Solar & Renewables: Page 2

Activist investors push Sempra to sell renewable assets, focus on utilities and LNG

Elliott Management and Bluescape Resources, 5% owners of Sempra, say their plan could create $11 billion-$16 billion in value.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2018

Boston mayor urges cities to join large-scale renewable energy purchase

The city has already recruited Chicago; Houston; Los Angeles; Orlando, Fla.; Portland, Ore. and Evanston, Ill. to its initiative.

By Jason Plautz • June 11, 2018

National Grid settlement curbs rate increase, ups grid mod in Rhode Island

The agreement is part of Rhode Island's power sector transformation and calls for investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, energy storage and advanced metering.

By Robert Walton • June 11, 2018

Navajo coal plant nears 2019 closure with Arizona water agency decision

The agency found cheaper sources of energy and did not renew its power purchase agreement, raising the bar for a potential buyer to rescue the Navajo Generation Station.

By Peter Maloney • June 08, 2018

Xcel details plans to shut 660 MW coal, build 1.8 GW renewables in Colorado

The plan would raise the renewable share of the company's Colorado generating portfolio to 55% and reduce the coal share from 44% to 24%, all by 2026.

By Robert Walton • June 07, 2018

New Missouri law authorizes Ameren to invest $1B, cuts rates

Missouri Senate approval of the bill last month prompted Morningstar analysts to raise Ameren's share-price valuation.

By Robert Walton • June 06, 2018

Palo Verde nuke can remain open with 50% Arizona RPS, NRDC report finds

Arizona voters in November could consider a proposal to raise the state's renewable portfolio standard to 50%. Arizona Public Service says that would force the closure of the nation's largest nuclear power plant.

By Robert Walton • June 06, 2018

PJM region and California dominate US storage via different paths

While the two jurisdictions are dominating, other areas are rising as New York and Massachusetts implement energy storage targets.

By Peter Maloney • June 06, 2018

NV Energy to double renewable capacity — if voters reject retail choice

The utility's proposal includes six new solar projects that, combined with battery storage, would add more than 1 GW of renewables to the state's portfolio.

By Robert Walton • June 01, 2018

US doubles solar manufacturing, but not jobs (yet)

Job creation is not guaranteed in the sector despite an increase in domestic solar panel manufacturing, according to analysts.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 31, 2018

New wind project would move MidAmerican within reach of 100% renewables goal

The utility wants to generate enough electricity from wind to equal its customer demand for a year, though other assets will likely remain on the system. 

By Gavin Bade • May 31, 2018

Salt River Project launches first standalone storage project

SRP is buying power from a new 10 MW battery system by an AES/Siemens venture, as it works to increase the reliability of its system and offset renewable energy installations.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2018

Xcel to add 1.2 GW of wind to Texas, New Mexico mix, as PUC gives formal OK

The utility's plan nearly doubles the amount of wind capacity in that service area through two wind farms and a power purchase agreement from wind farms developed by NextEra.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 30, 2018

State regulators approve Westar, Great Plains Energy $15B merger

Kansas and Missouri regulators approved the deal after the companies removed a $4.9 billion acquisition premium that Great Plains proposed to pay for Westar.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2018

South Carolina regulators reject rehearing for controversial SCE&G solar rates

The utility's most recent avoided cost calculations lower the rates paid to PURPA projects to $0/kW-year.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 29, 2018

Opinion

Minnesota overhauls interconnection standards to streamline clean energy

The standards are the great equalizer in clean energy markets, and remain a key building block to support a strong foundation for continued clean energy growth, writes IREC Counsel Sky Stanfield.

By Sky Stanfield

Renewables boom is a bust for gas equipment suppliers like GE

If renewables fill the gap left by a wave of power plant retirements, gas turbine suppliers who expected strong growth could suffer. 

By Peter Maloney • May 24, 2018

Pittsburgh sets goal of 50% energy reduction in revised climate plan

Behind local leadership and strong public support, the plan also calls for the city to turn its operations to 100% renewable energy and to adopt a 100% fossil fuel-free vehicle fleet. 

By Jason Plautz

Southern Co. unit to sell 33% of solar assets for $1.2B

Executives are exploring third-party equity financing for much of the subsidiary's wind portfolio.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • May 24, 2018

New Jersey Gov. Murphy signs bills creating zero emission credits for nuclear

The plan is to move the state toward 100% clean energy with nuclear power as an essential part of the mix.

By Peter Maloney • May 24, 2018