How well do consumers understand rooftop solar economics?

A Federal Trade Commission workshop on competition and consumer protection in the DG solar power industry attracted a wide range of comments.

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

Democratizing DERs: What role should utilities play in spreading clean energy to all?

Everyone knows the utility has some role to play in making distributed energy resources available to all customers. But no one seems to agree on what it is. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • July 14, 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

Nevada clears net metering, retail choice measures for November ballot

The net metering proposal must yet withstand a legal challenge over whether the proposal qualifies as a referendum or an initiative that would have to go to the legislature before it could be put on the ballot.

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

California Gov. Brown proposes extension of cap-and-trade program to 2050

The extension aims to help the state cut carbon emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2031. 

By Peter Maloney • July 14, 2016

Data storage provider sues NV Energy, Nevada PUC to exit Nevada Power service

The lawsuit alleges utility regulators were improperly influenced by General Counsel Carolyn Tanner, who resigned in the wake of the revelation she inappropriately commented on pending matters on Twitter while using a pseudonym. 

By Robert Walton • July 14, 2016

Utility clean energy rankings reveal 'unprecedented shift' in power sector paradigms

Even among renewable energy laggards, there's a growing consensus that wind and solar are at the center of the 21st century electricity system.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2016

PG&E, SolarCity partner for solar+storage, grid services pilot

Up to 150 customers in San Jose will receive smart inverters or battery storage systems, and SolarCity will get a chance to demonstrate its suite of grid services. 

By Robert Walton • July 13, 2016

'Universal access': How PSEG CEO Ralph Izzo aims to make efficiency, DERs available to all consumers

Izzo wants utilities to supply DER solutions to consumers not served in the current marketplace.

By Gavin Bade • July 12, 2016

Greens sue PJM, saying new capacity rules disadvantage renewables, demand response

Market rules that require resources to be available year-round could hurt clean energy sources, said a group of advocates including the Natural Resources Defense Council.

By Robert Walton • July 12, 2016

California PUC directs SDG&E to buy more renewables despite RPS compliance

The utility is compliant with current targets under the state's clean energy standard, but did not buy enough capacity in a recent renewable energy auction, regulators said. 

By Peter Maloney • July 11, 2016

Sonnen cuts battery system cost 40% to serve self-consumption market

Seeing an opportunity in changes to net metering policies, Sonnen has introduced a cheaper battery without backup power features.

By Peter Maloney • July 8, 2016

Solar developer FLS Energy wants rehearing on Montana PURPA rate suspension

FLS Energy said the decision, if standing as issued, would prevent their projects from going foward. 

By Peter Maloney • July 8, 2016

Hawaii solar industry reports 39% drop in employment after the end of retail net metering

Solar advocates also said the cap on the Customer Grid Supply option to replace retail net metering has been hit in Maui, with the Big Island and Oahu not far behind. 

By Robert Walton • July 8, 2016

Come together? DER aggregation sparks more confusion than consensus in power sector

Utilities and DER providers have divergent opinions on how the aggregation of distributed resources will develop, according to a recent GTM survey.  

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2016

PacifiCorp entry to Western EIM could boost carbon emissions, critics say

The Sierra Club said a preliminary study by California ISO modeling scenarios to include PacifiCorp in the Western Energy Imbalance Market failed to detail long-term impacts from the utility's coal fleet. 

By Peter Maloney • July 7, 2016

NYISO: Despite efficiency, DER gains, new transmission needed for low-carbon grid

Efficiency and DERs are pushing down load, the grid operator said in a new report, but system upgrades will be needed to meet state clean energy goals. 

By Gavin Bade • July 7, 2016

Anatomy of a nuke closure: How PG&E decided to shutter Diablo Canyon

In a policy environment that prizes renewables, PG&E saw no cost-effective route to keeping the giant nuclear plant open.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 7, 2016

California dreaming: Utilities uneasy with regulator's vision to remake their business model

Commissioner Florio wants a fundamental rethinking of utility revenues and distributed resources, but his proposal has critics on all sides.

By Peter Maloney • July 6, 2016

Inside the first municipal solar-plus-storage project in the US

The Village of Minster tackled a solar-plus-storage project to diversify its portfolio and now looks to build a microgrid to protect its key C&I customers from power outages. 

By Herman K. Trabish • July 5, 2016

Five years in, Boulder's municipalization fight could be drawing to a close

Boulder is in negotiations with Xcel Energy on clean energy options that could end its bid to create a municipal utility. But the city hasn't given up yet.

By Robert Walton • July 5, 2016

Sonnen teams up with Enbala, combining storage with grid management

The integration of Enbala software could help utilities control and aggregate numerous distributed energy resources on their systems. 

By Peter Maloney • July 5, 2016

NextEra decision looming, Hawaii lawmakers consider suing Gov. Ige over PUC appointment

The governor appointed a commission lawyer to the regulatory post without legislative approval ahead of a decision on the largest business deal in Hawaii history. 

By Peter Maloney • July 5, 2016

Massachusetts Senate unanimously approve energy bill for 2 GW of offshore wind

The measure goes beyond a House proposal, calling for 2,000 MW of offshore wind energy as well as expanding hydropower and renewables requirements to 1,500 MW.  

By Robert Walton • July 5, 2016

Colorado PUC approves solar garden billing settlement for Xcel

Regulators said the decision would allow more customers to access solar energy, including low-income customers.

By Robert Walton • July 1, 2016

Vermont regulators implement rules for 75% renewables target

Vermont's Public Service Board has implemented rules for 75% by 2032 renewables target, stipulating at least 1% needs to come from distributed resources. 

By Peter Maloney • July 1, 2016