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

To ITC or not to ITC: What happens if solar's federal tax incentives aren't extended

Without the ITC, the loss of potential solar capacity is equal to the total amount currently installed in the U.S., a new report finds.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 1, 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

SolarCity maintains 34% residential solar market share in 1H 2015

Four of the top five U.S. solar installers are vertically integrated, and the one that isn't is losing market share.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 1, 2015

SoCalEdison unveils new storage buys and RFO for distributed energy

The utility's request for offers officially names storage as an "eligible preferred resource."

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 30, 2015

CPUC puts PG&E electric vehicle charging program on hold

The commission will hold more hearings to determine the impact of utility EV charging investments on private charger builders and customers without electric cars.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 29, 2015

CPS Energy tackles the cost shift by building solar on its own terms

San Antonio muni CPS Energy has designed a utility solar program it believes is a winner for the customer, the installer and the utility – and will work for IOUs, too.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 29, 2015

How storage will shape the future of concentrated solar power

CSP may not be the hottest topic in the solar or storage sectors, but its backers point out that it offers large scale renewable generation that is in many cases fully dispatchable.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 29, 2015

New York to boost CHP systems for hospitals, schools by 10%

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is providing more than $41 million to the combined heat and power projects.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2015

New York funds 5 clean energy projects under REV for $175M

The largest of the projects will be a 100 MW wind farm being developed by RES America Developments in Chautauqua County.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2015

How to become the 'Utility of the Future?' Industry experts weigh in

The key to creating the utility of the future is combining consumer demands with emerging technology in smart grids, energy efficiency and distribution generation, experts said during the 2015 Solar Power International conference. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

Vermont's updated energy plan reaffirms 90% renewable goal

The plan calls for utilities to develop microgrids, renewable transporation and buildings as part of its goal to run mostly on renewable energy. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2015

Duke simplifies microgrid development process for NC fire department

Duke Energy has developed a microgrid using only standard utility equipment, in a pilot program aimed at boosting reliability at a North Carolina fire department while also lowering development costs on distributed resources.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2015

Hawaii PUC approves solar TOU rate pilot for co-op KIUC

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative will cut daytime power rates about 25% for participants in a bid to get them to utilize more solar during its peak generating hours.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2015

Diary of a Grid Defector: Small-scale solar activism in New York

Solar Seneca holds its community meetings in small-town high schools and libraries, where farmers sit next to shelves of old Nancy Drew mysteries and learn how they can generate their own power.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 24, 2015

Senate Dems pack climate bill full of clean energy goodies, but no carbon tax

A proposed climate bill introduced by U.S. Senate Democrats was expected to be mostly political messaging, but instead is an expansive platform of clean energy policies. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 24, 2015

What solar's latest growth numbers say about the sector's future

Solar growth is likely to set more records until the federal tax credits expire, but good state policies and utility buy in could fuel growth even if national incentives aren't extended.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 24, 2015

Climate Change: Why every utility, regulatory body, and DER company needs a point person for it

A look at how DER, and all of the different components and aspects of smart grid, fit into climate strategies and action plans.

Sept. 23, 2015

As solar cap looms, installers ask CA regulators for interim metering measures

Companies in San Diego Gas & Electric territory say business could soon come to a standstill as the region approaches its net metering cap. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2015

Younicos to construct first utility-scale Texas solar-storage project

The facility will be the first such utility-scale project in the ERCOT market, although smaller demonstration projects have shown promise in the state.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 22, 2015

Inside Southern California Edison's energy storage strategy

Nearly a year on from a monster storage buy, SCE President Pedro Pizarro spoke to Utility Dive about what his company's learned about storage and the next steps for its wider deployment.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 22, 2015

Energy Dept. unveils plan to double energy productivity by 2030

The DOE "roadmap" calls for updated vehicle standards, efficient rate designs, putting more information into hands of consumers and businesses reinvesting avoided energy costs.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2015

A good rate design is hard to find: Experts push utility-solar compromise

As utilties step up their efforts to compensate for perceived cost shifts caused by rooftop solar, getting rates right will be essential for both power company revenues and DER growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2015

SunPower: Keys to solar success are utility partners, being a 'good citizen of the grid'

The company's strong utility relationships have helped it grow in multiple solar sectors, an exec says.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 17, 2015

The top 10 trends transforming the electric power sector

From the decline of coal power to the rise of energy storage, big changes are quickly taking hold in the industry.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 17, 2015

EPRI, SunEdison partner to test storage in net-zero home project

SunEdison will supply battery systems for the 9 homes located in Fontata, California.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 17, 2015