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

Explore the Trendline➔

The Energy Transition to Renewables

Rising demand for power is continuing to drive demand for renewables, but policy uncertainty and mixed signals from the Trump administration add to existing challenges.

By Utility Dive staff

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

Cheap gas stalls Indiana wind development

Indiana has brought only two windfarms online in the past four years, despite a recent study finding the sector is poised to triple its installed capacity.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2015

Electrical workers union is first intervenor to back NextEra-HECO merger

A local union of electrical workers had favored the deal, then opposed it due to a lack of support from NextEra, but now is back on board after assurances from the company.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2015

Arizona: Utility regulators to consider value of solar

State regulators approved Arizona Public Service's request to withdraw its application for higher solar fees and opened a new docket to examine the value of solar PV.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 22, 2015

New TVA study puts solar's value at under retail rate of electricity

Critics say the range of value streams assessed by the utility is too narrow and does not include many grid and environmental benefits. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 21, 2015

NY regulators lift solar net metering caps until REV docket sets DER values

Retail rate remuneration to remain in place until regulators and utilities settle on a more comprehensive value for distributed resources.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 21, 2015

Wind builders bet on extension of federal tax credits in project planning

With over 70% of congressional districts holding a stake in wind, developers are optimistic.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 20, 2015

Amid ITC concerns, Austin Energy approved for 450 MW of solar by 2019

Utility leaders and city lawmakers had to weigh the economics of building solar before the 30% ITC expires, or waiting and hoping that future price reductions outweigh a possible cut in federal incentives.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 20, 2015

Primer: The now and future impacts of energy storage

As renewables penetration grows, utilities will see the need for storage to move generation to when consumers use the most electricity.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 20, 2015

How digital power plant tech can help utilities get the most from their assets

GE says its new plant technology can yield up to $230M in annual benefits for a gas plant and $100M for a wind farm.

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 19, 2015

NRDC: US has reached 'historic levels' of renewables, poised for greater gains

The United States has reached a new energy era, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 19, 2015

Defying the usual headlines: How utility-solar collaborations are helping solar grow

The Solar Electric Power Association awarded five utilities, individuals and partners for collaborating on policies and programs to push solar as a power resource at the Solar Power International conference earlier this year. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Oct. 15, 2015

Minnesota town targets 100% renewable energy by 2031

Rochester, Minn., is developing a plan to reach all clean energy in the next 15 years, the latest town in a growing trend to do so, and calls energy efficiency a "top priority."

By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2015

Duke launches solar rebate program in South Carolina

Duke plans expand its renewable energy footprint in the Palmetto State from less than 2 MW to at least 110 MW, with possibly more to come by 2021.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2015

Honey, I shrunk the grids: The emergence of 'nanogrids'

The falling cost of energy storage and solar panels is fueling the growth of “nanogrids,” small systems that often serve a single building, according to new research.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 14, 2015

Hawaii PUC ends net metering program

Hawaii's utility regulators ruled to end the state's net metering program, which drove rooftop solar installations in the state. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Oct. 14, 2015

Offshore wind developers worry US market will falter

At least one developer worries that if the United States can't get the offshore wind market moving in the next decade, the resource could miss its big opportunity.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 14, 2015

Facing coal retirements, Western utilities turn to cheap natural gas

While still integrating cleaner renewable energy, utilities are increasingly turning to natural gas as a cheap alternative to coal or out-of-state power.

By Robert Walton • Oct. 13, 2015