Tesla-SolarCity merger could face delays from lawsuits

Four parties have filed suit, contesting the close relationship between the two companies. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 20, 2016

Enphase survey: Batteries don't fit the bill for most residential backup power needs

Customers are interested in backup power, a new residential survey found, but their demands are more suited to generators than solely batteries.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 20, 2016

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

With AEP deal, private equity continues gobbling up utility plants

Private equity was the winner, once again, in an auction of four AEP plants totaling 5,200 MW.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 20, 2016

FRCC: Florida reserve margin to remain over 20% as state leans on gas generation

Despite a rising population and increased reliance on gas, Florida reliability coordinators expect sufficient generation supply for the next decade.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 19, 2016

Massachusetts state report recommends 600 MW energy storage target

A report ordered by state lawmakers and released by the Department of Energy Resources says a storage target for utilities could help cut peak demand and reduce ratepayer costs.  

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 19, 2016

Amazon backs 253 MW Texas wind farm

The wind farm is Amazon's largest renewable energy project to date. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 19, 2016

Updated: Nevada regulators approve NV Energy, SolarCity grandfathering proposal

About 32,000 existing solar customers will now have access to retail rate net metering until 2036.

By Krysti Shallenberger, Gavin Bade • Sept. 16, 2016

Congressional lawmakers launch query into solar tax credits

Lawmakers in the House and Senate have sent inquiries to seven solar companies to see if they used tax credits improperly. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 16, 2016

Reporter's notebook: How conflict and collaboration shape utility policy in the age of renewables

Utility Dive's Herman K. Trabish reflects on a decade of debates between utilities and renewable energy advocates, finding some of the most productive work comes outside official regulatory proceedings. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 15, 2016

DOE announces another $107M in solar funding under SunShot Initiative

SunShot's goal is to help the solar industry push unsubsidized costs down to $0.06/kWh by 2020.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 15, 2016

Nevada court overturns fixed charges, lower net metering rates for existing solar customers

The court upheld the new rates and charges for future solar customers, however, accepting NV Energy's assertion of a solar cost shift.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 15, 2016

DOI finalizes Phase 1 for California desert renewable energy development plan

The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan seeks to set aside 10.8 million acres for renewable energy development and conservation. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 15, 2016

Maine PUC proposes phasing out rooftop solar incentives

Homeowners with panels already installed, however, would be grandfathered into original net metering rates for 15 years.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2016

NV Energy strikes solar grandfathering deal with SolarCity, regulatory staff

NV Energy has filed a proposal with state regulators that would allow customers who installed rooftop solar on or before Dec. 31, 2015 to access retail rate net metering.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 14, 2016

Expert survey: Wind power costs could fall 40% by 2050

Analysis of a survey published in Nature shows global wind energy experts anticipate cost to drop by up to 41% by 2050.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 14, 2016

NRG wins SunEdison's renewables portfolio with $144M bid

After an auction for SunEdison's renewable energy project portfolio, NRG Energy is walking away with 2,100 MW of development-stage wind and solar capacity. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 13, 2016

Growing pains: Hawaii solar sector howls as grid-supply incentives hit caps

Hawaii's grid-supply tariff has already hit its caps, and the self-supply option is cost-prohibitive for most residents. The resulting installation slowdown could set up a new fight at the PUC.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 13, 2016

Duke plans energy storage expansion for South Carolina hydro plant

The proposal follows a renewed focus on hydroelectricity, as the United States transitions to more renewable power. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2016

DOE, DOI: New US offshore wind strategy could create 86 GW market by 2050

The Departments of Energy and the Interior chose the completion of the first U.S. offshore wind facility to release a new governmental strategy document for the industry.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 13, 2016

Oregon audit scrutinizes state DOE's management of 79 renewable energy projects

A report released last week could ultimately lead to a revamping of Oregon's Department of Energy.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 13, 2016

Report: Nearly half of US states use carbon-free generation as a top 3 resource

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show wind, solar and geothermal energy sources have become mainstream. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2016

Rhode Island lawmakers push FERC to integrate state climate policies into regional pricing

Four lawmakers have sent a letter to federal regulators calling for development of energy market price formulations that include shadow carbon pricing.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2016

Solar Power Players: SEPA honorees look beyond the rooftop to manage dynamic grids

Distributed solar is just the first challenge coming to the grid edge. These utilities are tackling what's next.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 12, 2016

Hawaiian Electric rolls out DR program to integrate more renewables

Pending regulatory approval, the programs could be implemented as early as next year. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 12, 2016

Hydro, biofuels industries press for tax credit renewal

Solar and wind may tax credits have been extended for several more years, but fuels like biogas and hydropower will see their incentives run out at the end of this year.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 9, 2016