Report: APS to propose higher rooftop solar fees

Arizona Public Service Co. wants to raise fees on rooftop solar from about $5 to $21 per month, reports say.

By Robert Walton • March 16, 2015

How wind can become America's biggest single energy source by mid-century

A U.S. Department of Energy study shows wind will soon be competitive with the cheapest generating resources, with or without subsidies.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 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

Maine PUC study values solar at 33 cents/KWh, more than double the price of utility power

Environmental groups hailed the study but said it still undervalues the resource.

By Robert Walton • March 13, 2015

DOE study: Wind to reach 35% of U.S. power supply by 2050

Wind to be cost-competitive without subsidies by 2030 and cut power prices 2% by 2050

By Herman K. Trabish • March 12, 2015

Colorado bill calls for 'alternative utility revenue models'

HB 1250 would reform utilities to better serve distributed generation, customer choice.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 12, 2015

Why SRP's controversial demand charge unlocks a huge opportunity for solar-plus-storage

The utility wants customers to help with peak demand but they may buy batteries instead of more SRP electricity.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 12, 2015

Opinion: How solar advocates are overvaluing DG solar

Ashley Brown, executive director of the Harvard Electricity Policy Group, argues that rooftop solar is valuable, but should not be paid at full retail value. 

By Ashley Brown • March 12, 2015

Vermont House passes 75% by 2032 renewable energy mandate

A special provision of the bill targets fossil fuel reductions.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 11, 2015

ISO New England warns of threat to grid reliability over gas supply shortage

“Thousands of megawatts of generation” are at risk if there is a major gas pipeline outage, according to ISO NE. 

By Herman K. Trabish • March 11, 2015

Solar made up 32% of all new U.S. generating capacity in 2014

The $17.8 billion market broke records for new utility-scale and residential builds.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 10, 2015

SolarCity pushes into Texas market

The nation's leading residential solar installer wants to awaken "a sleeping giant" — the Texas solar market. 

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2015

Washington Senate votes to broaden definition of 'renewable' in RPS

The proposal would allow any investment that reduces carbon to comply with utility renewable requirements.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2015

Black & Veatch: Why fixed charges are a solution to the solar conundrum

B&V's Dr. Overcast explains why utility fixed charges are an efficient price signal to consumers. 

By Dr. H. Edwin Overcast • March 10, 2015

Facing lower gas prices, Duke Energy wants to cut solar rates in North Carolina

The utility said cheaper natural gas was behind the request for lower rates.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2015

Washington Post: Utility industry is 'waging a campaign' against rooftop solar

Back in 2012, the industry identified rooftop solar as a long-term threat to its business model, according to documents.

By Robert Walton • March 10, 2015

Xcel asks regulators to change community solar rules in Minnesota

The utility got over 400 applications for solar garden arrays in less than 3 months.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2015

Americans could pay more for clean energy. But will they really?

Customers are willing to pay up, but that willingness "rarely translates into practice," said the study's author.

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2015

What SunEdison's big buy into battery storage could offer utilities

Solar and wind power plants with storage means a new value proposition for utilities and independent power producers.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 9, 2015

EIA: Utility-scale solar production doubled last year

And those numbers don't even include behind-the-meter solar projects. 

By Robert Walton • March 9, 2015

SunEdison acquires leading battery storage provider Solar Grid Storage

The Solar Grid Storage CEO says he wants PPA-like certainty for financial returns on solar systems.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 6, 2015

National solar installer group attacks AEP over 'shady tactics'

AEP says its rate structure is fair and that the group doesn't represent the opinions of its customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 6, 2015

Drawing controversy, solar net metering study finds $2M cost shift in Louisiana

Solar advocates call utility-funded study “biased.”

By Herman K. Trabish • March 6, 2015

Environmental, consumer groups propose Illinois community solar pilot

Projects would be limited to 2 MW under a three-year pilot aimed at ComEd customers.

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2015

Michigan Democrats propose doubling state's renewable standard

Boosting the state's renewable standard could generate as much as $6 billion in economic activity, supporters say.

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2015

SolarCity moves into New Mexico, its 16th state

The biggest U.S. installer will market to PNM customers.

By Herman K. Trabish • March 5, 2015