As demand for solar labor surges, training standards are a key focus: Fluke specialist

On-the-job training is necessary to meet the solar industry’s labor needs, making the quality of that training a priority, said Fluke Solar Application Specialist Will White.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 17, 2023

With first-of-its-kind PTC transfer, AEP sells 1.3 GW of unregulated renewables to Invenergy-led group

American Electric Power’s sale of its unregulated renewable energy assets is part of the utility company’s effort to focus on its regulated operations.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 17, 2023

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

Democrats call on EPA to implement credit program for electricity from biomass by 2024

A letter from a group of nine Democrats argues EPA has all the information and authority it needs to move ahead with the program. The proposal was excluded from a previous update to the Renewable Fuel Standard.

By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 17, 2023

Google-backed white paper offers framework for deliverability in clean energy procurement standards

Linking clean power purchases to sources in the region where the energy is used can bolster the grid and enable more accurate carbon accounting, according to Google.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 17, 2023

BOEM identifies two wind energy areas with up to 2.6 GW of potential offshore Oregon

The governor and state lawmakers have pushed back against the pace of Oregon offshore wind development, asking for more time to consult ocean stakeholders.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 16, 2023

IRA drives $12.4B into US storage as investments ‘juice’ an already strong market: Freyr exec

Since the Inflation Reduction Act passed, 210 major new clean energy projects have been announced, which have the potential to drive up to $86.3 billion in private investment, says E2. 

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 15, 2023

First Solar selects Louisiana as home of next solar panel factory

The $1.1 billion facility is expected to be the largest capital investment in the state's history.

By Kate Magill • Aug. 15, 2023

Maxeon Solar Technologies to build $1B New Mexico solar panel factory

The 160-acre site will be the Singapore-based company's first U.S. facility, spurred in part by the Inflation Reduction Act.

By Kate Magill • Aug. 11, 2023

EPA power plant carbon plan relies on unavailable tech, violates law: EEI, trade groups

The EPA based proposed emissions standards on hydrogen blending and carbon capture technology that isn’t widely available, violating the Clean Air Act, utility and power sector trade groups said.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 11, 2023

‘Setback’ ordinances could cut US wind potential by 87%, solar by 38%: NREL

Restrictive setback ordinances could cut the nation's renewable energy potential 42%, to 93 TW from 161 TW, according to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 10, 2023

A community solar boom will test Xcel, other utility plans against developer, customer needs: analysts

New state and federal funding and initiatives for community solar can bring equity and system reliability to the emerging energy transition, analysts say.

By Herman K. Trabish • Aug. 10, 2023

PJM, MISO, others warn of ‘significant power shortages’ from EPA’s power plant carbon rule

The agency’s proposed limits on power plant carbon emissions rely on “green” hydrogen and carbon capture, technologies that may not be widely available, four grid operators told the agency.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 10, 2023

California must act quickly or risk losing billions in federal community solar incentives

The clock is ticking because a federal program to support community solar requires that states receiving a portion of the $7 billion start providing subsidies within 18 months of it being awarded.

By Aaron Halimi • Aug. 8, 2023

Constellation Energy CEO ‘disappointed’ to see peers opposing EPA’s power plant carbon rule

Emerging ways to blend hydrogen with gas and capture carbon dioxide will allow power plants to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule, Joseph Dominguez, Constellation CEO, said Monday.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 8, 2023

US offshore wind faces headwinds, but outlook is strong: DBRS Morningstar VP

Project costs have increased due to a variety of economic factors, but so have clean energy support and incentives.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 7, 2023

FERC interconnection rule may not speed process in much of US: experts

Many transmission providers already use the just-issued rule’s central reform, dampening its effect in large parts of the U.S., lawyers and industry experts say.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 4, 2023

New US offshore wind lease areas in Central Atlantic are inadequate, groups say

BOEM announced three lease areas encompassing 356,550 acres, but an environmental group and an industry group say it won’t be enough to help states meet their clean energy goals.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 3, 2023

Despite headwinds, US offshore wind is poised for a breakout

U.S. offshore wind ambition should be far higher — billions in investment and hundreds of thousands of new jobs, along with a stable and clean grid, are at stake.

By Taylor McNair • Aug. 3, 2023

New York must triple its renewable capacity in 8 years to meet 2030 target: state comptroller

Interconnection and long permitting processes continue to challenge renewable energy developers, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a report.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 2, 2023

Young workers are flocking to renewable jobs, but the sector remains short on labor, reports show

“As hiring in big tech has slowed down, there are a lot of college students who are open to other industries,” said Handshake’s Senior Research Writer Kate Urban.

By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 1, 2023

DOE makes $450M available for residential solar, battery systems in Puerto Rico

This summer, Puerto Rico experienced rolling blackouts 570 times more frequently than the North American average, according to the Department of Energy.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 1, 2023

White House proposes environmental review reforms, in part to speed clean energy projects

“These reforms to federal environmental reviews will deliver better decisions, faster permitting, and more community input and local buy-in,” said Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory.

By Ethan Howland • July 31, 2023

Resource adequacy — time for a new approach

Anticipate more activity on resource adequacy in the coming months and years as the clean energy transition evolves.

July 31, 2023

First Solar plans $1.1B solar panel factory

The clean energy manufacturer is adding its fifth U.S. site as it looks to leverage Inflation Reduction Act tax credits. 

By Kate Magill • July 28, 2023

NextEra seeing signs of wider renewable energy recovery, company leaders say

Solar panel and battery prices have begun to decline, and renewables stand to gain a third class of customers as the U.S. establishes a hydrogen industry, NextEra Energy CEO John Ketchum said.

By Emma Penrod • July 27, 2023