9 solar and storage executives share utility wish lists

From sharing system data to opening grid plans to DERs, distributed energy vendors have a long list of priorities for utilities to address.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 2, 2018

When PJM's capacity market stops working for consumers is it time to leave?

Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Brien Sheahan urges states with renewable energy mandates or nuclear subsidies to reevaluate their participation in the largest U.S. electricity market.

By Brien J. Sheahan​ • Oct. 2, 2018

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

True Value: To get to tomorrow's grid, DER grid services must be compensated right today

At Solar Power International 2018, the solar-plus-storage industry advanced new possibilities for the power system regarding storage and distributed resources, but also confronted new questions.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 1, 2018

PJM: 'Significant chunk' of renewables to come from corporate procurement

Direct purchases from corporations are the largest area of renewable energy growth in the RTO, said senior market strategist Andrew Levitt.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 1, 2018

New solar hybrid combines energy storage with record system efficiency

Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Saudi Arabia say they have developed a device that could help electrify remote areas.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2018

Westar rate cut gets Kansas OK, but new solar demand charge could hike bills

Demand charges are common for industrial and larger commercial customers, but utilities have been trying to get regulators to approve them for residential customers as well.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2018

Michael Bloomberg to lead UN green finance campaign

The former New York City mayor will lead a year-long initiative meant to drive at least $100 billion of private finance by 2020 to programs that fight climate change.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 28, 2018

Massachusetts launches solar incentive program to develop 1.6 GW

The long-awaited Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target program is expected to save ratepayers an estimated $4.7 billion.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2018

Gates, Bezos invest $1B in 7 additional energy startups

The billionaires are funding projects that address emissions concerns and energy efficiency through their new venture capital initiative. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 28, 2018

88% of voters say utilities shouldn't block residential solar: SEIA

The result of the solar trade group's poll highlighted a growing consumer appeal for policies that advance the resource, including net metering and renewable energy mandates.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 27, 2018

'Not your grandma's DER': Distributed resources modernize, prove value to grid

Portfolios of DER are finally operating and showing how customer-sited resources can be of great value to utilities and system operators.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 27, 2018

Nevada approves 4-part plan to integrate more DER

The plans garnered support from clean energy advocates ahead of the state's ballot initiatives to spur renewable energy growth and to do away with regulated utility monopolies.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2018

How FERC can protect customers and respect state energy policy authority in its PJM capacity market proceeding

FERC's PJM capacity market order must be implemented in a way that preserves the authority of the 13 states and D.C. to pursue clean energy and protects customers from billions in higher utility bills.

By Ann McCabe and Miles Farmer • Sept. 25, 2018

Solar trade groups roll out tool to streamline permitting, interconnection

Delays in permitting and inspections for rooftop solar can add up to $1/watt of additional cost to a system, SEIA and The Solar Foundation said.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2018

USDA invests $400M in rural electricity upgrades, smart grids

The largest loan will send $68.5 million to back a solar farm run by NextEra Energy Resources in Arkansas, which could meet the needs of 21,000 homes.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 24, 2018

Bipartisan senators ask treasury secretary to expand storage tax credit eligibility

The IRS ruled this year that storage projects paired with solar systems that met internal investment tax credit qualification would also be eligible for the credit.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 21, 2018

AEP Ohio files plans to develop 900 MW of solar, wind

Environmental advocates say the proposal would more than double Ohio's clean energy resources, as its power mix is dominated by coal and gas.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 21, 2018

Sempra to sell $1.54B solar, storage assets to Con Edison

The sale is the first part of a multiphase, portfolio-optimization initiative for Sempra.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 21, 2018

As California leads way with TOU rates, some call for simpler solutions

The state continues its nearly 20-year effort to get to residential time varying rates, but hurdles remain.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 20, 2018

RES Americas cancels 600 MW wind project in Indiana

In rural areas, turbine setback requirements and property rights can collide to the detriment of developers' plans.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 20, 2018

SunPower soars after winning exemption from Trump solar tariffs

The U.S. Trade Representative published a slew of Section 201 exemptions on Wednesday, but analysts see SunPower as the real winner.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 19, 2018

Trump administration levies new tariffs on Chinese solar inverters

Analysts expect the impact on the domestic solar market to be modest, as solar inverters are a relatively small portion of total system cost.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 19, 2018

New Jersey opens biggest offshore wind solicitation at 1.1 GW, expects 2.4 GW more

State regulators estimate that the process will give developers sufficient time to qualify for federal investment tax credits and save approximately 12% of the total project cost.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 18, 2018

California customer choice at a crossroads: Regulators to weigh 3 key issues next week

The California Public Utilities Commission will consider two proposals Sept. 27 on how to calculate the price customers moving from IOUs to community choice aggregators must pay.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 18, 2018

Seattle, Atlanta first winners in American Cities Climate Challenge

The pair are the first of 20 cities to be named for Bloomberg Philanthropies' two-year program, which looks to help uphold the goals of the Paris climate accord.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 18, 2018