SolarCity wants to help utilities plan better for distributed resources

The leading national solar installer has a new, innovative framework to modernize utilities’ interconnection, planning, procurement, and data sharing practices.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 27, 2015

Favorable weather helps SDG&E and CAISO both set renewables records

Bright sun and strong wind on August 19 meant SDG&E could generate more renewable power than ever before.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 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

Nevada regulators vote to keep retail rate net metering through end of year

Nevada has hit its 235-MW cap on net metering, but regulators this week voted to allow current rates to continue through the end of the year.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 27, 2015

Siemens to construct islanding microgrid on northern California reservation

The microgrid, designed for the Blue Lake Rancheria reservation, will test microgrid management software to predict power needs and control the grid without an operator present.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2015

How will utilities profit in the future? New York's REV initiative is trying to figure it out

The Empire State is remaking its utility industry, but one key piece – where the money comes from – remains elusive, and regulators are taking a fairly hands-off approach to finding the answer.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2015

How demand flexibility is about to transform electricity delivery

For utilties, when consumers use energy could become just as important to their bottom lines as if they generate it themselves.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 26, 2015

President Obama unveils executive actions to drive distributed energy growth

New loan programs and changes to the PACE program aim to help the nation meet the administration's goals of cutting carbon 32% by 2030.

By Gavin Bade • Aug. 25, 2015

President Obama calls for clean energy revolution: 'There is something big happening in America'

President Obama shows renewed passion in his legacy fights against climate change and for renewable energy.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 25, 2015

NV Energy hits net metering cap ahead of schedule, adding fuel to solar debate

The utility initially predicted it would hit the cap in 2016, which would have given regulators enough time to develop a new tariff.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 24, 2015

OG&E proposes demand charge for distributed generation owners

The fight over solar and the grid comes to Oklahoma, where just 200 people have rooftop solar in OG&E's territory.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 21, 2015

Vivint Solar, second biggest U.S. installer, flees Nevada after two weeks

The atmosphere surrounding the current net metering debate has led the solar installer to conclude it's not worth staying in the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2015

SolarCity CEO: California utilities 'want to kill solar'

Recent proposals from the three big California IOUs to eliminate retail rate net metering and implement solar charges have drawn the ire of California's solar industry.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 20, 2015

Arizona regulators push TEP's proposed net metering cut to 2016 rate case

Commission also orders utility to remove misleading customer notification about solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 20, 2015

Arizona regulators to hear APS proposal on increasing fixed charges for solar

A big battle is brewing in Arizona where a utility proposal would up the monthly cost of owning solar by $16.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 20, 2015

In SolarCity's 'new paradigm' for distribution planning, DERs come first

Top solar installer calls for new distribution system planning with priority on distributed resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2015

Solar installers ask Duke Energy to throw clout behind tax credit extension in N.C.

Duke Energy has long held it will neither support nor oppose the credits.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 18, 2015

Google launches Project Sunroof, a 'treasure map' for rooftop solar

A new tool helps homeowners calculate their rooftop solar potential. 

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 18, 2015

California regulators propose framework to put a value on DERs

Establishing value appears to be the first step to creating a distributed energy marketplace.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2015

Why solar financing is moving from leases to loans

"The market is still in its infancy, and it is yet to be decided which business models, financial products, or sales strategies will beat out the competition."

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 17, 2015

Solar stock prices drop on concerns about falling oil prices

The good news is solar fundamentals remain strong

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 15, 2015

German utility giant invests in behind-the-meter storage startup Stem

Companies expected to target commercial storage and solar plus storage applications.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2015

Inside the contentious fight over rooftop solar in Florida

Dueling ballot measures are testing Floridians’ ability to understand solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2015

Duke Energy joins push to standardize battery-grid interactivity

Utility will help create interoperability to drive energy storage market growth

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2015

Distributed solar prices in U.S. continue to fall for fifth straight year

Prices are now falling below $0.50 per watt in some states despite stable module costs, suggesting success soft cost cuts.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 13, 2015

Diary of a Grid Defector: Solar ain't easy, and other lessons learned from living off the grid

As reporter Robert Walton struggles to power his off-grid lifestyle, he makes a visit to a local engineering consulting firm to talk about industry transformation.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 12, 2015