Solar federal tax credit extension could boost installations 54%

Amid news that Congress is considering a five-year extension of the solar investment tax credit, GTM Research is predicting a 54% increase in installations through 2020 compared to if the credit program was allowed to lapse.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2015

Will business adoption of solar stall or surge?

E Source's Bill LeBlanc shares what he has learned about business adoption of solar — and what utilities should do about it.

By Bill LeBlanc • Dec. 16, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles, are experiencing significant growth in the U.S. as the power sector evolves to a cleaner, less centralized future.

By Utility Dive staff

Congress strikes deal to extend wind, solar tax credits and lift oil export ban

House Republicans unveiled a broad spending bill Tuesday night includes provisions to extend key tax breaks for wind and solar installations in exchange for lifting the 40-year-old ban on oil exports from the United States.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 16, 2015

ComEd lobbies Illinois lawmakers to develop 6 microgrids

Commonwealth Edison wants to develop a half dozen microgrids in the state, but will need lawmakers to approve its Future Energy Plan, legislation that would fund the northern Illinois projects.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2015

SolarCity admits funding outside group targeting Arizona utility regulators

The solar installer called on APS, Arizona’s top electric utility, to disclose the groups it funds as well.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2015

Hawaiian Electric clears rooftop solar backlog, readying it for post-net metering era

Hawaiian Electric Co. approved  2,749 solar applications from its October 2014 backlog, the last remaining customers that will receive the retail rate net energy metering credit in the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2015

How utilities are meeting rising corporate demand for renewables

U.S. companies are bypassing utilities to buy renewables, but three new IOU programs hold promise for power company involvement in the burgeoning sector. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 14, 2015

Sunrun files lawsuit against Nevada governor to get text messages with NV Energy

The solar company is seeking evidence that Gov. Sandoval sought advice from utility lobbyists.   

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 11, 2015

El Paso council rejects Texas utility's proposal to create solar customer class

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has the final say in EPE's $71.5 million rate increase proposal. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

HECO delays $350M smart grid project until 2016

Hearings for the proposed Hawaiian Electric Industries merger with NextEra Energy are ongoing, with NextEra saying its smart grid expertise is something the Florida utility has to offer. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

Santee Cooper board approves fixed charges for solar users

Solar advocates say the public utility's additonal charges to solar owners defies South Carolina’s solar legislation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2015

Vermont utility teams with Tesla to offer home battery installment plan

The system will cost $6,500 but the expense can be decreased by sharing the storage capacity with Green Mountain Power, the utility said.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 7, 2015

As IOUs push solar, Santee Cooper rate plan draws ire of South Carolina greens

Clean energy activists say the state's public utility is dragging its feet on solar while IOUs charge ahead.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015

EIA: Small-scale installations make up a third of solar generation

The U.S. Energy Information Administration has begun including small-scale solar installations in monthly generation data.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 4, 2015

New York town mulls defection from utility grid

Nassau, N.Y., is considering leaving National Grid to provide power for municipal services through solar panels and wind turbines.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 4, 2015

San Diego City Council readies 100% renewables mandate for approval

Under the city's proposed Climate Action Plan, community choice aggregation could take the place of utility power procurement.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 4, 2015

Smart city, smart utility: A formidable union for urban sustainability

In this guest post, officials from Black & Veatch highlight new opportunities for power sector players in building sustainable cities. 

By Jennifer James and Mike Bossom • Dec. 2, 2015

5 drivers making 100% renewables possible

A new paper offers companies and governments a toolkit to implement five transformative opportunities and reach big renewables targets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 2, 2015

Entergy Louisiana will reduce solar remuneration after hitting net metering cap

Other Louisiana utilities expected to hit the cap soon, leaving the state's solar future in doubt. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 2, 2015

How remote microgrid systems are driving capacity growth for the sector

Microgrids in areas far from the traditional utility grid are driving rapid growth in capacity. But while the value proposition behind the projects may be simple, execution is anything but.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 2, 2015

How NRG is testing the next step of energy storage: Vehicle-to-grid integration

NRG EVgo and University of California, San Diego are testing out electric vehicle batteries on UCSD's microgrid as an energy storage option. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 1, 2015

Bill Gates heads largest ever public-private partnership to fund clean energy

The "Breakthrough Energy Coalition" includes more than two dozen investors from around the globe, focused on backing innovative energy technologies.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 1, 2015

New trouble for NextEra merger as regulators slam Hawaiian Electric power supply plan

Unless NextEra offers a better plan, and fast, observers say the takeover bid could be in jeopardy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 1, 2015

Tesla competitor Sonnenbatterie unveils community solar-storage system

The German company says its new solar-storage-control system will make conventional utilities obsolete.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 30, 2015

SolarCity leaves TASC, denies split with advocacy partner Sunrun

The leading U.S. solar installer is moving to the Energy Freedom Coalition of America for broader advocacy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 25, 2015