Nevada regulators deny 'grandfathering' provision for existing rooftop solar users

The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada excluded a grandfathering provision last week, but the controversial case may not be over and is likely to wind up in court.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2016

Florida Supreme Court to hear arguments over utility-backed solar amendment

Consumers For Smart Solar says their proposed constitutional amendment would protect ratepayers, but opponents say the measure has nothing do with actual choice.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 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

Powered by PTC, wind energy expected to keep booming despite Clean Power Plan stay

Demand for cheap wind may be so great that utilities build out enough to meet CPP targets regardless of the stay.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 17, 2016

Pennsylvania regulators set retail rate net metering for distributed generation

The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission ruled 3-2 last week to limit the output from distribution generation to 200% of residential electrical consumption needs while preserving retail rate remuneration. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 16, 2016

How utility executives see the future of the electricity business

Here are some of the key findings from Utility Dive's third annual State of the Electric Utility report.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 16, 2016

Oregon lawmakers propose carbon tax, coal phase-out

The bills would phase out coal, increase renewables and enact a carbon tax. But Oregon is currently in a short legislative session, and some say more time is needed to consider such significant changes.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 15, 2016

Solar advocates push Maine lawmakers to preserve net metering

Maine lawmakers are currently involved in a proceeding to evaluate the state's net metering policy and possible alternatives. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2016

Hawaii bill demands NextEra prove consumer benefit for $4.3B Hawaiian Electric merger

The House Bill 2567 would require NextEra to show "substantial net benefit" to customers before state regulators approve its takeover of Hawaiian Electric Industries, but the utility says the bill fails to define net benefits. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2016

Tesla lobbies Nevada regulators to reconsider net metering changes

The Nevada Public Utilities Commission could decide today whether to reconsider higher fixed fees on solar customers, and if customers who already own panels should be granfathered in. Ahead of their meeting, Elon Musk's Tesla implored regulators to go with rates more favorable to the consumer.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2016

Massachusetts solar 'on hold' as incentives in two major programs dry up

Small residential systems can continue to be built, but the expiration of key solar incentives has left the industry in limbo in the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2016

Armed observers heighten tensions in Nevada solar net metering debate

Nevada is an open carry state, and some are concerned about solar advocates bringing their weapons to a Public Utilities Commission meeting scheduled for today.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2016

Bad power deals cost Maine $38M, governor says

 "Socialists love to subsidize new wind and solar,"  said Maine Governor Paul LePage (R). 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 12, 2016

8 trends shaping the grid of the future

A Deloitte study finds "alternative energy’s shift to the mainstream is largely complete and likely irreversible."

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 11, 2016

Sunverge Energy to roll out solar management system

Sunverge Energy says its next generation solar integration system will be available this summer.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 11, 2016

Florida critics say utility-backed amendment curbs solar choice

The utilities said the amendment establishes a right for consumers to own or lease solar equipment while ensuring there is no cost-shift on non-distributed solar owners. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 11, 2016

How Arizona Public Service is preparing for the grid of the future

New offerings point to the need for a unified control systems to manage DERs on the grid.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 10, 2016

Ex-regulator: NextEra's energy vision for Hawaii isn't good enough

Former Arizona Corporation Commission Chairwoman Kristin Mayes said NextEra Energy failed to show "strong tangible conditions attached to the deal." 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2016

Companies launch first US community solar trade group

The Coalition for Community Solar Access will work to expand policies propelling community solar in emerging markets. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2016

How Tucson Electric Power's CEO wants to grow DERs in Arizona

As solar deployment spreads, TEP seeks rate design reforms and aims for a full suite of utility-owned DERs.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 9, 2016

Obama proposes doubling clean energy R&D spending by 2021

The spending increase would be a part of Mission Innovation, an international commitment to accelerate public and private global clean energy innovation, reached last year as part of the United Nations climate talks in Paris.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2016

PG&E to launch new community solar program

Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric also prepare to offer their own community solar programs in response to a 2013 California mandate that calls for 600 MW of community solar. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2016

EIA: Solar capacity hits 20,000 MW, with almost half in California

California continues to be the leader in the U.S. solar market, owning more than half of the nation's utility-scale solar capacity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2016

Sacramento muni cancels 400MW pumped storage project

Costs and environmental delays helped to scuttle SMUD's plans for a 400-MW pumped storage project in northern California.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 8, 2016

NextEra gives cost estimates for HEI's new energy plan

NextEra was the primary data provider for eight of the 14 project proposals Hawaiian Electric's revised "2016 Power Supply Improvement Plan," which was previously rejected by Hawaiian utility regulators in November 2015. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 8, 2016

Colorado utilities to test 5 rural, low-income solar models

The Colorado Energy Office and GRID Alternatives are developing five community solar projects to serve low-income customers.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 8, 2016