Solar split: How a new petition is dividing rooftop and utility-scale installers in SEIA

Rooftop installers want a bigger voice in the trade group, but leaders on both sides stress unity is still the priority. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 12, 2016

Siemens project to test heated rocks for large-scale, low-cost thermal energy storage

A new demonstration project in Germany will employ a 5 MW, 36 MWh storage facility attached to a steam turbine, with larger projects slated for 2019.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 12, 2016

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

First Missouri IOU jumps on community solar, signaling spread from rural co-ops

Following approval by state regulators, Ameren Missouri will build at least one—and possibly two—500 kW community solar gardens.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 12, 2016

Arizona draft order seeks shorter-term value of solar calculation

A recommended order from an Arizona administrative law judge pushes a five-year window for assessing the avoided costs of rooftop solar generation.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 11, 2016

Spanish researchers explore molten silicon for more efficient solar energy storage

Molten silicon could be prove to be a cheaper and more abundant storage medium than the molten salt used in most CSP plants.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 11, 2016

Utah's largest public utility approves new solar fixed fees

Rooftop solar customers in Provo, Utah will pay $3/kW fee on new and existing solar systems.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2016

Xcel's Colorado solar settlement nets broad support as regulators eye approval next month

The settlement makes almost 20 MW of low-income rooftop and community solar capacity. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 11, 2016

Borrego Solar launches megawatt-scale energy storage division

The company will offer both stand-alone and solar-integrated storage solutions to utilities and other large customers.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 10, 2016

Pew: Renewable energy enjoys wide support while fossil fuels divide national opinion

The overwhelming majority of Americans support development of more wind and solar energy, but less than half want new fracking, coal mining or offshore drilling.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 10, 2016

Stem connects Hawaii's largest behind-the-meter storage at theme park

Hawaii's plentiful solar generation and high electricity prices make storage especially appealing, but large BTM batteries are catching on in other states as well.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 10, 2016

Report: RWE renewables spinoff Innogy targets US in global expansion plans

Innogy, listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange for the first time last week, is eyeing electric vehicle charging and grid modernization efforts in the U.S., according to a German weekly.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 10, 2016

Solar group: Georgia Power not on track to meet 100 MW solar target by year's end

The Georgia Solar Energy Industries Association says the utility stopped evaluating and awarding projects last month.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 7, 2016

Hawaii solar sector on the 'brink of collapse' as employment dips 42%

Hawaiian Electric Co. has reached caps on the grid-supply program that replaced net metering, meaning new customers no longer have an option to sell excess capacity back to the grid. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2016

Colorado regulators approve Xcel's 600 MW Rush Creek wind settlement

Regulators approved a broadly-supported settlement without changes, clearing the way for Xcel Energy to develop one of the largest wind farms in Colorado.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 7, 2016

EIA: US residential electricity prices set to decline for first time since 2002

But if gas prices follow EIA projections, the trend will likely reverse next year. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 7, 2016

As the solar industry matures, business gets a little more complicated

While solar got a much-needed boost when Congress extended the 30% ITC, state policy changes are slowing down the residential market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 6, 2016

The new offshore wind playbook: Inside the feds' plan to spur 86 GW by 2050

Rapidly declining costs and proximity to load centers are expected to help make offshore wind a major resource in the next decades. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 6, 2016

New Jersey lawmakers push bill to revamp solar program

Already approved in the state's Senate, the New Jersey House is considering a bill that would accelerate solar deployment. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 6, 2016

For utilities hoping to unlock smart grid opportunities, data is the key

Consumers are interested in smart-grid technologies, but they have reservations as well, a new report says. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2016

Supporters of Florida's solar ballot initiative ramp up advertising dollars

A utility-backed group spent over $760K on advertising in a single week this month.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2016

Massachusetts regulators curb National Grid's fixed fee hike

Regulators allowed only small fee increases, saying the utility did not prove a cost shift from solar customers.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 5, 2016

All hands on deck: Growing energy storage in Massachusetts needs holistic overview of grid, markets

The Department of Energy Resources wants ISO-NE to create a working group to advance storage integration. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2016

Massachusetts medical facilities net $14M in microgrid resiliency grants

First developed in 2014, the $40 million pool of money is set aside to develop community clean energy resiliency projects in the state. 

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2016

How market forces are pushing utilities to operate nuclear plants more flexibly

Nuclear plants in Europe follow load; can U.S. plants follow suit?

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 4, 2016

The flaws in the utilities' push for residential demand charges

Time-based rates offer far better incentives, argue James Tong and Jon Wellinghoff in this guest post.

By James Tong, Jon Wellinghoff • Oct. 3, 2016