As solar matures, rate design and incentive debates grow ever more complex

The newest national solar policy update finds policymakers considering more detailed programs to compensate DER owners and cover grid costs.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 23, 2017

Nevada utility regulator Paul Thomsen resigns

Thomsen joined the Nevada Public Utilities Commission in 2015 and led it through a controversial net metering decision last year.

By Robert Walton • May 23, 2017

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

The state of US wholesale power markets: Is reliability at risk from low prices?

Robbie Orvis from Energy Innovation explores why generator revenues are shrinking and how the decline isn't a problem for reliability. 

By Robbie Orvis • May 22, 2017

FirstEnergy keeps pressure on for passage of Ohio nuclear subsidy bill

Ohio lawmakers last week suspended hearings on a bill to support two of the company's struggling Ohio nukes.

By Peter Maloney • May 22, 2017

Missouri regulators approve KCP&L rate hike, new 'inclining block' structure

Kansas City Power & Light will implement a new, "inclining block” rate system that many say will help boost the economics of efficiency upgrades and rooftop solar.

By Robert Walton • May 21, 2017

California muni IID completes first US demonstration of black start battery capability

Imperial Irrigation District's 33 MW / 20 MWh battery was able to start its combined-cycle natural gas turbine at the El Centro Generating Station.

By Peter Maloney • May 19, 2017

Mercedes-Benz Energy forms partnership with Vivint for US solar + storage systems

The partnership will allow customers the choice of buying a system outright or financing it through institutions Vivint uses for its solar business. 

By Peter Maloney • May 19, 2017

Sunrun CEO: 'Long-term growth rate' for residential solar still strong

Lynn Jurich sought to restore confidence at the GTM Solar Summit this week after the residential solar market slowed year-over-year for the first time in Q1.

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 18, 2017

SoCal Edison should go back to the drawing board on its grid modernization proposal

Officials from two top solar groups argue the utility is taking the wrong approach in its pending rate case

By Ed Smeloff, Sean Gallagher • May 18, 2017

The SoCal Edison rate case: A canary in the coal mine for DER policy debates

SCE wants $2.1 billion to upgrade its grid for distributed resources — a request that's raised ire from consumer advocates and DER providers alike.

By Herman K. Trabish • May 18, 2017

CAISO: Renewables served 42% of California demand on May 16, setting record

During the 2 p.m. hour, renewables served more than 70% of power demand, setting another record in California.

By Gavin Bade , Robert Walton • May 18, 2017

San Jose is latest, largest city in California to embrace community choice

After multiple notifications, residents will be automatically enrolled in San Jose Clean Energy, taking them out of PG&E retail service. 

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2017

GOP Sen. Grassley questions DOE baseload review in letter to Perry

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says the White House's "hastily developed study" appears to pre-judge renewable resources and may not be "credible, relevant or worthy of valuable taxpayer resources."

By Robert Walton • May 18, 2017

DTE clarifies goal to cut carbon emissions 80% from 2005 levels by 2050

The company expects to eliminate coal from its fuel mix by 2040 while leaving new nuclear on the table as a longer-term capacity option.

By Gavin Bade • May 17, 2017

Minnesota Gov. Dayton vetoes energy omnibus bill opposed by green groups

Dayton said energy provisions in the spending bill were among the most controversial and least discussed elements, prompting his veto.

By Robert Walton • May 17, 2017

California PUC staff: Non-utility suppliers could serve 85% of load by mid-2020s

A new white paper from the PUC and the California Energy Commission warns of a coming boom in community choice and DERs, presenting new questions on how to allocate grid costs. 

By Robert Walton • May 17, 2017

EEI President Kuhn: How smarter energy infrastructure can power America

The head of the trade group for U.S. IOUs outlines five policy reforms for a cleaner, more resilient grid in this guest post

By Thomas Kuhn • May 17, 2017

Solar developer 8minutenergy expands into energy storage with 1 GW pipeline

The nation's largest independent solar developer says it is is working with manufacturers to offer lithium-ion and flow batteries, flywheels, and other storage technologies.

By Robert Walton • May 17, 2017

How to navigate California's mammoth SGIP storage incentive program

A new report from Strategen and Utility Dive outlines strategies to get a piece of $448 million in behind-the-meter storage incentives.

By Peter Maloney • May 16, 2017

Virginia clean energy advocates wary of Dominion green power tariff

Critics of Dominion Energy's 100% renewable energy offering say it will stymie customer choice in Virginia.

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2017

Solar trade group SEIA opposes Suniva's panel tariff push in letter to ITC

SEIA argued Suniva is not representative of the larger PV manufacturing industry and that a tariff would be "extremely damaging" to the U.S. solar sector.

By Peter Maloney • May 16, 2017

Tesla, Green Mountain Power roll out $15/month BTM battery program

Customers of Green Mountain Power can have backup power for their entire home at a relatively low price, thanks to Tesla's software and battery improvements.

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2017

Tucson Electric Power proposes lower rooftop solar incentive rates

The utility is proposing an export rate at $0.097/kWh, about two cents below the current rooftop solar incentive rate. 

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2017

Wartsila aims to become 'global systems integrator' with Greensmith acquisition

Buying the storage software provider moves Wartsila further into the energy storage market, less than a week after it announced a suite of new battery offerings. 

By Peter Maloney • May 16, 2017

Litigation is the solution to state 'around market' power subsidies

FERC's technical conference revealed the divide on state power incentives is so intractable that the courts must weigh in, two WBK lawyers argue in this guest post. 

By Raymond L. Gifford and Matthew S. Larson • May 15, 2017