In SolarCity's 'new paradigm' for distribution planning, DERs come first

Top solar installer calls for new distribution system planning with priority on distributed resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2015

Solar installers ask Duke Energy to throw clout behind tax credit extension in N.C.

Duke Energy has long held it will neither support nor oppose the credits.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 18, 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

Google launches Project Sunroof, a 'treasure map' for rooftop solar

A new tool helps homeowners calculate their rooftop solar potential. 

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 18, 2015

California regulators propose framework to put a value on DERs

Establishing value appears to be the first step to creating a distributed energy marketplace.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2015

Why solar financing is moving from leases to loans

"The market is still in its infancy, and it is yet to be decided which business models, financial products, or sales strategies will beat out the competition."

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 17, 2015

Solar stock prices drop on concerns about falling oil prices

The good news is solar fundamentals remain strong

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 15, 2015

German utility giant invests in behind-the-meter storage startup Stem

Companies expected to target commercial storage and solar plus storage applications.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2015

Inside the contentious fight over rooftop solar in Florida

Dueling ballot measures are testing Floridians’ ability to understand solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2015

Duke Energy joins push to standardize battery-grid interactivity

Utility will help create interoperability to drive energy storage market growth

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2015

Distributed solar prices in U.S. continue to fall for fifth straight year

Prices are now falling below $0.50 per watt in some states despite stable module costs, suggesting success soft cost cuts.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2015

Diary of a Grid Defector: Solar ain't easy, and other lessons learned from living off the grid

As reporter Robert Walton struggles to power his off-grid lifestyle, he makes a visit to a local engineering consulting firm to talk about industry transformation.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 2015

Alliant Energy reverses stance, agrees to net meter third party solar

The change opens the door for an Iowa solar boom led by third party financing.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 11, 2015

Elon Musk: Demand for Tesla batteries 'has been really crazy'

Tesla has hinted it may further expand its Gigafactory and said it is in talks with utilities about how storage will be integrated into their distribution grids.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 10, 2015

Is New Hampshire solar racing toward a brick wall?

The failure of state legislators to extend the net metering cap could hurt solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 7, 2015

CA utilities, solar installers on same page in renewables mandate lobbying

Usually opponents in policy debates, both groups want rooftop solar counted toward the state's renewables standards.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 7, 2015

The other death spiral utilities are beginning to deal with

Key corporate customers are clamoring for more renewables, and will get it from someone else if the utility won't provide. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 6, 2015

Michigan senate bill would erode the value of net metering for solar owners

Change from retail rate to wholesale rate remuneration could double the time it takes to pay off a solar system.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 6, 2015

APS must ask for its solar fee increase in a rate case, Ariz. judge rules

The utility's next rate case, a request for a boost from $0.70 per kW to $3 per kW for solar owners, must wait until 2016.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 6, 2015

CA utilities call for solar remuneration cuts, fixed and demand charges

The solar industry wants retail rate net metering until 2019 to compensate for tax credits due to expire.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 5, 2015

Report: Storage boom to rival solar as battery prices drop 40-60% by 2020

Falling battery storage prices will open up a wide range of options for consumers, but the new technology comes with its own set of risk and rewards.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 4, 2015

PG&E, BMW get electric vehicle demand response program rolling

The BMW iChargeForward program provides more than $1,500 in incentives for customers who allow Pacific Gas & Electric to control their electric vehicle charging.  

By Robert Walton • Aug. 4, 2015

Arizona utilities set to meet 2016 renewables mandates with solar

Tucson Electric, meanwhile, has asked state regulators to define community shared solar as distributed generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2015

Arizona readies consumer protections for solar leasing as installers protest

The new rules reinforce disclosures, guarantees and contract limits in existing law.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 3, 2015

FirstEnergy, AEP push Ohio regulators for solar policy cutbacks

The utilities want renumeration below retail rates and cuts in the amount of solar electricity they must buy.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 31, 2015

Inside New York's aggressive new community shared renewables program

A carefully crafted program will allow buy-in for those without solar-suitable roofs, from the crowded boroughs of Manhattan to the shady lanes upstate.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 30, 2015