Austin Energy gets record low solar bids at under 4 cents/kWh

Solar bids are getting cheaper so quickly that the utility is asking its oversight arm to slow down approvals so it can get the best deal possible.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 2, 2015

What happened when NRG Energy disrupted its own business model

The country’s biggest independent power producer is going retail with rooftop solar, EV chargers, and connected consumer products.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 1, 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

Georgia Power unveils rooftop solar installation offering

The utility will not yet offer leasing or loan financing and the solar arrays "will not be rate based assets," an executive told Utility Dive.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 1, 2015

Maine lawmakers override Gov. LePage's veto of value of solar bill

Huge bipartisan majorities send “Ratepayer Focused Strategy” for solar to state regulators, while LePage looks increasingly weak.

By Herman K. Trabish • July 1, 2015

EIA: Hawaii, Vermont lead nation in aggressive renewable standards

Hawaii is targeting 100% renewable energy by 2045, while Vermont hopes tom reach 75% by 2032.

By Robert Walton • June 30, 2015

Large utilities yawn as Iowa Gov. Branstad signs solar incentive bill

The governor signed a bill last week to expand solar incentives, applies only to systems with a capacity no greater than 1.5 MW, leaving some to question if investor-owned utilities will utilize the incentive.

By Robert Walton • June 30, 2015

GTM: Solar generation could be 50% higher than federal data shows

The rapid growth of rooftop solar has made accounting for the total resource base difficult.

By Robert Walton • June 30, 2015

Despite declaring energy sales illegal, Duke will connect solar array owned by third party

Energy advocates and the regulated utility are on a collision course over rules restricting the sale of energy by third parties.

By Robert Walton • June 30, 2015

DOE-backed floating wind project may lose funding as utilities reject power prices

Utilities they can buy onshore wind at a quarter of the price of WindFloat’s ocean wind electricity.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 30, 2015

How America's largest power company plans to become a leading renewables developer

As Duke Energy's renewables business grows, it presents unique challenges in balancing the interests of its utilities with those of its unregulated subsidiaries. 

By Gavin Bade • June 30, 2015

New York Gov. Cuomo releases REV roadmap, seeks deep GHG cuts

A new state energy plan would mandate 50% renewables and cut building energy use 23% by 2030.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 29, 2015

Grid Edge Live 2015: The trends behind the explosion in distributed resources

Billions will go to DERs in the next three years, driven by changing policies and new utility opportunities.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 29, 2015

Minn. PUC approves Xcel-solar industry deal on community shared solar

State regulators limit co-located projects to 5 MW while Xcel promises to speed approvals.

By Herman K. Trabish • June 29, 2015

Google to build data center on site of retired coal plant, power it with renewables

The Widows Creek coal power plant is shutting down this fall, and Google is going to build its newest data center on the site.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

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