HECO is testing Varentec devices to regulate voltage fluctuations from rooftop solar

Hawaii's main utility is conducting a pilot program aimed at testing Varentec devices to regulate voltage fluctuations from rooftop solar installations.

By Peter Maloney • April 7, 2016

Indiana cooperative to offer leases on pilot community solar array

Member-customers expected to save $1,600 over the 20 year term lease term

By Herman K. Trabish • April 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

Maryland Senate passes 25% RPS in clean energy jobs bill

Final votes in both legislative chambers are still needed to reconcile bill differences, but it appears the 25% renewable energy standard is on its way to Gov. Larry Hogan.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2016

Massachusetts lawmakers pass bill to raise solar cap, cut net metering rates

The Masschussetts legislative committee tasked with coming up with a solution to deal with net metering caps and solar remuneration arrived at a final bill, which passed through both houses and now awaits Gov. Charlie Baker's signature. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 6, 2016

'Wake up worrying': NextEra-Hawaiian Electric merger in doubt as regulators near decision time

NextEra's bid to buy Hawaiian Electric has failed to inspire state energy stakeholders, but the merger proceeding isn't a popularity contest.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2016

Report: Installed solar costs dropped 5% as consumers search for best value

EnergySage, an online marketplace for solar, released a report that also showed solar customers moving from leasing deals to solar loans. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2016

New Arizona law delays solar installation 60 days, drawing ire from advcates

SB 1417 also imposes new disclosure burdens on installers which they say aim to slow solar growth

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2016

As RPS importance declines, 3 factors help drive growth for utility-scale solar

For the first time, most utility-scale solar development this year won't be driven by renewable portfolio standards. Instead, voluntary utility procurement, PURPA contracts and corporate interest are boosting the market, along with some nascent activity in the merchant generation space.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 5, 2016

SunEdison's financial woes could scuttle storage deal with Imergy in India

SunEdison's financial troubles could threaten Imergy's battery roll-out in India.

By Peter Maloney • April 4, 2016

Report: SunEdison plans to file for bankruptcy

SunEdison is planning to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as it also faces an investigation from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 4, 2016

How DOE is leveraging federal authority to ease transmission development

The Dept. of Energy is exercising powers that allow it to speed siting and construction of interstate transmission, but not everyone is pleased.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 4, 2016

Palo Alto city to pay double wholesale market price for solar energy contracts

The City Council of Palo Alto voted 6-1 to allow solar developers to sell solar energy at $0.16/kWh. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 2, 2016

Advocacy group lists '10 worst-sited' energy projects for birds

The American Bird Conservancy has identified the 10 worst-sited wind facilities for bird deaths, which it says kill hundreds of thousands of protected birds each year.

By Robert Walton • April 1, 2016

Utah governor signs Rocky Mountain Power-backed transportation bill

The controversial bill, which critics say will ultimately raise rates and crush the state's solar market, aims to boost electric vehicle infrastructure and clean coal research, while managing environmental costs.

By Robert Walton • April 1, 2016

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

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