How utilities can get in on the solar job bonanza

Solar energy offers immense growth opportunities, and utilities could play "a great role" if they get their acts together.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 28, 2015

What utility execs think the future holds

Utility Dive's survey of over 400 U.S. electric utility executives reveals old challenges and new opportunities for the industry.

By Davide Savenije • Jan. 27, 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

Florida Power & Light announces plan to triple solar capacity

But the utility emphasizes that solar generation is not generally economical in its service territory.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 27, 2015

Hawaiian Electric's plan to end solar net metering, explained

HECO says it needs a new valuation structure to fairly compensate rooftop solar as penetration increases across the state.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 26, 2015

Inside the coming showdown over rooftop solar in Indiana

GOP backers say HB 1320 would boost solar, but renewables advocates say it would misdirect lawmakers, regulators and consumers.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 23, 2015

Florida legislators bring bills to boost solar, limit utilities' billing power

Bipartisan clean energy activism in the Sunshine State gives legislators cover to take on utilities.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 22, 2015

APS drafted anti-solar leasing letter signed by Ariz. legislators

Ariz. representatives are suspicious of solar installers' lease provisions and market practices. 

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 22, 2015

Wellinghoff and Tong: A common confusion over net metering is undermining utilities and the grid

'Cost-shifting' and 'not paying your fair share' are not the same thing, Jon Wellinghoff and James Tong write in a guest post.

By Jon Wellinghoff and James Tong • Jan. 22, 2015

Why utilities across the nation are embracing community solar

Power companies are quickly discovering how their customers can go solar without getting off the grid.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 22, 2015

How the Just Energy-CPF partnership is changing the rooftop solar game

The partnership combines marketing, financing, and installing expertise for customers in deregulated markets.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 22, 2015

Bipartisan coalition pushes to expand net metering in Montana

Solar advocates want energy independence, but opponents call solar a “melanoma” and say it has created too many problems elsewhere.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 21, 2015

Obama highlights climate change, renewables, nat gas in State of the Union

A confident President Obama reiterated his commitment to EPA regulations aimed at fighting global warming.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 21, 2015

Google opens 2015 with 2 big renewable energy investments

Google has invested more than $1.5 billion in solar and wind power across 19 transactions.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 21, 2015

New proposed net metering reforms could boost Missouri's solar industry

An expanded eligible system size and shift from monthly to annual true-up would increase solar’s value.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 20, 2015

Solar advocates set to challenge Wisc. regulators on net metering math

The switch granted to We Energies for monthly true-ups diminish solar's value proposition in the state, advocates say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 20, 2015

CPUC plan for community solar stirs controversy with renewables advocates

Solar advocates take exception with fees for community solar the CPUC would let utilities impose on users.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 15, 2015

Desert Sunlight 550 MW solar PV project goes online

The installment ties the Topaz project as the biggest PV array in the world.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 15, 2015

NRG plans big expansion into rooftop solar markets

The company says it wants to be the second biggest installer, behind SolarCity.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2015

Idaho could soon have the most solar per-capita of any state

Officials at the state's largest utility say hundreds of megawatts of potential solar power projects are seeking power purchase agreements.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2015

Pew: Ohio freeze on renewables, efficiency mandates is driving away business

Lawmakers' decision to freeze renewable standards in Ohio has injected uncertainty into the state's clean energy industry.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2015

Study: Rooftop solar adds $15,000 premium to home values

A typical rooftop solar system can add add a $15,000 premium to the value of a home.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 15, 2015

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

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