California solar advocates win victory over utility rate changes

A California PUC law judge rejects utility plans to slash high-tier rates, which would have hurt solar's competitiveness.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 28, 2014

Utilities adapt as solar rises in the Southeast

Falling solar prices has caused Southeast utilities to rethink their stance towards the technology.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 28, 2014

New England's second-largest power plant to retire

The coal-fired Brayton Point plant will retire despite its "must run" status.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 28, 2014

Conservatives split on rooftop solar

Tea Party Republicans are working with solar advocates in various states.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

Wyoming wind power could save California $750M

An NREL study points to major savings. But power lines need to be built to deliver the wind energy to California.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

California city mandates solar for all new homes

The solar rule is part of the city's effort to be the first net-zero energy city in the world.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

Lux Research: Solar prices to fall by up to 30% by 2020

With lower costs, Lux expects solar prices to fall by up to 8 cents/kWh by 2020.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 24, 2014

New England seeks more power lines for renewables

New England's power supply could be remade by plans to add power lines for renewables and increase natural gas pipeline capacity.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

Duke Energy wants to cut solar subsidies in N.C.

Duke Energy is joining the list of utilities that want to cut how much they pay customers with rooftop solar.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

Iowa Supreme Court to decide third-party solar case

Iowa utilities contend that third-party solar operators illegally infringe on their customers.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

The forgotten renewable: A user's guide to geothermal

Geothermal offers baseload power and is backed by some major companies. It may be ready for a bigger role in the renewable sector.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 22, 2014

Lawsuit seeks to block Massachusetts offshore wind project

The suit against Cape Wind argues that states cannot direct utilities to enter into power supply contracts.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 22, 2014

Debate over Puget Sound's resource plan centers on coal plant

Environmental groups want to see the 2,100-MW coal-fired Colstrip plant shut down.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 22, 2014

Wisconsin lags behind region on renewable requirements

Little change is expected for Wisconsin's renewable policies.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 22, 2014

NREL: Wind farms can help manage the grid

Instead of being a passive part of the grid, wind farms can be used to help manage the system, according to an NREL study.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 21, 2014

Demand in ERCOT grew 2.1% in 2013

As demand rises, coal and wind increase their share of the generation mix in ERCOT.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 21, 2014

Four solar trends to watch in 2014

Financial innovation and bundled storage systems top the list.

By Davide Savenije , Bill Opalka • Jan. 17, 2014

Alabama Power to cut coal fleet by 20%

The Southern Co. unit plans to convert 1,600 MW of coal to natural gas.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 17, 2014

Oregon RPS may be tweaked to avoid larger battle

The fight is driven by small utilities concerned about RPS compliance costs.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 17, 2014

Solar companies find new ways to raise capital

Solar's new financing options range from "yield cos" to selling securities directly to retail investors.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 17, 2014

FERC: Polar vortex broke winter demand records across half of U.S.

Demand response programs helped grid operators deal with the freezing weather, according to FERC.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 17, 2014

Elon Musk's master plan for a clean energy future

One of the world's richest citizens wants to leave today's fossil fuel-based economy in the dust. Here's how he's doing it.

By Davide Savenije • Jan. 16, 2014

Geothermal capacity grew in 2013

Geothermal grows as 13 states pass supporting laws in 2013.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 16, 2014

Maine off-shore wind project gets power purchase deal

The PPA for the 12-MW wind project revives outlook for offshore wind in Maine, but hurdles remain.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 16, 2014

California regulators call for more efficiency, demand response

Efficiency and demand response is needed to meet Southern California's growing power needs, according to a state energy plan.

By Ethan Howland • Jan. 16, 2014