DTE Energy's new solar contracts will triple Michigan solar

Solar developer Inovateus Solar and state’s biggest electricity provider join for two utility scale installations totalling 45 MW.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 23, 2015

Louisiana regulators set to wrestle with net metering in 2016

The Louisiana Public Service Commission is struggling with how to encourage rooftop solar amid competing cost claims.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 23, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Data Centers and the US Grid

A look at how data centers are affecting the U.S. grid today and how new technologies and rate structures could affect that trajectory in the years to come.

By Utility Dive staff

Storage in 2016: Utility-scale, long-duration markets take the lead

Behind-the-meter storage grew by a factor of 16 in 2015, but next year expect to see front-of-the-meter applications continue to make up the lion's share of new deployments.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 22, 2015

U.S. wind industry hits 70 GW capacity mark, celebrates tax credit extension

The extended incentives are expected to drive 19 GW of growth and make wind cost-competitive by 2020.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 22, 2015

South Atlantic states lag in utility-scale solar with NC, GA as bright spots for growth

Solar booms in North Carolina and Georgia make the states rank nationally in solar deployment, but their region still lags behind the Southwest. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 22, 2015

Editor's Picks: The biggest Utility Dive stories of 2015

2015 was a time of change like no other in the electric power sector. Here's a recap of the year as told by some of our most important stories. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 22, 2015

Solar ballot measure battle in Florida likely postponed to 2018 election

Funding troubles and a lack of signatures means that Floridians for Solar Choice will likely need to wait for the 2018 ballot to get their proposal in front of voters. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 21, 2015

Mississippi co-op offers threatens to sue regulators unless they lower net metering rate

The South Mississippi Electric Power Association says the Mississippi Public Service Commission can’t set rates for electric co-ops. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 21, 2015

Germany's Sonnen takes on Tesla Powerwall in the U.S.

Germany's Sonnen said last week that it is shipping its first storage units to the U.S. market. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 21, 2015

Ohio lawmaker says AEP plant subsidy settlement ignores legislature's will on renewables

A Republican Ohio lawmaker has "major concerns" regarding the renewable energy requirements of a settlement that guarantees income at certain American Electric Power coal facilities.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2015

After Paris, utilities look to deeper decarbonization

Power companies realize they will likely need to cut CO2 emissions more than current regulations demand, but how remains a challenge. 

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 18, 2015

BNEF: Solar tax credit extension could up the ante for net metering

With Congress closing in on an extension of the solar investment tax credit, analysts say that could spur new pressure from utilities on net metering rules.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2015

Rooftop solar owned by the user can add to home values, LBNL research shows

A new study uses side-by-side home comparisons to put a more accurate number on the value of solar systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2015

Duke unveils first solar projects owned and operated by its regulated utilities

The 75 MW solar acquisition is driven by North Carolina’s 12.5% by 2021 renewables mandate. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2015

San Diego City Council approves 100% renewables by 2035 Climate Action Plan

The mandate is expected to cut city emissions 50% and grow the economy, lawmakers said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2015

Solar federal tax credit extension could boost installations 54%

Amid news that Congress is considering a five-year extension of the solar investment tax credit, GTM Research is predicting a 54% increase in installations through 2020 compared to if the credit program was allowed to lapse.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 17, 2015

Will business adoption of solar stall or surge?

E Source's Bill LeBlanc shares what he has learned about business adoption of solar — and what utilities should do about it.

By Bill LeBlanc • Dec. 16, 2015

Congress strikes deal to extend wind, solar tax credits and lift oil export ban

House Republicans unveiled a broad spending bill Tuesday night includes provisions to extend key tax breaks for wind and solar installations in exchange for lifting the 40-year-old ban on oil exports from the United States.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 16, 2015

Texas wind sets new records as gas, coal, nuclear generation shares decline

Strong winds, new installed capacity and low gas prices are reshaping the ERCOT generation mix.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 16, 2015

Tesla teams up with Australia utility to begin selling solar+storage systems

Australia's Origin Energy has begun bundling Tesla Powerwall batteries to customers Down Under.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 16, 2015

California regulators propose to keep retail rate net metering for solar—with a few changes

The California Public Utilities Commission proposed to keep in place the current solar net metering retail rate renumeration, but tweaked it in an attempt to help utilities recoup costs from residential rooftop solar owners. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 15, 2015

Hawaiian Electric clears rooftop solar backlog, readying it for post-net metering era

Hawaiian Electric Co. approved  2,749 solar applications from its October 2014 backlog, the last remaining customers that will receive the retail rate net energy metering credit in the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2015

SolarCity admits funding outside group targeting Arizona utility regulators

The solar installer called on APS, Arizona’s top electric utility, to disclose the groups it funds as well.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 15, 2015

2015: A banner year for energy storage

Energy storage hit many milestones in 2015 and reached its highest level of deployment to date.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 15, 2015

New Mexico industrial customers protest $1.5M in proposed fuel savings charges

The state's renewable energy laws cap investments for large entities, but a hearing examiner at the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission is directing 25 major industrial energy users to pay $1.5 million in fuel savings costs.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2015