How utilities are meeting rising corporate demand for renewables

U.S. companies are bypassing utilities to buy renewables, but three new IOU programs hold promise for power company involvement in the burgeoning sector. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 14, 2015

Sunrun files lawsuit against Nevada governor to get text messages with NV Energy

The solar company is seeking evidence that Gov. Sandoval sought advice from utility lobbyists.   

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 11, 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

Offshore wind farm, onshore battery storage floated for site off Long Island

In response to PSEG-Long Island’s request for new local energy resources, Deepwater Wind wants to pair an offshore wind farm with battery storage.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 11, 2015

The factors driving wind and solar toward grid parity

A new analysis from Deloitte shows when, where, and why renewables can be cost-competitive. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

Maryland lawmakers to propose 25%-by-2020 renewable energy standard

Clean energy advocates are rallying around a bill that would create incentives for roughly 1,300 MW of new clean energy in Maryland.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 10, 2015

El Paso council rejects Texas utility's proposal to create solar customer class

The Public Utility Commission of Texas has the final say in EPE's $71.5 million rate increase proposal. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 10, 2015

PowerGen 2015: Dynegy and CAISO CEOs illustrate a generation industry in flux

The Dynegy CEO called for federal intervention if Ohio regulators approve income supports for aging coal and nuclear plants, while the CAISO CEO warned generators that his high-renewables "experiment" would soon be their reality.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 9, 2015

Santee Cooper board approves fixed charges for solar users

Solar advocates say the public utility's additonal charges to solar owners defies South Carolina’s solar legislation. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 9, 2015

Why Australia is a 'proving ground' for solar-plus-storage

Changes in solar tariffs could lead to a boom in energy storage installations in Australia, which echoes similar patterns in the U.S.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 8, 2015

US lawmakers propose 5-year phase-out of renewable tax credits

Renewable developers say they will eventually be able to compete without subsidies, but need a little more time. Some in Congress, however, think it's time to start phasing out inventives.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 8, 2015

Mississippi regulators approve state's first net metering plan

Mississippi regulators have approved a net metering plan which compensates solar panel owners at a rate between the retail and wholesale prices of electricity. 

By Robert Walton • Dec. 7, 2015

As IOUs push solar, Santee Cooper rate plan draws ire of South Carolina greens

Clean energy activists say the state's public utility is dragging its feet on solar while IOUs charge ahead.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 7, 2015

Google nearly doubles investment in renewables with 842 MW of wind and solar

The tech giant is calling its latest clean energy commitment "the largest, most diverse purchase of renewable energy by a non-utility."

By Krysti Shallenberger • Dec. 4, 2015

EIA: Small-scale installations make up a third of solar generation

The U.S. Energy Information Administration has begun including small-scale solar installations in monthly generation data.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 4, 2015

New York town mulls defection from utility grid

Nassau, N.Y., is considering leaving National Grid to provide power for municipal services through solar panels and wind turbines.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 4, 2015

San Diego City Council readies 100% renewables mandate for approval

Under the city's proposed Climate Action Plan, community choice aggregation could take the place of utility power procurement.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 4, 2015

Is TASC splintering the rooftop solar industry?

As solar markets evolve, once-allied companies are being divided by contentious electricity policy issues on both the national and state level.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 3, 2015

ERCOT: New generation pushes reserve margins up 20% through 2025

Almost 10,000 MW of new generation added by 2018 will push the reserve margin in ERCOT above 20%.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 3, 2015

Critics say Appalachian Power dragging feet on solar energy

It's not easy to build significant amounts of new generation quickly, according to the utility, but critics say a plan to reach 6% renewables is seriously lacking.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 2, 2015

SDG&E is preparing to lobby against community choice, advocates say

The utility has filed paperwork to establish a marketing division that will communicate on community choice issues, which by law it is prohibited from doing using ratepayer funds.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 2, 2015

Canadian muni launches solar-storage pilot to shift generation to peak hours

Oshawa Power and Utilities Corp. in Canada and Japanese manufacturer Tabuchi Electric have launched a pilot program to test solar-plus-storage systems in 30 homes.

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 2, 2015

Entergy Louisiana will reduce solar remuneration after hitting net metering cap

Other Louisiana utilities expected to hit the cap soon, leaving the state's solar future in doubt. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 2, 2015

5 drivers making 100% renewables possible

A new paper offers companies and governments a toolkit to implement five transformative opportunities and reach big renewables targets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 2, 2015

How NRG is testing the next step of energy storage: Vehicle-to-grid integration

NRG EVgo and University of California, San Diego are testing out electric vehicle batteries on UCSD's microgrid as an energy storage option. 

By Peter Maloney • Dec. 1, 2015

City of Las Vegas strikes deal for 100% renewables as casinos look to defect

While the city has struck a deal that puts in on a path towards all carbon-free energy, a handful of casinos are opting out of NV Energy's service in search of cheaper options.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 1, 2015