Controversial bill to open North Carolina solar markets gains traction

A proposal to allow third party financing and other changes to the state's solar laws is gaining traction in the North Carolina General Assembly.

By Robert Walton • April 16, 2015

California winter heat, drought drive significant wind, hydro shortfalls

Major utilities differ widely on how much the cost and supply of wind has changed.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 16, 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

Report: Hawaii can get to 100% renewables, 70% in short term

Hawaii can generate all of its electric power and transportation fuel from renewable sources, according to a new report.

By Robert Walton • April 16, 2015

Maryland lawmakers send community solar bills to governor

If signed into law, Maryland would become the 11th state offering residents access to community solar projects.

By Robert Walton • April 15, 2015

New polls: Americans love solar more than any other type of energy

Support for a future based on renewable energy generation and enhanced efficiency cuts across generations and demographic divides.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2015

Mississippi will create net metering policy, requests public comment

A study last year found distributed solar generation could help avoid the need for additional infrastructure and could help take the pressure off of Mississippi's peaking resources.

By Robert Walton • April 14, 2015

Warren Buffett's PacifiCorp considers joining California ISO

If the utility integrates in the California system, it could mean expanded access to renewables and a financial hit for traditional generation. 

By Gavin Bade • April 14, 2015

Colorado's biggest coal users turn toward low-priced renewables

Tri-State G&T and Platte River Power discover the emerging affordability of wind and solar.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 14, 2015

Utilities, solar advocates at odds over Missouri net metering bill

The bill would order a solar cost-benefit analysis and, if needed, a “sub base rate.”

By Herman K. Trabish • April 14, 2015

SolarCity partners with Google's Nest to integrate smart thermostats with rooftop solar

A pilot project of 10,000 Learning Thermostats will show how homes with 'brains' can use solar most efficiently.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 13, 2015

Dueling Minnesota energy proposals divide legislature

Solar advocates say a plan to allow utilities to determine which renewable sources are most affordable would effectively kill Minnesota's solar industry.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2015

NRDC: Low-income Americans will benefit most from Clean Power Plan

The Natural Resources Defense Council believes new carbon regulations will lead to healthier communities, financial savings, and give a boost to the nation's economy.

By Robert Walton • April 13, 2015

HECO partners with the Navy for 50MW solar array at Pearl Harbor

The installation could be Hawaii’s first community solar project. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 10, 2015

SunEdison signs 3 PPAs with Pacificorp for 262 MW of Utah solar

The Buffett-owned utility’s contract price for solar meets or beats any other resource’s cost.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 10, 2015

$1B, 750 MW hybrid natural gas-solar facility to be built in New Mexico

The Clean Path Energy Center will have 70 MW of PV solar and 680 MW of natural gas

By Herman K. Trabish • April 9, 2015

How utilities can use solar to build new business models

A new RMI study offers three building blocks to make solar a grid asset.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 9, 2015

Montana will delay action on net metering until a study of its impacts is complete

NorthWestern Energy, concerned about a cost shift, supports the study.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 9, 2015

How Wellinghoff, Rabago, and other grid reformers would design their own electricity markets

SEPA asks stakeholders to design the "51st State." Here's a rundown of the contributions from industry analysts and academics.

By Gavin Bade • April 9, 2015

NextEra adds $640M, 400MW to its Colorado wind investments

The largest U.S. wind developer is doubling down in its investments in the Centennial State. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 8, 2015

Developer scraps Maryland wind project due to local political opposition

The wind installation might have interfered with Naval Air Station Patuxent River’s radar 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 8, 2015

Florida utility battles pit solar advocates against natural gas expansion

A left-right political coalition has formed to pressure the state's utilities to invest in more solar, rather than natural gas.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 8, 2015

PPL, Peco join list of utilities seeking big fixed fee hikes

The utilities say falling revenues and aging infrastructure must be addressed.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 7, 2015

Why utilities could soon face massive load defection, and how they can prevent it

A new study from the Rocky Mountain Institute shows that in coming decades millions of customers will be able to get off the grid completely, and that spells trouble for utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 7, 2015

Duke proposes 80 MW solar facility for North Carolina

The facility would be North Carolina's largest solar plant.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2015

Mississippi regulators expected to take up net metering this week

A study last year found the state's ratepayers would benefit from a net metering policy.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2015