Solar & Renewables
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US hit record $55.5B renewables investments in 2019
A slow start to 2019 ended with a flurry of offshore and onshore wind investments led by the U.S., China and Europe.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 17, 2020 -
Deep Dive2020 Outlook: Utilities will be pushed to further embrace distributed energy resources
As net metering fades, some states will move ahead with new visions for DERs, while others are playing catch-up.
By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 17, 2020 -
New York says new renewables financing option to reduce developers' financial risk, save $4.6B
In addition to approving a new way to fund renewable energy projects in the state, the Public Service Commission yesterday directed $2 billion in utility energy efficiency and building electrification spending.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 17, 2020 -
PepsiCo to get all its US electricity from renewable sources
The maker of its namesake soda, Gatorade and Doritos plans to reach the target later this year. America accounts for nearly half of its total global electricity consumption.
By Christopher Doering • Jan. 16, 2020 -
Deep Dive2020 Outlook: US renewable resources on steady course for increased deployment
"In 2020, there’s sort of a 'come on in, the water's warm' element of excitement and momentum" around renewable energy procurement, one analyst said.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 16, 2020 -
Tri-State announces major renewables shift with 1 GW in new projects, but questions remain
Tri-State announced a total of six new wind and solar projects and a forecast of 50% renewables use by its members by 2024, along with plans to abandon a proposed coal plant in Kansas.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 16, 2020 -
BLM OKs $1B California desert solar project praised for balanced approach amid ongoing controversy
The Natural Resources Defense Council said the 450 MW project balanced solar development and natural resource protection, but a potential federal update to a California desert energy plan remains a point of contention.
By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 16, 2020 -
Wind + solar expected to add 61 GW over next two years: EIA
Renewable energy is expected to grow quickly alongside steady natural gas growth as more capacity is needed to replace retiring coal.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020 -
Early utility regulator retirement gives Wisconsin opportunity to move on third party solar impasse
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, a renewable energy proponent, will have the chance to shift the state's utility regulatory body toward his agenda after Commissioner Mike Huebsch's early retirement.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 15, 2020 -
OpinionWill deep decarbonization include nuclear? Possibly, with many caveats
Nuclear has a potential role in a low carbon future only if it is guaranteed to deliver electricity at a levelized cost under $0.076/kWh, the author writes.
By Levin Nock • Jan. 14, 2020 -
Deep Dive2020 Outlook: 10 trends driving the US power sector
From utilities to states to grid operators, the energy transformation is accelerating, but significant challenges remain.
By Larry Pearl • Jan. 13, 2020 -
Seattle to transition city-owned buildings away from fossil fuels
The first round of building electrification plans are due this summer after an executive order from Mayor Jenny Durkan advancing a Green New Deal.
By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 13, 2020 -
Renewable advocates highlight 'most effective' path to net-zero emissions as House releases clean energy framework
The CLEAN Future Act is set to be introduced by House Democrats later this year.
By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 10, 2020 -
Google, NV Energy renewable megadeal includes rare storage component
The deal includes 350 MW of solar and up to 280 MW of energy storage, but storage deals for corporate buyers often don't pencil out, an analyst said, because the renewable generation is already fairly cheap.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2020 -
Tri-State to shut New Mexico, Colorado coal plants by 2030, but move may not satisfy unhappy members
While environmental advocates called it "a step in the right direction," they said Tri State's plan does not fully address concerns about energy prices and the ability of members to develop local renewable resources.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2020 -
Corporate solar sector funding rises to $11.7B, buoyed by debt financing
After sharp declines from the middle of the last decade, VC, public market and debt financing of solar companies increased slightly from 2018 to 2019.
By Matthew Bandyk • Jan. 09, 2020 -
Reduced coal generation drove power sector greenhouse emissions down 10% in 2019, report says
Meanwhile, coal plant retirements between 2005 and 2016 saved an estimated 26,610 lives, 570 million bushels of crops and had significant climate impacts, another study found.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 08, 2020 -
Bipartisan bill aims to end Dominion's monopoly in Virginia
Dominion and other utilities oppose efforts to deregulate retail markets, saying it can increase costs, but similar bills are expected this year in Florida, Colorado and other states.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 08, 2020 -
PJM: Electric vehicles could boost load 1.5 GW by 2035
One industry group says the forecast is likely too modest, as the addition of a plug-in vehicle can nearly double a household's electric consumption and adoption is expected to rise rapidly.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 07, 2020 -
South Carolina raises rates Dominion must pay to solar providers, reversing earlier decision
Dominion would have paid some of the lowest avoided cost rates in the country, according to clean energy groups, and the new decision is more consistent with directives under the state's Energy Freedom Act.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 07, 2020 -
OpinionFERC's clean energy boycott distorts PJM prices and discards history
The new rules approved for PJM's capacity auction will force the grid operator to buy more capacity than it needs to keep the lights on, according to Harvard energy lawyer Ari Peskoe.
By Ari Peskoe • Jan. 07, 2020 -
Deep DiveMaking the case for billion-dollar investments in grid modernization by answering 3 key questions
Boston Consulting Group’s framework prioritizes the business case for grid mod investments to win stakeholder and regulator backing for billion-dollar spending.
By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 06, 2020 -
Judge tells Michigan regulators to send DTE back to drawing board on its long-term resource plan
The Administrative Law Judge criticized the utility's calculations of its energy needs and rejected its plan for failing to issue a mandatory Request for Proposals to solicit accurate prices for renewable resources.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 03, 2020 -
Trump administration set to approve NV Energy's 1.5 GWh storage, 690 MW solar project
The Obama Administration previously rejected the $1 billion project under an agreement with conservation groups that protected sensitive desert land from wind and solar development.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 02, 2020 -
FERC move to raise PJM capacity market bids shows 'clear bias' against new, clean generation: Glick
The order will raise the floor price for new generation bidding into PJM Interconnection that receives any form of state subsidy.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 20, 2019
