APS must ask for its solar fee increase in a rate case, Ariz. judge rules

The utility's next rate case, a request for a boost from $0.70 per kW to $3 per kW for solar owners, must wait until 2016.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 6, 2015

CA utilities call for solar remuneration cuts, fixed and demand charges

The solar industry wants retail rate net metering until 2019 to compensate for tax credits due to expire.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 5, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Distributed Energy Resource Growth

Utilities' traditional reliance on large power plants is shifting to a model that includes distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar, battery storage and even electric vehicles.

By Utility Dive staff

Report: Storage boom to rival solar as battery prices drop 40-60% by 2020

Falling battery storage prices will open up a wide range of options for consumers, but the new technology comes with its own set of risk and rewards.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 4, 2015

PG&E, BMW get electric vehicle demand response program rolling

The BMW iChargeForward program provides more than $1,500 in incentives for customers who allow Pacific Gas & Electric to control their electric vehicle charging.  

By Robert Walton • Aug. 4, 2015

Arizona utilities set to meet 2016 renewables mandates with solar

Tucson Electric, meanwhile, has asked state regulators to define community shared solar as distributed generation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 4, 2015

Arizona readies consumer protections for solar leasing as installers protest

The new rules reinforce disclosures, guarantees and contract limits in existing law.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 3, 2015

FirstEnergy, AEP push Ohio regulators for solar policy cutbacks

The utilities want renumeration below retail rates and cuts in the amount of solar electricity they must buy.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 31, 2015

Inside New York's aggressive new community shared renewables program

A carefully crafted program will allow buy-in for those without solar-suitable roofs, from the crowded boroughs of Manhattan to the shady lanes upstate.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 30, 2015

ConEd will enter NY rooftop solar market through unregulated subsidiary

ConEdison Solutions’ third party owned product will use SunPower modules and be available at no upfront cost to the consumer.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 30, 2015

NY regulators propose groundbreaking new utility models under landmark REV order

Today, utility earnings are not aligned with optimizing distributed energy resources. New York aims to change that with track two of the REV docket.

By Davide Savenije • July 29, 2015

Why the future of microgrids won't look like the past

Microgrid capacity is expected to double in the next five years, but the new wave of small grids won't look much like the old.

By Robert Walton • July 29, 2015

SolarCity eyes 'neglected' small commercial market with new solar product

The product will only be available in California now, with plans to expand to the east coast and other states in early 2016.

By Davide Savenije • July 28, 2015

NRG Energy moves into community shared solar

With the debut of a new project in Massachusetts, NRG becomes community shared solar's first vertically integrated developer.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 28, 2015

SoCal Edison seeks renewables, 'just-in-time' battery solutions in RFPs

The is pressing for vendors to develop smaller plug-and-play battery systems which can be installed within a matter of months.

By Robert Walton • July 28, 2015

Iowa co-op proposes one of the highest fixed solar charges in nation

Owner-members with DG say the $85 per month violate Iowa law against “discriminatory rates or charges."

By Herman K. Trabish • July 27, 2015

Mass. senate passes increased net metering cap on bipartisan voice vote

The provision would double the limit on net metered solar and kick start solar planning among state regulators.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 27, 2015

Hawaii regulators pushed to consider co-op as alternative to HECO merger

The filing marks the first time regulators have formally been asked to consider a co-op as an alternative to the sale of Hawaii's dominant electric provider.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 24, 2015

Utility-scale solar is significantly cheaper than rooftop. Does that make it better?

The cost numbers don't lie, but critics say they don't tell the whole story of rooftop solar's value.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 23, 2015

Report: Wait times for rooftop solar interconnection jumped 68% 2013-2014

And as more regulations govern distributed resources, the time needed to interconnect systems will likely increase, absent rules to streamline the process.  

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2015

Ohio efficiency, renewables mandates may return after last year's freeze

But lawmakers are currently debating the appropriate levels, and some elected officials want to do away with the targets entirely.  

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2015

Assessing the costs and benefits of distributed energy to the grid of the future

The Electric Power Research Institute is working to perfect a method to calculate distribute energy’s costs and benefits for all stakeholders.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 23, 2015

Renewables account for 70% of generation adds in first 6 months of 2015

18 new wind projects and more than 500 MW of large solar meant renewables outpaced gas additions.

By Robert Walton • July 23, 2015

For top utilities, customer satisfaction hinges on empowerment

It's not enough to provide reliable, affordable power anymore. If you want satisfied customers, you've got to provide them with timely, actionable information.

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2015

New Murkowski bill aims to boost microgrid development for remote communities

The legislation could also help communities in Hawaii and U.S. territories diversify their energy source.

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2015

With state funding, 83 New York communities planning microgrids

With $100,000 to spend on a feasibility study, several municipalities are still seeking engineering help with proposals to boost reliability.

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2015