Florida Supreme Court approves language for utility-backed solar amendment

The approval means the amendment pushed by the utility-backed Consumers for Solar Choice will land a place on the 2016 ballot in November. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 1, 2016

NRG Energy says Ivanpah output on track to meet its contracts

NRG Energy said the concentrating solar plant, the largest in the world, is on track to meet its output goals. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 1, 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

Alevo partners to develop 10 MW storage project in Texas

Ormat Technologies has teamed up with Alevo to enter the storage market with a project in Georgetown, Texas, one of the first cities in the United States pledging to go 100% renewables. 

By Peter Maloney • March 31, 2016

Maine solar power bill passes legislative committee

Maine's landmark solar bill was passed out of legislative committee and into the House of Representatives, but advocates fear it will not garner enough votes to potenially override Gov. Paul LePage's veto. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 31, 2016

Massachusetts solar sector boosts pressure on lawmakers to lift net metering cap

Eversource Energy is about 200 kW from hitting the caps on private and public projects, fueling desperation among the solar sector pressuring lawmakers to lift the cap. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 31, 2016

Will utilities become Uber for DERs?

As the industry debates the role of the utility in a distributed energy future, utility leaders are touting a network approach.

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 30, 2016

Oklahoma utility pushes demand charge for DG users

The new charges, if approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, could be temporary as the utility will also give more information on distributed generation costs in its upcoming rate case.

By Robert Walton • March 30, 2016

Idaho governor signs off on solar production tax to ease tax burden on developers

A 3.5% solar production tax will replace property taxes paid by the clean energy projects.

By Robert Walton • March 30, 2016

Minnesota rural co-ops tack on high fixed charges on solar customers

Minnesota's rural electric cooperatives are adding fixed charges which can total as much as $50 dollars for solar customers. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 30, 2016

Study: US rooftop solar potential more than 1,100 GW

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates the total technical potential for rooftop solar in the United States is equivalent to 39% of the nation's electrical sales. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 30, 2016

Arizona public utility data shows some savings with demand charge

But other customers paid significantly more if they did not alter their energy usage during peak demand. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 29, 2016

Vermont regulators propose new net metering rules

The proposal would keep net energy metering and reward beneficial siting while giving renewable energy certificates to utilities. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 29, 2016

DOE to help develop 700-mile Clean Line transmission project

The Department of Energy last week announced it would "participate in the development" of the Plains & Eastern Clean Line Project, a 4,000 MW transmission line bringing cheap wind power to the Southeast.

By Robert Walton • March 29, 2016

Hawaii solar sector braces for job losses after net metering decision

Hawaii PUC's decision to end net metering last year is already having an impact on the state's solar installers, and observers say more job losses are on the way.

By Robert Walton • March 29, 2016

Analysts: SunEdison may face $1.4B default if it doesn't file report

The major clean energy developer has already postponed the filing of its report twice.

By Krysti Shallenberger • March 28, 2016

How utility collaboration can cut community solar costs up to 40%

A new brief from the Rocky Mountain Institute reveals lessons from its field work in supporting shared solar development.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 28, 2016

Federal agency considers 1st floating offshore wind project

Trident Winds, LLC submitted an unsolicited proposal to develop an 800 MW offshore floating wind project off Morro Bay, California. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 25, 2016

How Maine's power players are reacting to its pathbreaking new solar proposal

A landmark bill offers a plan that could be the next step beyond net energy metering if it gets past partisan Maine politics and doubts about untested ideas.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 24, 2016

In Supreme Court's second power case of 2016, renewable energy advocates are on edge

On paper, the case is about a natural gas plant. But how the U.S. Supreme Court rules a contract between Maryland and a power developer could have broader consequences on interstate markets and renewable energy development.

By Robert Walton • March 24, 2016

Iowa utilities mull new solar fees

Solar advocates say they are concerned MidAmerican and Alliant may try and push through new fees outside of a full rate review.

By Robert Walton • March 24, 2016

Sunrun, TASC fight to keep net metering in Maine

Plan to replace net metering threatens some installers but the difference to customers is small

By Herman K. Trabish • March 24, 2016

EIA: Wind, solar and natural gas make most new electrical generation in 2015

The U.S. Energy Administration expects this trend of wind, solar and natural gas making up the dominant amount of the new electrical generation to conintue into 2016. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 24, 2016

Getting to 100% renewables: How Hawaii plans to get fossil fuels off the grid

In Hawaii, getting consensus around a 100% renewable energy mandate was the easy part. The hard part comes next.

By Gavin Bade • March 23, 2016

Critics demand more renewables in Minnesota Power's power plan

The utility should be able to reduce fossil fuel use below two-thirds of its generation, say clean energy advocates.

By Robert Walton • March 23, 2016

Constellation partners with Sunrun on residential solar option

Constellation's program with Sunrun will be offered to residential customers in Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 23, 2016