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

Wind builders bet on extension of federal tax credits in project planning

With over 70% of congressional districts holding a stake in wind, developers are optimistic.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 20, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Amid ITC concerns, Austin Energy approved for 450 MW of solar by 2019

Utility leaders and city lawmakers had to weigh the economics of building solar before the 30% ITC expires, or waiting and hoping that future price reductions outweigh a possible cut in federal incentives.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 20, 2015

Primer: The now and future impacts of energy storage

As renewables penetration grows, utilities will see the need for storage to move generation to when consumers use the most electricity.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 20, 2015

How digital power plant tech can help utilities get the most from their assets

GE says its new plant technology can yield up to $230M in annual benefits for a gas plant and $100M for a wind farm.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 19, 2015

NRDC: US has reached 'historic levels' of renewables, poised for greater gains

The United States has reached a new energy era, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2015

Defying the usual headlines: How utility-solar collaborations are helping solar grow

The Solar Electric Power Association awarded five utilities, individuals and partners for collaborating on policies and programs to push solar as a power resource at the Solar Power International conference earlier this year. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 15, 2015

Minnesota town targets 100% renewable energy by 2031

Rochester, Minn., is developing a plan to reach all clean energy in the next 15 years, the latest town in a growing trend to do so, and calls energy efficiency a "top priority."

By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2015

Duke launches solar rebate program in South Carolina

Duke plans expand its renewable energy footprint in the Palmetto State from less than 2 MW to at least 110 MW, with possibly more to come by 2021.

By Robert Walton • 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

Hawaii PUC ends net metering program

Hawaii's utility regulators ruled to end the state's net metering program, which drove rooftop solar installations in the state. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 14, 2015

Offshore wind developers worry US market will falter

At least one developer worries that if the United States can't get the offshore wind market moving in the next decade, the resource could miss its big opportunity.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 14, 2015

Facing coal retirements, Western utilities turn to cheap natural gas

While still integrating cleaner renewable energy, utilities are increasingly turning to natural gas as a cheap alternative to coal or out-of-state power.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 13, 2015

Developers add energy storage to Ohio solar project after law changes

The project is being touted as the largest storage project in Ohio and the largest solar+storage facility in the U.S.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 13, 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

Clean Energy Collective debuts program to enable IOUs to rate base community solar

A Clean Energy Collective program allows investor-owned utilities to earn a guaranteed return on community shared solar and fulfill customer demand without subsidizing costs for non-solar users. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 13, 2015

Green Charge Networks to bring aggregated energy storage into CAISO market

The move will help the state meet its new 50%-by-2030 renewables mandate. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 13, 2015

Arizona Public Service claims $67 monthly solar cost shift in new regulatory filing

Arizona Public Service Co. submitted a cost-of-service study ahead of its next rate case, detailing for the first time how much it thinks non-solar customers subsidize those with rooftop arrays. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 12, 2015

California finalizes 50%-by-2030 renewables mandate

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed into a law a 50% renewable mandate the jacks up the previous 33% mandate while calling for an increase 50% in energy efficiency for the state. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 8, 2015

Hardware shortages may slow solar growth in 2016

A rush to make solar projects eligible for the 30% investment tax credit before it sunsets is straining solar’s supply chain.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 8, 2015

Utility-scale solar booms as costs drop, challenging gas on price

Utility-scale solar is on the verge of edging out gas on price, and it offers cost benefits that fossil fuel plants lack.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 8, 2015

Mississippi continues to struggle with net metering policy

The Mississippi Public Service Commission has extended the comment period on a proposed net metering policy, and it is unclear when a decision will be made.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 8, 2015

IRS may redefine investment tax credit for energy projects

New definitions could affect rooftop solar, energy storage and other demand side resources. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 7, 2015

Developers propose competing $1.6B, 400 MW offshore wind projects in Hawaii

Hawaii’s strong ocean winds make offshore wind an economic choice, as a wind project developer say they can deliver power at a lower cost than the average Oahu electrical price. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 7, 2015

NextEra, HECO withdraw application for utility solar project on Oahu

Some had criticized the proposal, saying the PPA between NextEra and HECO represented a conflict of interest because the companies are trying to merge. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 7, 2015