Solar & Renewables: Page 2

Ørsted expands US offshore wind presence with $510M buy

The Danish offshore wind developer plans to close its acquisition of Deepwater Wind by the end of 2018.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 09, 2018

Arizona regulator wants to adopt 80% clean energy plan before gas moratorium ends

Commissioner Andy Tobin wants to have the Arizona Energy Modernization Plan adopted as a final rule by the middle of February — significantly faster than typical rulemaking proceedings.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 08, 2018

Michigan regulators clear Consumers PURPA rates, green tariff programs

Solar advocates say the avoided cost rates, on hold since November, will bring more certainty for potential investors.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 08, 2018

First US freshwater offshore wind project gets DOE approval, funding proposal

Federal regulators determined the Ohio Icebreaker Wind project, opposed by the coal company Murray Energy, will not have a "significant" environmental impact. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 05, 2018

Washington regulators approve tight rules on community solar

Some community solar advocates are raising concerns about the regulatory tape small entities could face in order to establish new projects.

By Catherine Morehouse • Oct. 04, 2018

SunPower becomes biggest US solar panel builder with SolarWorld purchase

The company's domestic manufacturing capacity expanded due to its acquisition of SolarWorld, one of the solar panel tariff petitioners, as part of an ongoing shakeout of U.S. production.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 04, 2018

Connecticut agencies say Millstone 'at risk' as Dominion seeks boost in clean energy RFP

If the state's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority agrees Dominion's Millstone nuclear plant is 'at risk,' it could receive above-market rates in Connecticut's solicitation for zero emission resources.

By Peter Maloney • Oct. 03, 2018

PJM recasts capacity repricing in market reform filing at FERC

The generator is trying for a second time to boost revenues for coal and gas generators in its capacity market after federal regulators threw out its market rules in June.

By Gavin Bade • Oct. 03, 2018

EPA MATS rollback threatens DOE carbon capture priorities, critics warn

Allowing utilities to stop using pollution scrubbers mandated under the EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards could raise the price for coal plants to adopt carbon capture, proponents of the technology said. 

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 02, 2018

9 solar and storage executives share utility wish lists

From sharing system data to opening grid plans to DERs, distributed energy vendors have a long list of priorities for utilities to address.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 02, 2018

Opinion

When PJM's capacity market stops working for consumers is it time to leave?

Illinois Commerce Commission Chairman Brien Sheahan urges states with renewable energy mandates or nuclear subsidies to reevaluate their participation in the largest U.S. electricity market.

By Brien J. Sheahan​

PJM: 'Significant chunk' of renewables to come from corporate procurement

Direct purchases from corporations are the largest area of renewable energy growth in the RTO, said senior market strategist Andrew Levitt.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Oct. 01, 2018

New solar hybrid combines energy storage with record system efficiency

Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Saudi Arabia say they have developed a device that could help electrify remote areas.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 01, 2018

Westar rate cut gets Kansas OK, but new solar demand charge could hike bills

Demand charges are common for industrial and larger commercial customers, but utilities have been trying to get regulators to approve them for residential customers as well.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 01, 2018

Michael Bloomberg to lead UN green finance campaign

The former New York City mayor will lead a year-long initiative meant to drive at least $100 billion of private finance by 2020 to programs that fight climate change.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 28, 2018

Gates, Bezos invest $1B in 7 additional energy startups

The billionaires are funding projects that address emissions concerns and energy efficiency through their new venture capital initiative. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 28, 2018

Massachusetts launches solar incentive program to develop 1.6 GW

The long-awaited Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target program is expected to save ratepayers an estimated $4.7 billion.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2018

88% of voters say utilities shouldn't block residential solar: SEIA

The result of the solar trade group's poll highlighted a growing consumer appeal for policies that advance the resource, including net metering and renewable energy mandates.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 27, 2018

Nevada approves 4-part plan to integrate more DER

The plans garnered support from clean energy advocates ahead of the state's ballot initiatives to spur renewable energy growth and to do away with regulated utility monopolies.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 27, 2018

Opinion

How FERC can protect customers and respect state energy policy authority in its PJM capacity market proceeding

FERC's PJM capacity market order must be implemented in a way that preserves the authority of the 13 states and D.C. to pursue clean energy and protects customers from billions in higher utility bills.

By Ann McCabe and Miles Farmer

Solar trade groups roll out tool to streamline permitting, interconnection

Delays in permitting and inspections for rooftop solar can add up to $1/watt of additional cost to a system, SEIA and The Solar Foundation said.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2018