North Carolina hits milestone with 1 GW of solar

The state hits a major solar capacity milestone amid a heated battle between  renewables advocates and lawmakers over the state's renewable energy policies. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

APS withdraws controversial solar grid fee request

Arizona Public Service filed a request to withdraw from a hearing over its request for a $21 grid access fee, but only if the Arizona Corporation Commission moves forward with cost-of-service hearings in time for APS'  2016 rate case. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 28, 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

Newly-opened NJ offshore wind tract could yield 3,400 MW of capacity

The federal government has opened nearly 350,000 acres of ocean off the coast of New Jersey to wind development in a bid to meet President Obama's clean energy goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

New York funds 5 clean energy projects under REV for $175M

The largest of the projects will be a 100 MW wind farm being developed by RES America Developments in Chautauqua County.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2015

How to become the 'Utility of the Future?' Industry experts weigh in

The key to creating the utility of the future is combining consumer demands with emerging technology in smart grids, energy efficiency and distribution generation, experts said during the 2015 Solar Power International conference. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 28, 2015

Vermont's updated energy plan reaffirms 90% renewable goal

The plan calls for utilities to develop microgrids, renewable transporation and buildings as part of its goal to run mostly on renewable energy. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2015

New SolarCity service targets low-income housing developments

The nation's largest solar installer has launched a new service aimed at lowering the cost of renewable energy for low-income housing communities.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 28, 2015

As solar prices drop fast, Austin Energy seeks to delay chunk of 600 MW purchase

Bids for utility-scale solar in the Southwest are falling farther and farther below $0.04/kWh.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 2015

Hawaii PUC approves solar TOU rate pilot for co-op KIUC

The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative will cut daytime power rates about 25% for participants in a bid to get them to utilize more solar during its peak generating hours.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2015

Entergy brings Mississippi's first utility solar pilot project online

The 500 kW arrays will allow the utility to test solar economics and feasibility.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 25, 2015

Solar sector pleased as Nevada Gov. appoints Office of Energy head to PUC

Paul Thomsen, director of the Nevada Office of Energy, previously testified in favor of compelling the PUC to find a permanent net metering tariff.

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 24, 2015

Senate Dems pack climate bill full of clean energy goodies, but no carbon tax

A proposed climate bill introduced by U.S. Senate Democrats was expected to be mostly political messaging, but instead is an expansive platform of clean energy policies. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 24, 2015

What solar's latest growth numbers say about the sector's future

Solar growth is likely to set more records until the federal tax credits expire, but good state policies and utility buy in could fuel growth even if national incentives aren't extended.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 24, 2015

As solar cap looms, installers ask CA regulators for interim metering measures

Companies in San Diego Gas & Electric territory say business could soon come to a standstill as the region approaches its net metering cap. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2015

Negative RECs for community solar: Market failure or utility opportunity?

Bidding has driven prices for Renewable Energy Credits for community solar projects into negative territory in Colorado, and installers say that constrains their ability to serve all customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 23, 2015

Younicos to construct first utility-scale Texas solar-storage project

The facility will be the first such utility-scale project in the ERCOT market, although smaller demonstration projects have shown promise in the state.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 22, 2015

Inside Southern California Edison's energy storage strategy

Nearly a year on from a monster storage buy, SCE President Pedro Pizarro spoke to Utility Dive about what his company's learned about storage and the next steps for its wider deployment.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 22, 2015

Portland General Electric could join CAISO Energy Imbalance Market

PGE reportedly turned away from the Northwest Power Pool to take advantage of millions in savings being realized by the imbalance market.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 22, 2015

Green Mountain Power launches Vermont 'solar sharing' program

The Vermont utility offers a "Solar Sharing Network" aimed at broadening access to clean energy, further enhancing its reputation as a progressive power producer. 

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2015

Energy Dept. unveils plan to double energy productivity by 2030

The DOE "roadmap" calls for updated vehicle standards, efficient rate designs, putting more information into hands of consumers and businesses reinvesting avoided energy costs.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 22, 2015

3 Arizona regulators face new allegations of bias against rooftop solar industry

The news comes as the Arizona Corporation Commission is poised to evaluate a proposed grid access fee for Arizona Public Service Co. net metering customers. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Sept. 21, 2015

Feds approve North Carolina ocean tract for offshore wind developments

The announcement puts 300,000 acres of ocean on track for lease bidding by the end of 2015.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2015

CA government, SMUD contract for 100% renewable power for state buildings

California's state government contract with local muni in Sacramento makes the Brown administration one of the biggest U.S. renewables buyers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2015

A good rate design is hard to find: Experts push utility-solar compromise

As utilties step up their efforts to compensate for perceived cost shifts caused by rooftop solar, getting rates right will be essential for both power company revenues and DER growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • Sept. 21, 2015

NRG will separate renewable, fossil generation in major reorganization

Amid mounting pressure from shareholders, the power sector giant will form a new clean energy business and transfer wind assets to its yieldco.

By Gavin Bade • Sept. 18, 2015