'It's really heartbreaking': California's clean energy programs hit hard by COVID-19

Behind-the-meter solar and storage, energy efficiency and low-income customer programs are seeing negative effects, stakeholders told the California Public Utilities Commission. 

By Kavya Balaraman • April 24, 2020

New York hits the brakes on 2.5 GW solicitation of offshore wind due to COVID-19

State regulators yesterday approved the largest offshore wind solicitation in the U.S., but the agency that will carry it out is postponing work due to pandemic conditions.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 24, 2020

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

Community-scale renewables poised for boost as California nears PURPA compliance again

California has successfully promoted large-scale renewables and customer-owned systems. New inverter and plant control technologies are now making community-scale renewables a more attractive option.

By Ed Smeloff • April 24, 2020

Skipjack offshore wind announces 1 year delay due to federal permitting holdups

The project developed by Ørsted​ was initially intended for commercial operation in November 2022.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 23, 2020

84 GW US renewables+storage pipeline has developers anxious for market integration rules

Utilities and developers are adding renewables plus storage hybrids so fast and cost-effectively that regulators had to schedule a conference on paired technologies. 

By Herman K. Trabish • April 23, 2020

Secretive group's petition to FERC could 'end net metering as we know it,' lawyers say

The filing makes the case that any behind-the-meter, or customer-sited, energy generation is a wholesale sale, subject to FERC jurisdiction.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 21, 2020

For hard-hit renewable sector, conversations in Congress show an encouraging trend

Plans like Sen. John Barrasso's infrastructure recovery bill can help businesses turn the lights back on and get the country back to work on its energy future, according to the Conservative Energy Network.

By Mark Pischea • April 20, 2020

Trump administration to reinstate tariff on 2-sided solar modules adding to installer woes

While several solar manufacturers have lobbied in favor of applying the tariffs to bifacial modules, the Solar Energy Industries Association is considering opportunities for a legal challenge of the decision.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 20, 2020

Report: Natural gas is a loser for long-term utility shareholder value

A new report makes the case that investors need to see new natural gas infrastructure as stranded assets.

By Matthew Bandyk • April 20, 2020

Diminishing returns: Why an upcoming Utah rate case may signal the end of net metering

A move to end the compensation approach for rooftop solar owners has sent sales plummeting. Many other states are also looking at successor tariffs.

By Emma Penrod • April 20, 2020

The effects of coronavirus measures on electricity markets

Economic outcomes and investment decisions in the next 18 to 24 months could reshape electricity markets for decades, the authors write.

By Alex Gilbert and Morgan Bazilian • April 20, 2020

Clean energy unemployment reaches 17.8%

A new analysis of unemployment data shows more than 447,000 clean energy workers filed unemployment claims in April.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated May 14, 2020

COVID-19 hits clean energy jobs, but storage companies could be 'bucking the trend'

In a recent survey conducted by the Energy Storage Association, three-fourths of respondents said they did not expect to reduce employment.

By Kavya Balaraman • April 16, 2020

Resiliency: An earning opportunity for the greater good of customers and utilities

Regulators want utilities to be forward-thinking and creative in today’s increasingly dynamic market, all while offering shareholders a return on investment. Resiliency may offer the opportunity they need.

By Jeremey Klingel • April 16, 2020

Increasing renewables and DER demand new reliability approach, but California is falling short, groups say

Resource adequacy's planning reserve margin worked when supply and load were stable, but new system realities demand a more dynamic approach to protect reliability, emerging power providers and DER advocacy groups say.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 15, 2020

Kansas ruling against Evergy's rooftop solar demand charges could have wider impacts, advocates say

The decision could counter the assertions of other utilities that owners of large arrays become "free riders" whose monthly bills do not pay for the cost of the distribution lines, according to renewables advocates.

By John Funk • April 13, 2020

Heightened focus on decarbonization likely post COVID-19 crisis

"As we move forward to remobilize our economy, we expect to see calls for direct investment in energy infrastructure," including energy storage, distributed energy resources, EV infrastructure and renewables, the authors write.

By Geoff Burmeister, David Cherney, Matt Mooren and Zach Pollock • April 8, 2020

Ann Arbor, MI City Council rejects $1B climate plan

Some council members found the plan to include concerning costs, while others argued the plan was put together in haste.

By Chris Teale • Updated April 22, 2020

New York becomes first state to establish renewables siting office in an effort to speed up deployment

Other states struggling to add clean energy resources will be watching how the new siting process unfolds.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2020

A playbook to jumpstart clean energy across all 50 states

As we face a likely recession and an economic reset in many places across the country, the clean energy industry has the potential to be a bright spot in what will continue to be challenging times, the author writes.

By Mike Kruger • April 6, 2020

Pelosi steps back on infrastructure push as renewables industry vies for aid

Clean energy advocates say there are still avenues for power sector relief from the federal government, including critical project deadline extensions.

By Catherine Morehouse • April 6, 2020

BlackRock, Morgan Stanley to utilities: Tackle climate-related risks or lose market value

Analyst research shows utilities that address climate-related physical and transition risks earn higher valuations from investors.

By Herman K. Trabish • April 6, 2020

The CARES Act won't support cleantech, but cities still can

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator CEO Matt Petersen is urging cities to align priorities around COVID-19 mitigation and climate action while the federal government focuses on other funding.

By Kristin Musulin • April 3, 2020

DTE to add about 350 MW renewables by 2022, looks to improve competitive bidding process

The company filed an updated renewable energy plan Tuesday and plans to ask regulators later this year to approve contracts for a wind project and two solar projects it has selected through a recent RFP process.

By John Funk • April 2, 2020

Public utility regulation should be politicized to tap cheaper, cleaner energy options

Political influences, exerted by various interests over decades, have shaped and influenced regulation from its first days — and have overwhelmingly favored fossil fuels, the author writes.

By Ron Lehr • April 2, 2020