New Mexico regulators deny El Paso Electric monthly charge on distributed generation

The ruling to protect DG owners from discriminatory ratemaking practices follows similar decisions in other states.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2015

Hawaii's largest solar array, complete with storage, now online

REC Solar has brought a 12 MW solar system online for Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, which is paired with a lithium-ion battery system to smooth renewable integration.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 3, 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

Ice, ice energy: The hot market for cooled liquid energy storage

Ice Energy and CALMAC are proving their value while newer technologies wrestle with cost.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2015

The day after: How solar can thrive in the post-net metering era

With storage, TOU rates and control tech, solar can boom in the absence of net metering and benefit utilities as well.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 3, 2015

Xcel proposes 2 solar-storage projects in Denver

The two solar+storage projects aims to test out battery operations paired with solar systems for future "smart" and "sustainable" cities, officials said. 

By Robert Walton • Nov. 3, 2015

New Enphase solar-storage product combines monitoring, control in a single device

Enphase Energy is introducing an all-in-one solar storage and control system in December.

By Peter Maloney • Nov. 2, 2015

Wisconsin Public Service seeks third fixed charge increase in three years

As WPS looks to add another $6 to monthly residential fixed charges, a state court tosses out an earlier fixed charge increase from We Energies saying it discriminates against solar owners.

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 2, 2015

Arizona gears up for full cost-benefit solar value proceeding

Can a combination of cost-of-service and value-of-solar studies end the state's distributed generation wars?

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 2, 2015

ITC sunset in sight, SolarCity shifts from growth to cost cutting strategy

With strong third quarter growth this year, the company is turning its attention to post-tax credit profitability. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Nov. 2, 2015

Austin Energy, First Solar ink deal for 119 MW of solar

The project is due  to come online before the end of 2016 to qualify for the 30% tax credit.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 30, 2015

3 US companies make rankings of world's top 20 greenest utilities

A Spanish conglomerate focused on renewables took the top slot, while NextEra Energy was the highest-ranked U.S. utility. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 30, 2015

Inside the first fully dispatchable utility solar-storage project in Hawaii

SolarCity is combining solar panels and storage in a single project on Kaua'i, but the most innovative part of the deal could be how it is structured.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 29, 2015

Massachusetts House seeks 2,400 MW cap on net metering

Legislative leaders say they want to give residential solar some breathing room before they push to pass a comprehensive energy bill next year. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 29, 2015

Rocky Mountain Power unveils clean energy proposal, but skeptics remain

The Salt Lake City-based utility wants to offer a new, lower tariff for expanding businesses and split residential bills into use and access charges in a plan aimed at cutting emissions. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 29, 2015

FERC: Renewables account for over 60% of new generation in 2015

The latest energy infrastructure report from FERC finds wind up to 5.9% of U.S. generation capacity, while solar passes the 1% mark, even with the rooftop sector not included.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 28, 2015

Bipartisan coalition launches Congressional Battery Storage Caucus

The new group in the U.S. Congress aims to educate lawmakers about storage and push legislation to boost the industry.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 27, 2015

From theory to practice: The challenges in moving to 'Utility 2.0'

Executives from four major utilities spoke at ESNA 2015 about the trials and tribulations of putting more new technology on their grids. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2015

ERCOT again sets new wind generation record

Wind generation on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas' grid reached 12,238 MW last week, besting a record set the previous month.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 27, 2015

Xcel CEO: Wind is a better long-term buy than natural gas

Wind's 20-year PPA price of $25/MWh compares favorably with the economics of gas generation, CEO Ben Fowke said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2015

Vermont solar boom pushes utilities closer to net metering cap

Vermont regulators move toward new law to revise the state's net metering policy and support solar. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 27, 2015

Hawaii PUC chair defends landmark decision to end retail rate net metering

With business disruption expected, solar installers have filed a lawsuit against the regulators and requested an injunction.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 26, 2015

Wind industry installed over 1,600 MW of capacity in Q3 2015

As the industry notches its second-best third quarter ever, last year’s federal tax credit extension continues to buoy installers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2015

Virginia regulators order Dominion to open solar build to competitive bids

Dominion wants to build the first utility-scale solar in Virginia itself, but critics and regulators are concerned about the price.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 23, 2015

FL Supreme Court approves wording for third party-owned solar ballot petition

The Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of a ballot measure that would open the door to third party-owned solar in the state.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 22, 2015

What comes after net metering: Hawaii's latest postcard from the future

Hawaii regulators offered two new remuneration schemes for rooftop solar in a landmark decision last week, along with new guidance on time of use rates.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 22, 2015