South Carolina solar bill fails to pass after procedural change

State lawmakers changed legislative rules to require a two-thirds vote instead of a simple majority in order to pass the bill. 

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2018

Montana net metering customers are overpaid, new study says

The cost-benefit analysis pegs the value of solar energy sent back onto Northwestern Energy's grid at about $0.04/kWh, far less than net metering customers are paid.

By Robert Walton • April 11, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Sustainability

Companies are pursuing increasingly ambitous sustainability goals around clean energy, but integrating rising amounts of renewables, minimizing environmental impacts, and achieving carbon reduction targets can be challenging.

By Utility Dive staff

Residential storage faces sunny prospects this year

Pairing storage with rooftop solar could boom if interest translates into action.

By Peter Maloney • April 10, 2018

Interior Department proposes offshore wind lease sale in Massachusetts

The two lease areas total almost 390,000 acres and signal the offshore wind industry is beginning to gain traction in the United States.

By Robert Walton • April 9, 2018

Solar bill advances in South Carolina; Maine bill fails to withstand LePage veto

In South Carolina, the House approved a bill to expand the solar market. In Maine, lawmakers in the House failed to override a veto from Gov. Paul LePage (R) of a pro-solar bill.

By Robert Walton • April 6, 2018

Illinois regulators adopt ambitious renewables plan

The first two procurements for utility-scale wind and brownfield solar development are expected this summer.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2018

Report: Massachusetts offshore wind decision likely delayed after Northern Pass rejection

State regulators moved on to a new transmission project after Northern Pass failed to secure a permit from New Hampshire in time, but that decision likely delayed a separate decision on an offshore wind solicitation. 

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2018

Report: Los Angeles ranked No. 1 in US for solar energy use

The city regained the top spot from San Diego, with the pair followed in the rankings by Honolulu, Phoenix and San Jose, CA.

By Chris Teale • April 5, 2018

The two key questions about going to 100% renewables in Los Angeles

The city council wants its municipal utility to reach the clean energy goal, and a new report says it can by 2030 — if the utility can learn new ways.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 5, 2018

Northern California agency selects consortium for first US floating wind farm

The 100 MW to 150 MW project from EDF Renewables and Principle Energy would be located more than 20 miles off the coast of Eureka, Calif.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2018

APS funds research linking job losses to renewable energy ballot proposal

But the study has not been peer-reviewed, news outlets report, and assumes that the utility will leave its stake in the Palo Verde nuclear facility. 

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2018

Unnecessary complexity? Assessing New York and California's landmark DER proceedings

New York and California have spent years opening opportunities for distributed energy resources with minimal real impact. Could they have done it differently?

By Herman K. Trabish • April 4, 2018

Eversource, Deepwater Wind proposes offshore wind farm projects for Connecticut

The two 200 MW projects comes in response to the state's request for proposals issued in January. 

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2018

Utilities take note: Hybrid renewables projects are coming

In 2017, combinations of cost-effective renewables plus storage went online, with more due this year. And 2019 looks like a hybrid boom year.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 3, 2018

NextEra Energy strikes $1.27B deal to sell Canadian renewables assets

Selling the 400 MW of wind and solar located in Ontario, will allow NextEra to "recycle" capital back into the U.S. to take advantage of the lower corporate tax rate.

By Robert Walton • April 2, 2018

Market-based IRPs: A new paradigm for grid planning?

Instead of forecasts, utilities like Hawaiian Electric and Xcel are beginning to use real-world prices in their integrated resource plans, allowing them to better compare renewables and DERs to traditional grid investments. 

By Gavin Bade • April 2, 2018

DTE Energy plans to double renewable energy capacity in Michigan

But the utility remains opposed to a ballot proposal to increase the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard to 30% by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • April 2, 2018

EDF to invest nearly $10B in energy storage by 2035

The French utility giant is targeting the residential sector in France and Europe with a variety of self-consumption services that use batteries.

By Peter Maloney • March 29, 2018

Solar Foundation reports slight jobs dip for 2017

The decline is indicative of a sector that was in limbo as the industry waited for President Trump to issue a final decision on solar tariffs. 

By Deborah Barrington • March 28, 2018

Utah governor signs pair of solar bills

The two measures extend a $1,600 tax credit for residential installations and require solar companies to provide disclosure forms for purchase agreements to consumers. 

By Robert Walton • March 28, 2018

APS, Arizona lawmakers craft alternative renewables ballot proposal

The proposal would set a 50% renewables goal similar to the one backed by climate activist Tom Steyer, but gives regulators leeway to set aside the target. 

By Robert Walton • March 27, 2018

Proposed Texas rule highlights storage's challenges in bridging competitive, regulated energy markets

Energy storage’s unique characteristics make it a difficult fit on the regulated side of Texas’ power market.

By Peter Maloney • March 27, 2018

Connecticut legislature poised to act as community solar collides with net metering

Connecticut’s utilities object to a new community solar policy while its advocates say proposed utility changes to net metering are unacceptable.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 27, 2018

PG&E's local clean energy plan gets regulatory nod

Local clean energy resources will be used, allowing an older fossil fuel-based plant to retire. The utility estimates the market solicitation could result in 20 MW to 45 MW of clean energy resources.

By Robert Walton • March 26, 2018

Update: Arizona Gov. Ducey signs bill to undermine RPS ballot proposal

The measure will minimize financial penalties for utilities that fail to meet renewable energy targets, muting a ballot proposal pushing 50% renewable energy by 2030. 

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2018