Rooftop solar is now cheaper than the grid in 42 American cities

Homeowners in some of the largest U.S. cities can get a better return from rooftop solar than from a pension fund or the S&P 500, a new study found.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 14, 2015

IRENA: U.S. can 'affordably' get to 27% renewable generation

With current policies, the U.S. energy mix will only reach 10% renewables by 2030 according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 14, 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

Xcel solar project meets resistance in Minnesota

Locals fear the NextEra Energy’s 62 MW installation will hurt land values.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 13, 2015

Utility compromise paves way for Georgia solar incentive bill

Residents currently have to pay for rooftop solar panels upfront, but that could change if a bill allowing third party ownership passes.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 13, 2015

Moody's: Solar-plus-storage won't soon threaten utilities

According to Moody's, average power consumers will be unwilling to accept lifestyle changes necessary to leave their electric utility.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2015

Can California really get to 50% renewables in 15 years?

Utilities and energy exerts say California faces big choices as it readies its grid for Gov. Jerry Brown's energy goals.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 9, 2015

The new guide to the nation's best solar policies — and how to emulate them

It takes a suite of good policies to significantly boost solar, but every state is "different and special and changing."

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 8, 2015

Where the energy storage expansion will happen first and why

The commercial-industrial space is the low hanging fruit for the emerging storage industry.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 7, 2015

Arizona's utility-owned solar programs: The new business models utilities are looking for?

APS will pay a monthly fee to solar hosts solar and TEP will reward them through rates.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 7, 2015

GOP-led ballot measure seeks to grow rooftop solar market in Florida

If successful, the ballot measure would allow solar operators to sell power directly to other consumers.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 7, 2015

Arizona regulator admonishes rooftop solar industry

Commissioner Bob Stump, who stepped down as chair of the Arizona Corporation Commission, warned the rooftop solar industry to turn down its rhetoric.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 2015

California Gov. Brown sets 50% renewable energy goal by 2030

In his inaugural address, Gov. Jerry Brown called for California to get half its power from renewables in 15 years.  

By Robert Walton • Jan. 6, 2015

Xcel proposes doubling renewable energy in Minnesota

The utility has a plan to slash carbon emissions by 40% by 2030.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 5, 2015

California public utility chooses storage over new gas plant

Imperial Irrigation District plans to install a $68 million storage system to help integrate solar power into the grid.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 4, 2015

North Carolina regulators reject proposals to change utility-scale solar regulations

NCUC upholds standard contract term, project size, and avoided cost calculation for utility scale solar projects.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 2, 2015

Global utility-scale PV sets new build record for 5th year running

Cumulative utility-scale PV capacity grew over 10,000 megawatts in 2014 to over 30.3 gigawatts

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 1, 2015

Vivint Solar plans 20 new offices in big national market epansion

Building on solar’s boom and its billion dollar IPO, Vivint Solar eyes 20 new markets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 30, 2014

IEA: U.S. doesn't really have an energy policy

The International Energy Agency says clarity is needed, especially around nuclear and carbon capture technologies.

By Gavin Bade • Dec. 23, 2014

Pepco enrolls half of eligible Comverge demand response customers

Launched in 2009, Pepco's Energy Wise Rewards has more than 360,000 participants enrolled in the program.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 23, 2014

Nebraska utility will get nearly half its energy from renewables by 2016

New 25-year contracts for wind and solar will save ratepayers $429 million.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 22, 2014

Kentucky regulators approve state's first utility-scale solar project

The array will give Louisville Gas and Electric (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities (KU) needed reserves.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 22, 2014

Ariz. regulators approve Tucson Electric Power bid to own rooftop solar

TEP's plan for customers with rooftop solar would fix monthly fees for up to 25 years.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 22, 2014

SolarCity brings in head Obama campaigner, preps major customer acquisition drive

Former Obama organizer Jon Carson, SolarCity’s new sales ambassador, believes connecting people will get more solar on the grid.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 21, 2014

Study: Minnesota could get over half its power from renewables by 2030

The potential is even bigger if newer estimates of the state’s solar potential are included

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 18, 2014

CA clean energy loan program grew 10 times bigger in 2014

Getting energy efficiency and distributed generation loans for homes and businesses has never been easier in the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Dec. 17, 2014