Solar & Renewables: Page 2

Morgan Stanley joins group aiming to measure, reduce climate impact

The move comes less than two weeks after JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo were revealed as backers of a renewable energy group's Center for Climate-Aligned Finance.

By Dan Ennis • July 21, 2020

UK-based DER company enters North American market as US sits 'on the cusp' of mass transition

As the costs of battery storage drop in North America, a technology company focused on virtual power plants crosses the Atlantic to launch two new projects.

By Emma Penrod • July 21, 2020

COVID-19 puts spotlight on equity considerations in utility clean energy, efficiency and relief efforts

Utilities are engaging in programs and actions, including cost shifting, that can bring benefits to low-income customers, according to participants of the NARUC summer policy summit.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 21, 2020

SMUD aims for carbon neutrality by 2030 in new climate emergency declaration

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District's new goal is aggressive among the 25 other utility commitments to carbon-free or net-zero emissions by 2050.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 20, 2020

PREPA CEO sees bright future for embattled utility, but funding, grid mod challenges remain

PREPA plans to develop 1,800 MW of new renewable generation and signed a private sector partnership to manage its grid more efficiently.

By Robert Walton • July 20, 2020

FERC finalizes PURPA overhaul in move Glick says "discourages" small solar development

Changes include allowing states to set the rates paid to qualifying facilities at a variable wholesale rate rather than a fixed cost and reducing the size of a project that can qualify for PURPA rates from 20 MW to 5 MW.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 17, 2020

FERC shuts down petition to upend net metering, McNamee signals issue could return

Though all four commissioners voted against the petition, Commissioners James Danly and Bernard McNamee issued separate concurrence statements.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 17, 2020

New York adopts net metering alternative, delays implementation due to COVID-19

New rules and charges will go into effect in 2022, which solar stakeholders say gives the industry time to recover from the effects of the global pandemic.

By Robert Walton • July 17, 2020

BlackRock censures seven utility companies for lack of climate action, warns of other penalties

Analysts say BlackRock's choice to publish a list of over 200 companies it says haven't made sufficient progress on climate change "sends an unmistakable message." But shareholder activism alone won't mitigate climate risk, they say.

By Emma Penrod • July 17, 2020

New California regulation could jump-start solar panel recycling sector

The state's upcoming classification of photovoltaic panels as universal waste is expected to allow for greater efficiencies in handling a material stream that is projected to grow substantially in coming decades.

By Matthew Bandyk • July 16, 2020

JPMorgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs back launch of climate finance center

Banks are increasingly seeing the value — not just in optics but in revenue — of environmentally responsible investment.

By Dan Ennis • July 15, 2020

Biden outlines $2T plan to invest in renewables, electrification

While Joe Biden explains his vision of climate change as an opportunity for economic growth, a renewable industry report shows positive signs of recovery in the face of COVID-19.

By Emma Penrod • July 15, 2020

New McDonald's flagship runs 100% on renewable energy

The new restaurant, located near Disney's All-Star Resorts in Orlando, Florida, is part of the brand's push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 36% by 2030.

By Alicia Kelso • July 14, 2020

Solar VC funding down 74% in H1 2020 amid COVID-19 impacts: Mercom

The sector is not fully recovered from the impacts of the pandemic, but some analysts say the headwinds will only exist for the short term.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 13, 2020

Deep Dive

Audit of Hawaiian Electric sends a postcard about the future of regulation

The utility's restructuring has supported and streamlined Hawaii's ongoing "transition to a 100% renewable future," the audit reported. But "costs and staffing levels have also increased," often without "a clear role or purpose."

By Herman K. Trabish • July 13, 2020

Opinion

3 major policy trends to watch for in China's renewable energy market

National policies have laid a foundation for an open and competitive power market in China, the authors write. 

By Cihang Yuan and Daniel Riley • July 10, 2020

Deloitte: Intermittent renewables pass COVID-19 grid reliability test

Through mid-June this year, wind and solar energy made up 12% of the total U.S. generation average, up from 10% in 2019, while distributed energy resources and storage is one of the "primary areas" for building new capacity over the midterm.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 09, 2020

Coal retirements spur 8% drop in 2019 power sector carbon pollution after Duke, Vistra top 2018 emitters: Ceres

Vistra has already retired or announced the retirement of nine coal plants since 2018, a sign of how rapidly the power sector shifted last year

By Catherine Morehouse • July 08, 2020

Sunrun buys Vivint Solar for $3.2B

With the acquisition of the residential solar provider, to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2020, Sunrun seeks to consolidate costs and realize scale benefits, saving about $90 million annually.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 07, 2020

Deep Dive

Momentum grows for piloting Netflix-like fixed subscription rates, but not everyone's on board

For customers who want predictable bills, pairing automated smart distribution technologies with flat rates can resolve the overuse challenge of traditional fixed bills.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 07, 2020

Interior Department to streamline offshore wind permitting, nix unsolicited leasing

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management plans to issue proposed rules this month to deregulate offshore wind and facilitate more development, according to the Trump administration's Spring Regulatory Agenda.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 06, 2020

Column

Taking Charge: Wisconsin's newest utility commissioner on the state's 'utility-scale changeover'

Wisconsin Public Service Commissioner Tyler Huebner spoke to Utility Dive about the state's transition from coal and toward a greener, more distributed grid.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 06, 2020

NERA counters broad opposition to FERC net metering petition, reveals utility-linked member

Attorneys for the New England Ratepayers Association have revealed one of its members — the president and founder of energy consulting firm Brant Energy, whose clients include National Grid, Eversource and DTE Energy.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 02, 2020

Trump officials address prospects and challenges of California offshore wind development

A group of stakeholders have identified potential leasing areas off the West Coast that don't interfere with Department of Defense activities.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 02, 2020

Florida's customer-sited solar reaches new heights as regulators oppose federal petition to upend net metering

The Florida Public Service Commission joined other states to oppose a national petition in support of state-led net metering policies.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 01, 2020