Solar developer protests community solar size in Colorado Xcel settlement

SunShare, a developer of community solar gardens, wants the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to reconsider a settlement it says gives Xcel Energy an unfair leg up in the solar market. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2016

Uncle Sam's battery bank: ARPA-E spurs commercialization of innovative storage technology

The DOE is touting the success of its ARPA-E program for funding advanced technologies: $1.3 billion funded; $1.2 billion raised from private sources.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 7, 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

After tariff changes, storage to play larger role in CAISO demand management

FERC's approval for storage and demand response tariffs highlights California's efforts to integrate more DERs. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2016

Confidence in collaboration: Rhode Island targets a common perspective on DER values

Facing an impasse over DER rate design, Rhode Island regulators have initiated a new proceeding to find common ground on measures and expectations for distributed energy programs.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 6, 2016

Southern California Edison proposes $2.1B capex for DER integration

SCE did not provide forecast ranges for total capital expenditures through 2020, saying it has no prior experience with rate cases related to DER integration. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 6, 2016

Facing stricter climate goals, California passes 4 bills to boost energy storage

The bills require the state to consider pumped hydro storage, add 500 MW to the state's storage mandate and double California's self-generation program.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2016

California targets clean transport, urban greening for $900M in cap-and-trade funds

After some lawmakers pushed back on an extension of greenhouse gas goals last month, Gov. Jerry Brown struck a last-minute deal to dole out funds from the state's carbon auctions. 

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 2, 2016

Virginia hearing examiner confirms legality of 3rd party solar PPAs

Appalachian Power had argued that solar power purchase agreements from third parties for the residential sector were not allowed in the state. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2016

In 11th hour deal, California public utility reaches net metering compromise

The utility has suspended new net metering contracts, but reached a deal this week to extend the policy to 1,300 existing solar customers.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 2, 2016

Winds of change: How the industry can continue wind power's boom into the 2020s

Better grid integration and lower tech costs will be key to continuing wind's record growth, but big market and policy obstacles are looming. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 1, 2016

Nevada regulator blocks SolarCity from grandfathering proceedings

The interests of SolarCity's customers are best represented by the Attorney General's office, the Nevada PUC chair ruled. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 1, 2016

Duke, solar developers strike interconnection deal in North Carolina

The utility has reached an agreement with solar developers that will allow their projects to move forward, but gives Duke Energy authorization to disconnect systems if issues arise.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 1, 2016

NREL: Eastern Interconnect can handle 30% renewable energy

A new study says the Eastern U.S. grid could add another 400 GW of wind and solar power using existing technologies and grid management practices.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 1, 2016

Oregon regulators delay report outlining major changes to solar policies

A draft report issued by the Public Utilities Commission last month recommended ending net metering, among other issues. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 1, 2016

Mutual needs, mutual challenges: How corporate PPAs are remaking the renewables sector

Large companies want renewables and developers are eager to sell. The consequences for utilities could be immense.

By Peter Maloney • Sept. 1, 2016

Florida votes to strike property taxes on solar panels

The measure had overwhelming support from lawmakers and voters, but another measure on the ballot in November will be much more contentious.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2016

Despite funding, 1st US freshwater offshore wind farm is far from construction

The  Lake Erie Energy Development Co Icebreaker project has received $40 million in support from the federal government -- unusual for a project so far from breaking ground, say critics.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 31, 2016

Solar groups pour money into Arizona utility regulatory election

Solar power funds are pouring into the five-way race for three seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission, with SolarCity leading the pack.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 30, 2016

German researchers to test new underwater energy storage devices

The Fraunhofer Institute in Germany is developing an underwater storage system that works like a pumped storage plant.

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 30, 2016

Public purpose microgrids: Mixed-ownership models spur utility investment in growing sector

Thinking of microgrids as public infrastructure — and financing them like it — could point the industry to new growth.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 30, 2016

Iowa regulators sign off on MidAmerican's 2 GW wind project

The 1,000-turbine installation is expected to be complete by the end of 2019.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 30, 2016

Maryland co-op challenges state's new community solar program

The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative has petitioned FERC to over Maryland's community solar program, saying regulators violated federal law by making them purchase excess energy at a retail rate. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 29, 2016

EIA: Utility-scale solar capacity to grow 8 GW in 2016

In May, renewable energy made up 12% of the nation's total energy consumption.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 29, 2016

California solar project shot down after clearing federal environmental permits

A 287-MW solar project on the edge of the Mojave Desert won all federal permits, but was voted down by county supervisors over concerns about the impact to the bighorn sheep habitat. 

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 26, 2016

EIA: Monthly renewable generation beat levels from previous years

But other renewables, such as wind and solar, have exceeded hydro generation each month since February as the West recovers from a historic drought.  

By Peter Maloney • Aug. 26, 2016