How utilities are leveraging new software to help customers go solar

A new Clean Power Research product helps customers choose the right size and rate for rooftop solar, and pick the right finance plan.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 25, 2015

Xcel, Minnesota solar co's reach compromise on community solar size, placement

Regulators could decide today how to limit the state's community solar program, possibly capping co-located projects at 5 MW.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 Stories from Utility Dive

Power demand is rising amid dramatic shifts in federal energy policy, but technology and markets continue to push the grid toward cleaner, more distributed resources. 

By Utility Dive staff

GTM: US microgrid capacity set to double by 2020

Driven by the falling cost of storage and state subsidies, microgrids are spreading around the country and within five years will incorporate more than 25% renewable power.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2015

Report: Solar's value is nearly 17 cents/kWh, utilities under-compensating

Eight of 11 studies reviewed by Environment America found the value of solar energy was higher than the average local residential retail electricity rate.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2015

How California plans to integrate distributed resources into its ISO market

California’s ISO will be the first to open its market to rooftop PV, batteries and EVs, but there's much to do before the first bids can come in.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 24, 2015

Duke solar partner REC Solar buys commercial sector competitor Stellar Energy

With a 400 MW portfolio, Duke’s installer is getting ready to compete with sector giant SolarCity.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 24, 2015

GTM: Community solar will grow 500% this year, add 1,800 MW by 2020

A new report predicts the sector will grow 500% in 2015 and at a 59% annual rate to the end of the decade.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 24, 2015

SolarCity seeks utility partners for grid modernization programs

The biggest U.S. solar installer says it can work with utilities to smooth demand and regulate voltage. 

By Herman K. Trabish • June 23, 2015

TEP drops net metering reform push, will wait for rate case

The new rate request will also include cost recovery for a natural gas plant, solar plants, and grid infrastructure.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 23, 2015

How wind & solar could benefit from low oil prices

Institutional investors are starting to see that volatile oil prices are here to stay and renewables are the smarter way, a new Nexant paper reports.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 22, 2015

America's Power Plan: The top 5 trends in the US energy transformation

Sonia Aggarwal, director of strategy at Energy Innovation, outlines the findings of her initiative's energy policy blueprint.

By Sonia Aggarwal • June 22, 2015

Why Tesla won't disrupt utilities

In this guest post, E Source fellow Jay Stein examines the impact of stationary storage technologies on the utility business model.

By Jay Stein • June 22, 2015

Inside Duke Energy's renewables strategy

The nation's largest utility is looking to renewables — both utility-scale and distributed — as potential sources of growth for decades to come.

By Gavin Bade • June 22, 2015

Presidential candidate O'Malley calls for 100% clean energy by 2050

The former Maryland governor tied the proposal to calls by Pope Francis to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

By Robert Walton • June 22, 2015

Iowa utilities refuse to net meter TPO solar arrays, testing state supreme court ruling

Solar installers say the refusal to provide net metering renumeration is hampering growth statewide.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 22, 2015

Colorado co-op contracts for 76 MW of wind, fights for coal supply

The mine that supplies a big coal plant for Tri-State G&T is under threat, so the utility is looking for backup power sources.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 22, 2015

OK wind developers face short term boom, long term uncertainty with tax credit expirations

Recently passed laws mean incentives end in a year and wind builders are rushing to qualify.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 19, 2015

North Carolina solar activists file TPO financing test case with state regulators

NC WARN's decision to sell solar power directly to a church puts it face to face with Duke Energy, the dominant utility.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 19, 2015

HECO, developer shelve 100 MW ocean thermal energy project off Hawaii

Changes in the state's demand, resource mix and utility leadership played a role in putting the unprecedented project on the back burner. 

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2015

Texas, Colorado set model for increased renewables integration under Clean Power Plan

A new report argues the two states show recent reliability concerns from renewables are overblown.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 19, 2015

Inside the renewable energy battles shaping North Carolina's future

Duke calls for collaboration as activists and GOP lawmakers fight over clean energy incentives.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 18, 2015

GTM: 2015 will be 'transcendent year' for solar with 55 GW installed

The research unit predicts solar will account for roughly half of new global capacity through 2020. 

By Davide Savenije • June 18, 2015

Oklahoma regulators consider new demand charges for rooftop solar

Utilities will have to prove a cost shift to regulators if they want new charges.

By Gavin Bade • June 18, 2015

El Paso Electric proposes new community shared solar array

The utility expects 1,000 subscribers without solar suitable roofs to buy in.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 18, 2015

SolarCity moves into community shared solar with $200M Minnesota commitment

The leading U.S rooftop solar installer will now go after the other half of the market.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 18, 2015