Why the installed price of distributed solar keeps dropping

Module prices are flat, but the industry is increasingly effective at cutting soft costs, a new Berkeley Lab report finds.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 10, 2015

Hawaii co-op, SolarCity ink deal for dispatchable power from solar-storage project

The goal is to use the power, which can be stored in a 52 MWh battery, for peak shaving purposes in the evenings. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 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

CPS Energy gets 1,200 applications for its rooftop solar program in first 48 hours

The program will place solar panels on a customer roof at no charge, in exchange for bill credits.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 10, 2015

How Massachusetts utilities plan to modernize their grids and rate designs

Across the country, states are taking a hard look at how to bring their electric grids into the modern era. But for Massachusetts, operating in a regional market means taking a more cautious approach to change.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2015

What's behind the 900% growth in energy storage in Q2 2015

2015 continues to look like it will be “the biggest year for U.S. energy storage deployment in history," GTM Research found in it's most recent quarterly report. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 8, 2015

Solar face-off taking shape in Michigan as new bill would expand net metering

The new proposal would expand the state's net metering program, allow for the development of community solar gardens and set the fair value price for projects up to 500KW.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2015

CA industry group pegs value of solar-plus-storage at 25 cents/kWh

The California Energy Storage Alliance wants a special role for energy storage in state regulatory policy as it moves toward 50% renewable generation.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2015

Stem, PG&E bid aggregated energy storage into CAISO real-time market

The transaction was a part of Pacific Gas and Electric’s Supply-Side Pilot, a project which enables customer-sited, demand-side resources to participate in the California ISO wholesale markets as demand response.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 8, 2015

Plug-and-play storage startup Orison seeks to challenge Tesla in residential market

The company's 2 kWh battery simply plugs into a standard outlet, can keep a home's lights on during a power outage, and has built-in demand management functions, the CEO says.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 4, 2015

Florida solar advocates, utility backers face off in court over TPO ballot proposals

Lawyers for solar advocates say the language qualifies for the 2016 ballot, and utility lawyers argue it misleads.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 3, 2015

Community solar investors could qualify for federal tax credits, IRS ruling indicates

The Internal Revenue Service has given the first indication that a 30% tax credit usually reserved for individual projects can also apply to ownership in shared solar farms.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 3, 2015

Mass. utilities target TOU rates, DER integration in grid modernization filings

Similar to California and New York, utilities in Massachusetts are being asked to envision what the electric grid of the future will look like.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2015

NextEra promises grid upgrades, commitment to 100% renewables in HEI merger filing

The utility made 50 new promises to Hawaiians, saying its deal to buy Hawaiian Electric will save consumers hundreds of millions of dollars. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 2, 2015

Whatever happened to Oncor's big energy storage plans?

The utility says gigawatt-scale storage can be cost effective in Texas, but the state's electricity market rules are holding the technology back.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 1, 2015

AEP invests $5M in storage software company Greensmith

The Maryland-based company offers turnkey energy storage solutions that could help the utility monetize the benefits of grid-scale batteries.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 1, 2015

AZ regulators call for formal policy to prevent utility donations in commission elections

The letter from two ACC commissioners aims to prevent a repeat of 2014, when allegations of dark money donations from APS clouded the regulatory election.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 1, 2015

As regulators act, Nevada net metering debate takes center stage at Las Vegas conference

Nevada regulators called for a deep dive into NEM policy last week as national leaders converged on Vegas for a clean energy summit. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 31, 2015

CPUC turns down SDG&E proposal for new peak pricing periods

Time varying rates are coming and defining when demand is peaking will be crucial in identifying consumer costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 31, 2015

Iowa co-op withdraws proposed $57.50 fixed fee for solar owners

Pressured by customer advocates, the co-op takes back a controversial cost of service study.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 31, 2015

Microgrids on the table as DC stakeholders look to boost reliability in nation's capital

The District of Columbia is about three weeks away from kicking off a workshop examining how microgrids can help power stability in the nation's capital.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2015

Report: New York REV initiative leaving out low income customers

The state is overhauling its utility industry, but is New York doing enough to ensure low-income consumers see the benefits as well?

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2015

Energy Storage Assn: Renewable tax breaks not optimal, but necessary

Until the U.S. market properly values clean energy and renewable generation then some subsidies will be required, according to the head of the Energy Storage Association.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2015

Kansas regulators grant Westar rate hike, but push off solar fee decision

Kansas regulators have approved a $78 million rate increase for Westar Energy, the largest utility in the state.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 28, 2015

Is variable pricing the way out of Hawaii's solar wars?

Rates that vary with the grid’s needs may change customer behaviors, but will they settle the cost shift question?

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 27, 2015

Colorado PUC ruling maintains retail rate net metering 'status quo'

The PUC rejected Xcel's request to reduce the rate at which they pay solar customers for energy they generate.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 27, 2015