BNEF: Solar tax credit extension could up the ante for net metering

With Congress closing in on an extension of the solar investment tax credit, analysts say that could spur new pressure from utilities on net metering rules.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2015

Rooftop solar owned by the user can add to home values, LBNL research shows

A new study uses side-by-side home comparisons to put a more accurate number on the value of solar systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2015

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

Duke unveils first solar projects owned and operated by its regulated utilities

The 75 MW solar acquisition is driven by North Carolina’s 12.5% by 2021 renewables mandate. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2015

San Diego City Council approves 100% renewables by 2035 Climate Action Plan

The mandate is expected to cut city emissions 50% and grow the economy, lawmakers said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2015

Solar federal tax credit extension could boost installations 54%

Amid news that Congress is considering a five-year extension of the solar investment tax credit, GTM Research is predicting a 54% increase in installations through 2020 compared to if the credit program was allowed to lapse.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2015

Will business adoption of solar stall or surge?

E Source's Bill LeBlanc shares what he has learned about business adoption of solar — and what utilities should do about it.

By Bill LeBlanc • Dec. 16, 2015

Congress strikes deal to extend wind, solar tax credits and lift oil export ban

House Republicans unveiled a broad spending bill Tuesday night includes provisions to extend key tax breaks for wind and solar installations in exchange for lifting the 40-year-old ban on oil exports from the United States.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 16, 2015

Texas wind sets new records as gas, coal, nuclear generation shares decline

Strong winds, new installed capacity and low gas prices are reshaping the ERCOT generation mix.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 16, 2015

Tesla teams up with Australia utility to begin selling solar+storage systems

Australia's Origin Energy has begun bundling Tesla Powerwall batteries to customers Down Under.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 16, 2015

California regulators propose to keep retail rate net metering for solar—with a few changes

The California Public Utilities Commission proposed to keep in place the current solar net metering retail rate renumeration, but tweaked it in an attempt to help utilities recoup costs from residential rooftop solar owners. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 15, 2015

SolarCity admits funding outside group targeting Arizona utility regulators

The solar installer called on APS, Arizona’s top electric utility, to disclose the groups it funds as well.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2015

2015: A banner year for energy storage

Energy storage hit many milestones in 2015 and reached its highest level of deployment to date.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 15, 2015

Hawaiian Electric clears rooftop solar backlog, readying it for post-net metering era

Hawaiian Electric Co. approved  2,749 solar applications from its October 2014 backlog, the last remaining customers that will receive the retail rate net energy metering credit in the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2015

New Mexico industrial customers protest $1.5M in proposed fuel savings charges

The state's renewable energy laws cap investments for large entities, but a hearing examiner at the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission is directing 25 major industrial energy users to pay $1.5 million in fuel savings costs.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2015

How utilities are meeting rising corporate demand for renewables

U.S. companies are bypassing utilities to buy renewables, but three new IOU programs hold promise for power company involvement in the burgeoning sector. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 14, 2015

Sunrun files lawsuit against Nevada governor to get text messages with NV Energy

The solar company is seeking evidence that Gov. Sandoval sought advice from utility lobbyists.   

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 11, 2015

Offshore wind farm, onshore battery storage floated for site off Long Island

In response to PSEG-Long Island’s request for new local energy resources, Deepwater Wind wants to pair an offshore wind farm with battery storage.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2015

The factors driving wind and solar toward grid parity

A new analysis from Deloitte shows when, where, and why renewables can be cost-competitive. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

Maryland lawmakers to propose 25%-by-2020 renewable energy standard

Clean energy advocates are rallying around a bill that would create incentives for roughly 1,300 MW of new clean energy in Maryland.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 10, 2015

El Paso council rejects Texas utility's proposal to create solar customer class

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has the final say in EPE's $71.5 million rate increase proposal. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

PowerGen 2015: Dynegy and CAISO CEOs illustrate a generation industry in flux

The Dynegy CEO called for federal intervention if Ohio regulators approve income supports for aging coal and nuclear plants, while the CAISO CEO warned generators that his high-renewables "experiment" would soon be their reality.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 9, 2015

Santee Cooper board approves fixed charges for solar users

Solar advocates say the public utility's additonal charges to solar owners defies South Carolina’s solar legislation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2015

Why Australia is a 'proving ground' for solar-plus-storage

Changes in solar tariffs could lead to a boom in energy storage installations in Australia, which echoes similar patterns in the U.S.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 8, 2015

US lawmakers propose 5-year phase-out of renewable tax credits

Renewable developers say they will eventually be able to compete without subsidies, but need a little more time. Some in Congress, however, think it's time to start phasing out inventives.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2015

As IOUs push solar, Santee Cooper rate plan draws ire of South Carolina greens

Clean energy activists say the state's public utility is dragging its feet on solar while IOUs charge ahead.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015