Wisconsin Public Service seeks third fixed charge increase in three years

As WPS looks to add another $6 to monthly residential fixed charges, a state court tosses out an earlier fixed charge increase from We Energies saying it discriminates against solar owners.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 2, 2015

Arizona gears up for full cost-benefit solar value proceeding

Can a combination of cost-of-service and value-of-solar studies end the state's distributed generation wars?

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 2, 2015

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

Massachusetts House seeks 2,400 MW cap on net metering

Legislative leaders say they want to give residential solar some breathing room before they push to pass a comprehensive energy bill next year. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 29, 2015

FERC: Renewables account for over 60% of new generation in 2015

The latest energy infrastructure report from FERC finds wind up to 5.9% of U.S. generation capacity, while solar passes the 1% mark, even with the rooftop sector not included.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 28, 2015

Bipartisan coalition launches Congressional Battery Storage Caucus

The new group in the U.S. Congress aims to educate lawmakers about storage and push legislation to boost the industry.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 27, 2015

From theory to practice: The challenges in moving to 'Utility 2.0'

Executives from four major utilities spoke at ESNA 2015 about the trials and tribulations of putting more new technology on their grids. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2015

Comments on NY REV's Track 2 are in — and the utility sector has mixed feelings

As New York revamps the state's utility industry, there lies a simple question at the heart of the process: How will utilities make money in the future?

By Robert Walton and Gavin Bade • Oct. 27, 2015

Hawaii PUC chair defends landmark decision to end retail rate net metering

With business disruption expected, solar installers have filed a lawsuit against the regulators and requested an injunction.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 26, 2015

California's new demand response future begins

The state's new Demand Response Auction Mechanism could bring a vast array of resources into the power management fold.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 26, 2015

Pennsylvania PUC approves PECO's $274M reliability, microgrid program

The Philadelphia-based utility's proposal includes up to $100 million for a microgrid pilot to enhance grid resiliency. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 26, 2015

What comes after net metering: Hawaii's latest postcard from the future

Hawaii regulators offered two new remuneration schemes for rooftop solar in a landmark decision last week, along with new guidance on time of use rates.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 22, 2015

PG&E files reworked plan to install 7,500 EV chargers over 3 years

After California regulators rejected Pacific Gas & Electric's request to build more than 25,000 electric vehicle charging stations, the utility scaled back its proposal, but opponents say their concerns about the structure of the program remain. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2015

New TVA study puts solar's value at under retail rate of electricity

Critics say the range of value streams assessed by the utility is too narrow and does not include many grid and environmental benefits. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 21, 2015

NY regulators lift solar net metering caps until REV docket sets DER values

Retail rate remuneration to remain in place until regulators and utilities settle on a more comprehensive value for distributed resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 21, 2015

What's the value of energy storage? It's complicated

Experts at ESNA's conference last week discuss the complications of valuing storage.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 20, 2015

ESNA 2015: Why energy storage is key to a future with 'no more gas turbines'

The first days of the Energy Storage North America conference showed a sector brimming with optimism.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 15, 2015

Honey, I shrunk the grids: The emergence of 'nanogrids'

The falling cost of energy storage and solar panels is fueling the growth of “nanogrids,” small systems that often serve a single building, according to new research.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 14, 2015

Study: Integrating PacifiCorp and CAISO grids could create up to $9.1B in savings

Benefits of combining the electrical grids operated by CAISO and PacifiCorp can help Western states meet environmental goals and save $12.5 billion for customers on both grid systems over 20 years, according to a study. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 13, 2015

How 'grid neutrality' can build the backbone for the modern grid

Nagging debates over how, where and who should deploy distributed resources could be settled by principals that ensure an impartial grid, a new report argues.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 12, 2015

As regulators pump brakes, what's next for PG&E's EV charging program?

Ratepayer advocates convinced regulators the Golden State’s biggest electricity provider needs to be slowed down. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 7, 2015

Residential energy storage: The industry's next big thing

Utility-scale storage projects have been getting big press lately, but the market for small residential installations is poised to explode – and upend the energy market landscape.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 6, 2015

New Hampshire regulators cut renewables rebates by a third to preserve program

Program funding dropped from $17 million to $4 million as utilities deployed more renewables, decreasing their payments to a fund that financed the rebate scheme. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 5, 2015

Comcast expands home energy management with new partner Crius

The nation's largest cable provider has teamed up with Crius Energy to expand energy offerings in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New Jersey.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2015

Cost of Service? Arizona's solar saga takes on the valuation question

As APS backs a cost-of-service study to define the cost shift for non-solar customers, experts say such a move could set a nationwide precedent for solar's value. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 4, 2015

SolarCity touts its new rooftop solar panels as most efficient in the world

SolarCity will manufacture the 22.04% efficient silicon thin film hybrid PV module in New York and California, showing the fruits of vertical integration.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 2, 2015