North Carolina regulators reject solar third party ownership test case from green group

Duke Energy welcomed the decision, which sees it preserve its status as a monopoly electricity provider in its service area.  

By Herman K. Trabish • April 19, 2016

Exelon maintains microgrid push with Hartford, CT fuel cell project

Exelon subsidiary Constellation is building fuel cell microgrid in Hartford in a partnership with the city and Bloom Energy.

By Peter Maloney • April 18, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles, are experiencing significant growth in the U.S. as the power sector evolves to a cleaner, less centralized future.

By Utility Dive staff

Will LA's historic gas leak knock Hollywood's lights out this summer?

California's energy agencies are pushing a slew of measures to compensate for the Aliso Canyon gas leak, but the larger issue of the state's natural gas reliance remains.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 18, 2016

Maine lawmakers near approval of solar incentive bill, but still lack votes for veto override

Gov. Paul LePage, a frequent critic of renewable energy policies, is expected to veto the bill. 

By Gavin Bade, Herman Trabish • April 15, 2016

Video: NV Energy-backed group launches media campaign to keep solar net metering rates

A new statewide ad buy aims to counter efforts from solar installers to overturn lower net metering rates approved by regulators at the end of last year.

By Gavin Bade, Herman Trabish • April 15, 2016

Kicking the can: Massachusetts solar law buys time, but full incentive plan remains elusive

Massachusetts' new law lifts solar caps that stalled growth, but plans for a comprehensive incentive system are still in their early stages.

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 14, 2016

Inside Hawaiian Electric's new plan to get to 100% renewables

Liquefied natural gas, the NextEra merger and the role of DERs are the major sticking points emerging from the utility's new power supply plan.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 14, 2016

Utility-backed solar group raised over $7M to counter TPO proposal in Florida

While money troubles sunk the proposal that would have legalized third party ownership, the utility-backed measure created to counter it is cleared to appear on the ballot.  

By Herman K. Trabish • April 13, 2016

How Minnesota is approaching grid modernization as a vertically-integrated state

A new PUC report outlines the state's vision for grid modernization and previews coming regulatory debates.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 13, 2016

Kentucky regulators approve EV charging stations for utilities

Regulators allowed the utilities to add a combined 20 stations, more than doubling the number KU and LG&E currently operate.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2016

Why the time for utilities to promote EVs is now—and why the moment could quickly fade

Without a near-term push, EVs could languish and even lose ground.

By Michael Shepard • April 12, 2016

'Straight uphill': Power sector reforms face tough path in gridlocked Illinois legislature

Three utility-backed bills to support, nuclear generation, renewables and efficiency did not pass in the last session of the General Assembly. Stakeholders are now trying to role them into a single law.

By Peter Maloney • April 12, 2016

Aquion battery to meet overnight needs of Puerto Rican solar farm

An Aquion battery is being deployed at a 16 MW Puerto Rican solar farm to meet overnight needs.

By Peter Maloney • April 11, 2016

New Hampshire legislature doubles net metering cap to 100 MW

The new law also orders state regulators to ready a successor tariff when the new cap is reached. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 11, 2016

SolarCity closes $150M securitization for commercial solar+storage

SolarCity continued a string of securitizations with a $150-million financing from Credit Suisse.

By Peter Maloney • April 8, 2016

Community solar poised for growth as utilities gain confidence, familiarity

Two new reports detail a bright future for community solar as utilities and developers gain experience and realize the resource's potential.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 7, 2016

How California wants to align utility revenue models with DERs

A new CPUC proposal puts forth an innovative framework for utilities to earn a rate of return on DER procurements.

By Gavin Bade • April 7, 2016

HECO is testing Varentec devices to regulate voltage fluctuations from rooftop solar

Hawaii's main utility is conducting a pilot program aimed at testing Varentec devices to regulate voltage fluctuations from rooftop solar installations.

By Peter Maloney • April 7, 2016

'Wake up worrying': NextEra-Hawaiian Electric merger in doubt as regulators near decision time

NextEra's bid to buy Hawaiian Electric has failed to inspire state energy stakeholders, but the merger proceeding isn't a popularity contest.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2016

Report: Installed solar costs dropped 5% as consumers search for best value

EnergySage, an online marketplace for solar, released a report that also showed solar customers moving from leasing deals to solar loans. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2016

The $100B prize: Why EVs are the opportunity of the century for utilities

100 years ago, utilities were seen as innovators. Not anymore. Michael Shepard looks at how they can reclaim that legacy.

By Michael Shepard • April 5, 2016

Palo Alto city to pay double wholesale market price for solar energy contracts

The City Council of Palo Alto voted 6-1 to allow solar developers to sell solar energy at $0.16/kWh. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 2, 2016

Florida Supreme Court approves language for utility-backed solar amendment

The approval means the amendment pushed by the utility-backed Consumers for Solar Choice will land a place on the 2016 ballot in November. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 1, 2016

Chicago's REV: How ComEd is reinventing itself as a smart energy platform

ComEd wants to be the platform for a dynamic and distributed grid, but how they'll earn revenue on it remains an open question. Utility Dive spoke with CEO Anne Pramaggiore to learn more. 

By Gavin Bade • March 31, 2016

Maine solar power bill passes legislative committee

Maine's landmark solar bill was passed out of legislative committee and into the House of Representatives, but advocates fear it will not garner enough votes to potenially override Gov. Paul LePage's veto. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 31, 2016