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

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

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

Arizona regulators approve $2B SunZia power line over objections from greens

The line's 3,000 MW carrying capacity will deliver New Mexico wind and Arizona solar to demand centers in the Southwest.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 5, 2016

Entergy breaks ground on New Orleans' first utility-scale solar, complete with storage

The 1 MW solar project and 500 kWh battery will test the grid balancing capability of solar-plus-storage.  

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 5, 2016

SPP: Wind penetration tops previous record at 39.1%

The Southwest Power Pool topped 39% wind penetration on the last day of January, but with transmission upgrades, the grid operator says it can accomodate much more.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 5, 2016

California ISO approves proposals to bolster storage and demand response

The California ISO has approved several proposals aimed at further integrating distributed energy resources into the states's wholesale power market.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 4, 2016

EIA: Renewables to be 14% of U.S. electricity generation in 2016

Wind should supply 5.2% of U.S. power next year and solar is projected to top 1%. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2016

Kauai co-op integrates over 70% solar, 90% renewables four times in January

With fast-ramping diesel, hydro and biomass making up the balance, KIUC got up to 77% solar in its power mix in January.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 4, 2016

NV Energy proposes net metering 'grandfathering' provision in new filing

NV Energy filed a proposal outlining a "grandfathering" provision that would allow existing solar customers to keep retail rate net metering.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Feb. 4, 2016

NARUC opposes King-Reid solar net metering amendment to federal energy bill

The association representing state utility regulators issued a letter in opposition to an amendment proposed by Senator Angus King and Minority Leader Harry Reid. 

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 3, 2016

Arizona regulators to decide if SunZia power line must guarantee space for renewables

Opponents fear that without restrictions, a line planned to transmit renewable energy will end up carrying gas-generated power.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 3, 2016

Should utilities be afraid of Sonnen's new community storage offering?

Community energy storage in the U.S. could ramp up with German storage developer Sonnen's entry into the market.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 2, 2016

Georgia Power adds 525 MW of renewables in latest IRP

The utility has asked regulators to sign off on more than 500 MW of clean power in their 2016 integrated resource plan (IRP), and said efficiency will help reduce peak demand by almost 2,000 MW.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 2, 2016

Sonnen leverages rooftop solar, financing partners to sell storage systems in US

German energy storage company Sonnen has formed two partnerships as part of is strategy to sell storage systems into the U.S.

By Peter Maloney • Feb. 1, 2016

Inside the decision: California regulators preserve retail rate net metering until 2019

After months of intense lobbying and studying of proposals, California regulators handed the rooftop solar sector a vital win in its most important market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 1, 2016

Iowa utilities surprised at proposed legislation to cut net metering rate

The bill was introduced by a lawmaker with ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council, which has worked revamp the net metering policy. Utilities say they had no idea the bill was being considered.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2016

Mississippi PSC denied net metering rehearing request

Four filers, inlcuding the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi Inc.,which represents the rural electric cooperatives,  asked Mississippi regulators to reconsider a compromise net metering rule, but the Public Service Commission denied the requests.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 1, 2016

Wind industry added 5 GW capacity in Q4 2015 with 75% of contracts to non-utility customers

The wind energy industry now has nearly 74.5 GW of cumulative installed capacity in the United States. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 29, 2016

NC regulator pushes for solar limits, new nuclear incentives

The renewable energy industry is booming, but Secretary of Environmental Quality Donald van der Vaart wants North Carolina to consider limits on solar farms and incentives for new nuclear generation.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 29, 2016

Report: Storage market for solar systems to hit $8B by 2026

The market for combining storage with solar will become more attractive as the cost of solar installations declines.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 29, 2016

Did solar lobbying tactics sow the seeds of the Nevada net metering controversy?

Aggressive efforts from the solar industry may have put off policymakers, some Nevada stakeholders say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2016

New Mexico House committee advances 10% solar tax credit extension

Without an extension, the 10% rebate for residential installations will expire at the end of the year, but the state's GOP governor refused to sign a similar proposal last year.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2016

Utility-backed Florida solar amendment nabs qualifying signatures for 2016 ballot

Florida's Supreme Court approval for the amendment's language is the final hurdle for the Consumers for Smart Solar to land a spot on the 2016 election ballot. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2016