Black & Veatch: Why fixed charges are a solution to the solar conundrum

B&V's Dr. Overcast explains why utility fixed charges are an efficient price signal to consumers. 

By Dr. H. Edwin Overcast • March 10, 2015

Kansas utility Westar Energy seeks higher fixed charges

Westar's proposed rate hike shifts a greater percentage of the utility's costs to fixed charges.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

Washington Post: Utility industry is 'waging a campaign' against rooftop solar

Back in 2012, the industry identified rooftop solar as a long-term threat to its business model, according to documents.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2015

What SunEdison's big buy into battery storage could offer utilities

Solar and wind power plants with storage means a new value proposition for utilities and independent power producers.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2015

SunEdison acquires leading battery storage provider Solar Grid Storage

The Solar Grid Storage CEO says he wants PPA-like certainty for financial returns on solar systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 6, 2015

Drawing controversy, solar net metering study finds $2M cost shift in Louisiana

Solar advocates call utility-funded study “biased.”

By Herman K. Trabish • March 6, 2015

Why it's so hard to monetize the distribution grid

Utilities and regulators must move quickly to set up markets beyond the substation.

By Gavin Bade • March 6, 2015

SolarCity moves into New Mexico, its 16th state

The biggest U.S. installer will market to PNM customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2015

CA bill would let non-utilities sell electricity to commercial, industrial customers

SB 286 worries utilities and ratepayer advocates, but tech companies back it.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2015

Inside California's plans to jump-start community solar development

The California community solar market could be huge if regulators don’t make it unaffordable and unpredictable.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2015

What's behind solar price variability, and why utilities get the best deals

Solar prices can vary widely, but research shows the most informed customers always seem to stay ahead of the curve.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2015

Two Arizona solar companies admit fraud

Attorney General Mark Brnovich has reached settlements with two solar companies over false cost and benefit claims.

By Robert Walton • March 5, 2015

SolarCity sues Salt River Project over increased charges for solar customers

The anti-trust suit alleges SRP is an anti-competitive player in its market.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 4, 2015

Where the grid edge transformation is happening first and why

New analysis from GTM Research look at what factors will push the U.S. utility sector into the future.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2015

All about the REV: How and why New York wants to develop distributed energy markets

Audrey Zibelman's vision: Taking deregulation to its logical conclusion. 

By Davide Savenije • March 3, 2015

Study: Net metering is a net positive for Missouri

A Missouri Energy Initiative study estimates solar owners pay only 20% less in grid infrastructure charges.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 2, 2015

Trivedi on NY's REV order: Why the utility should not be the DSP

New York's REV is innovative, but regulators should not let utilities own and operate the Distributed System Platform (DSP), writes consultant Navneet Trivedi. 

By Navneet Trivedi • March 2, 2015

Beyond the substation: How 5 proactive states are transforming the grid edge

Regulators are reshaping the role of the distribution system.

By Gavin Bade • March 2, 2015

Regulators: HECO must continue to interconnect rooftop solar systems

The agreement affirms the Public Utilities Commission ability to determine what is in the best interest of customers.

By Robert Walton • March 2, 2015

Bills to end retail rate net metering fail in West Virginia, Indiana

Solar advocates expect further attacks from American Electric Power and other utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 27, 2015

HECO accused of slowing solar interconnects to max out NextEra merger value

Utility says it is protecting solar owners in high PV penetration areas.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 27, 2015

SRP board votes to increase charges on solar owners

Arizona's history of contention between utilities and solar installers gets another juicy chapter.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 27, 2015

Idaho bill would let EV charging stations sell power back to grid

The bill could pave the way for the state's utilities to own and operate EV charging stations.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 27, 2015

NY regulators issue groundbreaking REV order

Regulators tell utilities to develop Distributed System Platforms.

By Davide Savenije • Feb. 26, 2015

Google to invest $300M in SolarCity

New $750 million SolarCity fund will finance rooftop solar installations. 

By Davide Savenije • Feb. 26, 2015