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

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

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

Xcel proposes overhaul of its Colorado grid to include more renewables, smart meters

Xcel Energy this week is making a series of filings with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, describing an extensive overhaul of how the utility plans to serve 1.4 million customers.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2016

Wind growth leaves Oklahoma paying millions more than anticipated in incentives

A controversial tax incentive designed to entice wind farms to Oklahoma has the state paying out millions more than expected at a time when it faces a $900 million budget shortfall.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2016

New Jersey Gov. Christie vetoes offshore wind bill

The bill, sent back to the legislature without Christie's signature, would have pushed regultors to reconsider smaller offshore wind energy applications. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 27, 2016

Solar-storage system helps Hawaii aquaculture facility operate off grid

A lithium ion battery and solar panel system has enabled a Hawaiin nursery to opreate independently of high grid-connected utility rates.

By Peter Maloney • Jan. 26, 2016

Study: Deep decarbonization of U.S. grid possible without energy storage

Carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced 80%, relative to 1990 levels, without significant impacts on retail prices or participation from energy storage, a new report concludes. 

By Robert Walton • Jan. 26, 2016

NV Energy proposes 'grandfathering' existing rooftop solar customers

Solar advocates have expressed opposition to recent net metering rule changes that place existing solar customers onto new rates in Nevada.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 26, 2016

10 state rooftop solar debates to watch in 2016 and beyond

As solar deployment spreads, so do policy debates about its value to customers and utilities. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 25, 2016

GTM: Global solar added 59 GW in 2015 with China leading at 19 GW

The U.S. added 7 GW in 2015, but analysts expect more in the coming years thanks to an extension of vital tax credits.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2016

Mississippi electric co-ops ask regulators for rehearing on net metering

The co-ops say their nonprofit, member-owned status means they should have the right to set their own solar net metering rates. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 25, 2016

New York Gov. Cuomo unveils $5B clean energy fund

The New York State Public Service Commission approved the plan, which aims to support state efforts to reach 50% renewables by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 22, 2016

PSE&G's renewables arm buys 66.6 MW of solar for $110M

Those purchases bring PSEG Solar Source's portfolio to 14 projects and more than 214 MW.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 22, 2016

Nevada PUC to reconsider 'grandfathering' provision in new net metering policy

Regulators will reconsider a provision that applies new remuneration rates and charges to existing solar installations, as well as new ones. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Jan. 21, 2016

Can utilities learn to love distributed solar like central station arrays?

Utility-scale solar has become mainstream among U.S. power providers, but persisting questions around cost and valuation are masking further opportunties in the distributed generation space, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016

ISO/RTO model best alternative to Hawaiian Electric service, Maui report concludes

A report commissioned by leaders in Maui County, Hawaii, suggests forming an independent system operator to take over grid operations from the investor-owned utility. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016

Solar customers file lawsuit against NV Energy over new net metering rates

The customers say the utility unlawfully reduced their net metering rates to stave off competition from rooftop solar companies. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2016

SunEdison buys 33% stake in Dominion solar portfolio, moves assets to yieldco

SunEdison completed the acquisition of a third of the 231 MW portfolio, and then dropped the assets into Terra Nova Renewable Partners, a partnership managed by SunEdison and J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2016