Tax equity financing for renewable energy healthy, but with risks: CohnReznick

The company sees good deal flow and an expanding pool of investors, but potential tax changes present an element of risk.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 14, 2017

DOE expands SunShot program after hitting original cost goal 3 years early

The new program aims to cut utility-scale solar costs to $0.03/kWh and boost durability and lifetimes in panels. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 13, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

Illinois energy reform set to shape new solar business models for utilities

Rate-based returns on distributed resources could allow utilities to displace traditional investments and drive a community solar boom.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 13, 2017

EIA: Coal production increases will continue through 2018

Coal production in August was 8% higher than the same time in 2016. Year-over-year increases are expected this year and next.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2017

California Dems look to restart CAISO regionalization with 11th hour amendments

With only days left in the state's legislative session, lawmakers are pushing bills that would create a planning process for a full ISO across the western United States. 

By Gavin Bade , Peter Maloney • Sept. 12, 2017

Vivint, ChargePoint to pair home solar with EV charging

The companies plan to offer a suite of energy tools, including solar arrays, an EV charger, a home battery and an intelligent energy management system.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 12, 2017

Utilities see benefits in energy storage, even without mandates

Greater operational flexibility, customer savings, frequency response and black start capability were among the advantages cited by utilities in pursuing storage absent any legal requirement.  

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 12, 2017

California energy interests set to square off over Puente natural gas plant

Solar and storage can meet power needs cheaper than outdated capacity analyses suggest, clean energy advocates will tell regulators this week. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 11, 2017

Bill to California governor would direct utilities to plan storage, DERs for peak demand

SB 338 would compel utilities to include considerations for peak demand management with storage, efficiency and DERs in their integrated resource plans. 

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 11, 2017

Dominion to propose Virginia community solar programs

The utility expects to file program options with state regulators by early 2018.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 11, 2017

US added 2.4 GW of solar resources in Q2, SEIA says

The U.S. will triple cumulative capacity over the next five years barring potential tariffs on imported solar panels, according to a new report. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 11, 2017

Retail electricity prices rise, spurred by boost in delivery costs, EIA says

The average retail price of electricity in the U.S. increased about 1.5% annually between 2006 and 2016. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 8, 2017

Choosing the right grid infrastructure in the wake of the DOE grid study

Rocky Mountain Institute's Mark Dyson says the grid study failed to highlight the opportunities to boost resiliency with distributed energy resources. 

By Mark Dyson • Sept. 7, 2017

Renewables developers 'gaming' PURPA should force reforms, utilities tell Congress

Testimony to a House Energy & Commerce subcommittee comes as lawmakers draft revisions to the 40-year-old law.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 7, 2017

Idaho PUC says storage projects only eligible for 2-year PURPA contract

Franklin Energy sought 20-year PURPA contracts for four storage facilities, but regulators said those resources should be granted two-year contracts. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 7, 2017

Fuel cells get $10M funding boost from DOE

Some 16 research projects will address cost and reliability issues with solid oxide fuel cells, which DOE calls ideal for carbon capture.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2017

FERC rejects CAISO proposal to allocate some interconnection costs regionally

The proposal from California's grid operator would have created a new, smaller type of participating transmission owner to ensure costs are allocated fairly.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2017

Rethinking the meaning of 'reliability' and 'resiliency' in the wake of DOE grid reliability study

Smart Electric Power Alliance's Tanuj Deora urges the DOE to consider all solutions when assessing grid reliability and resiliency. 

By Tanuj Deora • Sept. 6, 2017

PJM mulls capacity repricing strategies to tackle subsidy programs

Issues under debate include whether repricing should be triggered only when a subsidy occurs in a capacity delivery year and if retriggering would apply to carbon dioxide pricing schemes.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2017

California lawmakers abandon $3B in proposed EV incentives for additional study

The state legislature radically rewrote a bill that would have boosted electric vehicle incentives, instead sending the issue to the state's Air Resources Board for examination.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 6, 2017

Massachusetts utilities take divergent approaches to grid modernization

The state Attorney General's Office gave a qualified endorsement to National Grid's plan while roundly criticizing Eversource's plan. But approval of any plan is going to require a lot more work.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 6, 2017

Texas cooperative to build solar-plus-storage project in Liberia

Bandera Electric Cooperative in Texas is building the 70 kW solar-plus-storage project in Totota.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2017

South Australia calls for storage, renewable energy projects

A portion of the Australian province's $150 million (AUD) Renewable Technology Fund is already earmarked for Tesla's 129 MWh storage project. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 5, 2017

Neither resilience nor reliability can justify the rescue of outmoded power plants

Advanced Energy Economy's Arvin Ganesan and Dylan Reed urge the DOE to use clean energy technologies to achieve the aims of its grid study. 

By Arvin Ganesan, Dylan Reed • Sept. 5, 2017

Nevada regulators approve net metering draft order for NV Energy

State utility regulators last week approved a draft order finalizing NV Energy's net metering rates, the final step to implement a new state law restoring rates close to retail. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 5, 2017