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

Entergy brings Mississippi's first utility solar pilot project online

The 500 kW arrays will allow the utility to test solar economics and feasibility.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 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

Solar sector pleased as Nevada Gov. appoints Office of Energy head to PUC

Paul Thomsen, director of the Nevada Office of Energy, previously testified in favor of compelling the PUC to find a permanent net metering tariff.

By Krysti Shallenberger • 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

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

Negative RECs for community solar: Market failure or utility opportunity?

Bidding has driven prices for Renewable Energy Credits for community solar projects into negative territory in Colorado, and installers say that constrains their ability to serve all customers.

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

Portland General Electric could join CAISO Energy Imbalance Market

PGE reportedly turned away from the Northwest Power Pool to take advantage of millions in savings being realized by the imbalance market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 22, 2015

Green Mountain Power launches Vermont 'solar sharing' program

The Vermont utility offers a "Solar Sharing Network" aimed at broadening access to clean energy, further enhancing its reputation as a progressive power producer. 

By Robert Walton • 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

3 Arizona regulators face new allegations of bias against rooftop solar industry

The news comes as the Arizona Corporation Commission is poised to evaluate a proposed grid access fee for Arizona Public Service Co. net metering customers. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 21, 2015

Feds approve North Carolina ocean tract for offshore wind developments

The announcement puts 300,000 acres of ocean on track for lease bidding by the end of 2015.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2015

CA government, SMUD contract for 100% renewable power for state buildings

California's state government contract with local muni in Sacramento makes the Brown administration one of the biggest U.S. renewables buyers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 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

NRG will separate renewable, fossil generation in major reorganization

Amid mounting pressure from shareholders, the power sector giant will form a new clean energy business and transfer wind assets to its yieldco.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 18, 2015

Southern Co. jumpstarts operation of Georgia solar+storage test project

Southern Co. and the Electric Power Research Institute collaborate on the 1 MW system. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 18, 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

Ohio solar-storage project will be nation's largest, developer claims

S&C Electric will develop a 7-MW storage project to help an Ohio town manage peak energy use.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 17, 2015

Joe Biden at SPI: 'We are on the cusp of something huge'

In the first executive office visit to a solar conference, Vice President Joe Biden praised the renewable energy sector and took aim at its fossil fuel opponents.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 17, 2015

Tesla battery storage tapped for Texas' first community solar project

Austin Energy's community solar project is expected to come online next year, and will utilize a 1.5 MW storage system to help integrate the power.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2015

North Carolina budget compromise does not include renewable tax credit extension

The state's 35% tax credit for renewable energy projects is set to expire at the end of the year.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2015

CPUC pushed to study solar-storage further after filing pegs value at $0.25/kWh

California is at risk of improperly valuing storage unless it opens a separate regulatory track on its value, an industry group says. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 15, 2015