Why utilities could soon face massive load defection, and how they can prevent it

A new study from the Rocky Mountain Institute shows that in coming decades millions of customers will be able to get off the grid completely, and that spells trouble for utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 7, 2015

Illinois Gov. signs law extending smart grid cost recovery

The law allows Commonwealth Edison and Ameren to continue recovering costs associated with grid improvements through 2019 without regulatory approval.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 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

APS proposes higher fixed charges for rooftop solar customers

Arizona Public Service wants fees raised to about $21 per month from about $5.

By Gavin Bade • April 6, 2015

DOE: Initial results show employee solar discount program growing

More than 1,400 employees engaged with a program that tied solar power to workplace benefits.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2015

World solar PV grew 26% in 2014, now more than 1% of electricity globally

Annual growth was only 2.9% higher than 2013, and the European market is fading.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 2, 2015

Why it can take so long to get rooftop solar connected to the grid

A new study on interconnection reveals that utilities and installers can both do more to cut delays.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 2, 2015

What's next in the energy storage boom, and what utilities need to know

Storage is growing fast, but where and how depends on the right mix of regulations and utility involvement.

By Gavin Bade • April 2, 2015

Three trends that get the grid to 70% renewables by mid-century

System operators and renewables builders have new metrics, new rules, and a new vision of the electricity delivery system.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 1, 2015

Solar runs up against net metering cap in Massachusetts

When no more solar is eligible for net metering, what will developers do?

By Herman K. Trabish • April 1, 2015

Settlement money from Duke Edwardsport case funds storage research

$1 million in Edwardsport settlement money will be invested to research renewables integration and resiliency capabilities of behind-the-meter batteries.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 31, 2015

Inside the new approach to finding the true value of solar

A new study argues that a well-designed value of solar program is the way out of the battles over net metering and fixed charges.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 31, 2015

Report: Los Angeles muni should boost solar to wean off coal

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power needs to streamline the permitting process to boost community solar projects.

By Robert Walton • March 31, 2015

HECO clears PV interconnection queues in Maui, Hawaii Islands

Pressure from regulators to gets results, with HECO nearing the end of its interconnection backlog.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 30, 2015

How APS, APPA, and NRECA would design a 'blank' electricity market

A new project from SEPA allows utilities and other energy stakeholders to design the "51st State."

By Gavin Bade • March 30, 2015

Austin Energy seeks up to 600 MW of solar contracts

The city's utility is targeting 55% renewable power on its system in the next 10 years.

By Robert Walton • March 30, 2015

Georgia Senate unanimously approves solar financing bill

HB 57, which would authorize third party ownership in the Peach State, now heads to the desk of Gov. Nathan Deal.

By Gavin Bade • March 27, 2015

Florida solar activists make significant step toward ballot initiative

Floridians for Solar Choice collected more than 73,000 signatures to loosen restrictions on energy sales in the state. 

By Robert Walton • March 27, 2015

New Hampshire bill would remove barriers for utility-owned rooftop solar

What was first a bill to boost net metering has been transformed after utility input, critics say.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 26, 2015

Tucson Electric Power proposes reduced net metering rate for solar customers

Customers with solar panels on their roof put more strain on the utility system than those who take traditional power service, the utility said.

By Robert Walton • March 26, 2015

What the solar market looks like now, and where it's headed

Can utility interest in solar's slowest-growing sector save it from a coming cliff?

By Herman K. Trabish • March 26, 2015

Tong and Wellinghoff: Are fixed charges a curse in disguise for investor-owned utilities?

The push for fixed charges won't benefit shareholders in the end, James Tong and Jon Wellinghoff argue in an opinion piece.

By James Tong and Jon Wellinghoff • March 25, 2015

D.C. bill would shield solar owners from new development blocking their panels

Legislation proposed in the nation's capital would protect the value of a homeowner's solar panels should their neighbor block out the sun.

By Robert Walton • March 25, 2015

Hawaii lawmakers consider bills to check NextEra-HECO merger

Sentiment is rising in favor of exploring a cooperative publicly-owned Hawaiian utility.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 25, 2015

New Jersey makes first awards in energy storage program to boost grid resiliency

13 behind-the-meter storage projects with nearly 9 MWs of capacity get funding from the state's energy storage program.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 24, 2015

North Carolina: The next big utility-solar showdown?

Popular and business community support for renewables could be about to take some political leverage back from North Carolina utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 24, 2015