War, peace and innovation: Solar policy in 2016

Solar policy debates will continue to rise as stakeholders debate rate design and net metering compensation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 16, 2017

Texas utility proposes increased fees, demand charges for solar customers in 2017 rate case

The utility is asking for a mandatory demand charge and a separate rate class for solar customers six months after it dropped a similar proposal.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 16, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

NARUC 2017: A little less climate and a lot more infrastructure

Donald Trump's election has shifted state regulators' focus from carbon regulation to pipelines.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 16, 2017

Delaware picks energyOrbit to track the state's energy programs

The company's cloud-based platform will track and report progress on efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 15, 2017

How federal tax reform could complicate prospects for renewable energy

Republican plans to upend the tax code present both benefits and pitfalls for wind and solar power, financial analysts say.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 15, 2017

Xcel taps Sunverge, Northern Reliability to test solar+storage in Denver

Xcel Energy will run residential and utility-scale battery pilots to better understand how they can help integrate renewable energy.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 15, 2017

What Neil Gorsuch, Trump's Supreme Court nominee, could mean for energy policy

Gorsuch doesn't have a huge body of energy legal decisions, but rulings regarding Chevron deference and the Commerce Clause shed some light on how he could affect the industry. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2017

Maine Gov. LePage calls for utility regulators to resign over solar net metering decision

Gov. Paul LePage (R) says he would fire regulators if he could because their decision to gradually reduce solar net metering rates did not cut them far enough.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 14, 2017

Wind capacity blows past hydro to become most plentiful US renewable

Installed wind capacity is more than 82,000 MW, according to a trade group, making it the nation's largest renewable resource.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2017

Navy developing 44 MW solar+storage facility on Kauai

The project would make the Barking Sands missile testing facility a net zero military installation, according to the Navy.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 13, 2017

Invenergy launches energy investment fund with stake in cloud company Aquilon

The developer's first fund will not invest in physical projects or equipment, but in companies that use technology to improve the operation of energy assets.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 13, 2017

Colorado lawmakers seek to restrict potential energy storage charges from utilities

A bill introduced in the Colorado state Senate would limit residential energy storage charges from utilities for storage systems up to 25 kW. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 10, 2017

Research spotlight: Solar cost shift negligible, DER valuation efforts advancing slowly

New studies from LBNL and Rhodium detail the latest findings in distributed energy resource valuation.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2017

Connecticut lawmakers prepare legislation to support Millstone nuclear plant

The bill to support the 2,110 MW nuclear plant is expected to recall zero-emission credit schemes in New York and Illinois. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 10, 2017

Florida lawmakers advance bill to strike property taxes on solar panels

Last summer, Florida voters approved a ballot measure to eliminate property taxes on solar panels installed at commercial and industrial facilities. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2017

Arizona regulators approve new rates, solar fees for Tucson Electric Power

The new rates are the first finalized in Arizona since the state eliminated retail rate net metering last year. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2017

Sunrise from the West: How the California Solar Initiative points the way for states

The Golden State's decade-old incentive program contains valuable lessons for states looking to accelerate clean energy adoption, argue David Hochschild and Steve Chadima. 

By David Hochschild, Steve Chadima • Feb. 9, 2017

10 rooftop solar debates to watch in 2017 and beyond

Policy debates over rooftop solar compensation continue to evolve into more sophisticated conversations about electricity rate design. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 9, 2017

Tucson Electric aims for greater reliability with 3 new battery storage projects

Two large batteries and a smaller R&D project will provide voltage support and help integrate renewable energy.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 9, 2017

Morgan Stanley: US energy storage market could grow to 145 GWh with FERC support

A current "addressable" market of 85 GWh could nearly double if FERC allows utilities to deploy storage in organized power markets, a new report forecasts. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 9, 2017

What the US can learn from Australia's innovative approach to grid transformation planning

A 'no-regrets' approach aims to build a grid that can handle DERs at 40% of consumer households.

By Mark Higgins • Feb. 8, 2017

Oklahoma Gov. Fallin proposes wind tax, accelerated phase-out of state tax credit

If successful, Gov. Mary Fallin's proposed wind tax would follow the example of South Dakota and Wyoming. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2017

Utah solar advocates demand fewer rooftop solar restrictions, more financing options

Utah Clean Energy laid out suggestions in a 10-year roadmap to continue rooftop solar's growth in the state. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2017

With tax reform on the table, senators prepare second push for energy storage incentives

Tax credits for energy storage have some bipartisan support, but could conflict with Trump administration plans to simplify the tax code.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 7, 2017

NRG, Hawaiian Electric strike deals to revive stalled SunEdison solar farms

The utility canceled three contracts for utility-scale solar generation on Oahu when SunEdison declared bankruptcy last year. 

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 7, 2017