South Carolina lawmakers decline to remove limits on solar

Developers and renewable advocates criticized state legislators for cutting the proposal from the budget bill. Major utilities in South Carolina are expected to meet the net metering cap this year.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 28, 2018

Dynamic Grid Systems will rebuild a small Maine utility from the ground up

Isle au Haut, Maine, has less than 150 electric subscribers but faces the same challenges as larger utilities when it comes to integrating stable, renewable energy.

By Robert Walton • June 27, 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

GE streamlines focus on renewables, gas turbines and power services

The global conglomerate is searching for the sweet spot for its gas turbine business, intending to sell its distributed power unit and its interest in oil services.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2018

Fuel cost risk sharing order for Hawaiian Electric seen as 'landmark' clean energy driver

The risk sharing between HECO and its customers is capped at $2.5 million per year to protect the utility from "significant unanticipated increases in fuel prices," while prodding it to reduce prices and fuel use.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2018

New Jersey to end solar credit program, develop alternative support

Legislation signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in May aims to grow the state's "clean energy economy" and calls for transitioning the SREC program to a more sustainable framework.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2018

Tesla plans to pare back residential solar business, Reuters reports

Internal company documents show plans to shutter more than a dozen solar installation facilities around the country.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 25, 2018

US solar industry gets boost with new IRS guidance

The much-anticipated clarification allows developers to qualify for a 30% tax credit if they can prove that they invested at least 5% of the total expected installation costs by the end of 2019.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 25, 2018

Arizona commissioner prepares to file 80% clean energy rule

Commissioner Andy Tobin said he will docket a draft version of a proposed rule by July 5, with discussion to begin at the Arizona Corporation Commission's July 19 open meeting.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2018

Kauai utility moves ahead with Tesla, AES storage on road to 70% renewables

In February, the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative board updated the co-op's goal to 70% renewables by 2030. KIUC expects to reach it by the end of 2019.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2018

Projected US renewables could accelerate power price volatility — what can grid operators do?

New research shows power system prices will plunge and spike unless system operators and renewables developers focus on grid flexibility.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 21, 2018

Colorado regulators boost Xcel efficiency target 25%

Xcel subsidiary Public Service Company of Colorado asked the PUC to keep its goal steady at 400 GWh of annual reductions, but regulators are convinced the utility can do more.

By Robert Walton • June 21, 2018

Microsoft has big power needs and wants to harness the ocean to satisfy them

Cloud vendors are already using wind and solar solutions to conserve energy consumed by their servers. The next frontier, however, is in the ocean's waves. 

By Samantha Schwartz • June 21, 2018

Republicans tout tax law success in hearing on energy sector impacts

While Republican witnesses cited increased wages, capital expenditures and company growth from the recent changes to the tax code, the lone Democrat witness said the bulk of the benefits are bypassing the middle class.

By Peter Maloney • June 21, 2018

DOE: Puerto Rico has plenty of options for new generation

A new report on options for rebuilding the island's grid recommends considering a wide range of renewables and alternative fuels, an expansion of liquefied natural gas imports, microgrids and energy storage.

By Robert Walton • June 20, 2018

ZEV market entering 'new phase of development,' says 9-state coalition

A cross-section of industries is supporting the shift: Uber announced future incentives for emissions-free drivers.

By Robert Walton • June 20, 2018

In Massachusetts, capacity ownership of distributed resources could determine fate of storage

Current debates over ownership and control of capacity rights associated with solar and energy storage projects could have a big impact on the trajectory of the technologies in the state.

By Peter Maloney • June 20, 2018

Economic growth is decoupling from power sector carbon emissions, Ceres reports

The analysis shows that the mercury standards focused on technologies used in coal plants effectively lowered air emissions 86% from 2000 levels after going in effect in 2015.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 20, 2018

World on track for 50% renewables by 2050, says Bloomberg energy outlook

Wind and solar will provide almost 50% of the world's electricity, with hydro, nuclear and other renewables taking total zero-carbon electricity up to 71%.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018

US, EU research further integrates solar and storage

An energy-storing solar cell? Medium-voltage silicon carbide inverters? Research in the United States and Europe could make harnessing solar energy more efficient and cost effective.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018

Vistra plans largest energy storage project in Texas

The 10 MW, 42 MWh lithium-ion battery would be located at the 200 MW Upton 2 solar plant.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2018

Moody's goes negative on regulated utilities for first time, citing tax law impacts

Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley upgraded the utilities sector to outperform, and an analyst note remarked that utility stocks are primed for defensive investments.

By Peter Maloney • June 19, 2018

National Grid targets 80% carbon cut across buildings, transport, power

The utility says its Northeast 80x50 Pathway strategy is consistent with state goals where it does business: New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

By Robert Walton • June 18, 2018

SQN Capital to 'revitalize' bankrupt Suniva's solar production

The company has acquired the technology, licenses and manufacturing capacity of ​the solar panel maker and is close to determining a partner to provide the "best path to revitalizing the company."

By Robert Walton • June 18, 2018

100% renewable energy omnibus clears Massachusetts Senate

The package of energy bills would also remove net metering caps, increase the storage mandate and void demand charges approved earlier this year for Eversource. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • June 18, 2018

Trump nominates climate doubter Simmons to head DOE renewables office

Daniel Simmons used to work for the American Energy Alliance, a conservative lobbying group that advocated eliminating the DOE renewables office in 2015. 

By Gavin Bade • June 15, 2018