Fitch: Financial innovation to fuel residential solar growth

Already under fire, the traditional utility model will face further challenges from new investor classes and financing arrangements.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 26, 2014

How Sacramento's public utility is getting in the residential solar business

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District wants to be customers' trusted advisor on all things solar. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 25, 2014

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

TVA picks new $975M natural gas plant over coal plant retrofit

The TVA directors cut coal and add flexibility that could eventually support new renewables.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 25, 2014

Calpine to buy Exelon's Fore River gas-oil plant in New England

Oil-burning capacity for next winter is worth $655 per kilowatt.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 25, 2014

Massive solar project lands SoCal Edison contract, but Duke Energy withdraws as investor

Duke Energy won't say why it will no longer be contributing to the 247-MW project in California. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2014

Verizon invests $40M to expand distributed solar program

The company will install more than 10 MW of solar generating capacity at eight of its facilities.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2014

Judge: Perception trumps reality in transmission line siting dispute

A group of utilities seeking to build a power line in Minnesota must purchase all of an organic dairy farm because of the perceived threat of high-voltage transmission projects.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 25, 2014

The state of the U.S. wind industry (and what it means for utilities)

Costs are dropping and capacity factors are rising -- but are utilities noticing?

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 25, 2014

TVA raises rates, lowers spending

TVA said the rate increase was "modest" and below the rate of inflation.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2014

Hawaiian Electric inks deal with Canada's biggest utility to liquefy natural gas

Hawaii’s high power rates make the challenges of LNG worth taking on.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 23, 2014

FERC studying electricity market reforms

Chair LaFleur says price signals need to grow generation to supplement renewables’ advances.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 23, 2014

Dynegy to buy 12,500 MW for $6.25B

The power company will acquire Duke Energy's Midwest unregulated generation business and Energy Capital Partners' assets in New England and PJM. 

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 22, 2014

Duke Energy to face Florida regulators in build or buy debate

Duke wants to build its own new natural gas plant and Calpine wants to sell it a used one. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 21, 2014

PG&E CEO: Billions in San Bruno explosion fines will not bankrupt us

Large fines could, however, send the utility into capital markets in search of financing.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2014

AES sees lithium ion batteries as future of energy storage business

The company says lithium-ion storage is cheaper than gas peaking plants.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 21, 2014

The 10 states with the highest electricity prices

The most expensive state's electricity prices are three times the national average.

By Davide Savenije • Aug. 20, 2014

Tucson Electric Power proposes new utility-owned rooftop solar program

The move comes shortly after Arizona Public Service proposed its own rooftop solar project.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2014

Solar industry faces looming module supply shortage, possible price spikes

Installations could be up 30% this year, challenging the industry’s module-making capacity.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 19, 2014

Pinnacle West forms new company to develop transmission out West

The two companies formed a 50-50 partnership to pursue the recently-approved Delaney-Colorado River 500 kV line.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 19, 2014

IPL to convert last Harding Street coal unit to gas

With federal emission and pollution regulations, gas is the “least-cost option.”

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2014

Boulder to spend 'significantly more' as municipalization kicks into high gear

With $30 million in annual profits at stake, Xcel’s resistance could make the plan unaffordable.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2014

PJM sees highest power prices since 2008

The 84% increase over the first half of 2013 is not expected to be a trend.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 18, 2014

Billionaire-backed group protests Florida governor's relationship with Duke Energy

A protest took place at the utility's state headquarters as a new commercial aired on TV. 

By Robert Walton • Aug. 17, 2014

Public opinion mixed on Indianapolis Power & Light's electric car-sharing plans

IPL and the city of Indianapolis have partnered with Bollore to provide an electric vehicle sharing program, but there are concerns over who will pay for it.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 15, 2014

Emerson wants to sell transmission business for $1B or more

The industrial conglomerate will divest transmission to focus on bigger growth areas.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 14, 2014