Facing protests, SRP proposes changes to rate hikes for solar customers

SolarCity says it is ready to file an anti-trust lawsuit if the rates are approved.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 23, 2015

Solar advocates respond to critical tax study, ready for a "bare knuckle brawl" on ITC

A solar lobbyist has taken aim at a recent report on solar tax credits from a conservative think tank.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 23, 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

Controversial Indiana solar bill moves quickly through critical committee

HB 1320 would legalize solar leasing but add costs that critics say would hurt its value proposition. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 20, 2015

"The next shale": How solar is poised to transform America's energy markets

“The comparison is the magnitude of the impact solar can have on the market,” the lead author of a recent study said.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 19, 2015

SDG&E lands $5M grant to expand all-renewables microgrid

The system will be one of the biggest all-renewables-capable U.S. microgrids.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 18, 2015

Duke Energy looks to expand NC solar portfolio

Duke is seeking projects to come online by the end of this year but will consider proposals with a 2016 inservice date.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 18, 2015

TVA to sign major solar deal with NextEra for 80 MW

The deal will be TVA's first utility-scale solar purchase.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 13, 2015

Tong and Wellinghoff: Why fixed charges are a false fix to the utility industry's solar challenges

James Tong and Jon Wellinghoff explain why the recent push for fixed charges may help utilities in the short run, but will come at a huge cost to all.

By James Tong and Jon Wellinghoff • Feb. 13, 2015

Why Dept of Energy is going big on community shared solar

DOE says community shared solar could be a $12 billion industry by 2020.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 12, 2015

ARPA-E 2015: Storage, a 'plug-and-play' grid, and SolarCity's appeal to utilities

Here are the highlights from the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit 2015.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 12, 2015

Xcel warns large 'community' solar projects are skirting intent of law

Developers of so-called "community" solar gardens are stringing together small projects to create larger arrays and at a potential cost to ratepaters, Xcel warned.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 11, 2015

Battle brewing in South Carolina over utility's solar proposals

Rooftop solar advocates say the SCE&G's plan would erode solar’s value proposition.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 11, 2015

World's largest PV solar plant goes online in California

The 550 MW Desert Sunlight plant was built with a DOE loan guarantee.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2015

Hundreds protest Salt River Project's proposed $50 per month solar charge in Arizona

Solar advocates say it ruins solar’s value proposition and threatens home resale prices.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2015

Duke buys controlling interest in commercial developer REC Solar

Duke’s $225 million fund will finance and streamline REC Solar projects.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2015

Wood Mackenzie: Solar could be "the next shale"

With regulatory support to keep gas back-up in place, solar could revolutionize power markets, the consultancy says.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2015

Apple strikes largest ever commercial solar deal with First Solar

The technology company will receive 130 MW of solar energy under a 25 year PPA.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 10, 2015

Inside the deal: Why Duke Energy is buying one of the largest U.S. commercial solar developers

Duke and REC Solar target rooftops, parking lots, fields, and community solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 10, 2015

SolarCity to utility industry: Here's how you can solve solar revenue losses

CTO and Co-Founder Peter Rive says utilities can benefit greatly from distributed energy if they would change their thinking.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 10, 2015

Why one electric co-op is offering their solar customers free water heaters

The utility has shifted 20% of its potential peak load by taking control of customers' water heaters.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2015

Georgia House unanimously approves solar financing bill

HB 57, which would allow third party ownership of solar arrays, now moves on to the state senate.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 9, 2015

First Solar moves into community solar market

The module manufacturer and utility scale developer sees community solar as “infinitely scaleable.”

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 9, 2015

Dominion reports earnings, gets VA senate to approve its rate freeze

The company posted fourth quarter operating earnings of 84 cents per share.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 9, 2015

Principal Solar moves forward on big NC solar array

Duke holds the PPA for the 78 MW installation, to be built by Innovative Solar Systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 6, 2015

Dominion-backed solar, rate freeze bills move forward

The big utility often seems to get its way in the VA legislature, a local paper noted.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 5, 2015