Utilities’ latest tactic? Fixed charge increases – and PUCs are listening
An EQ Research study indicates regulators are approving utilities’ requests for increased fixed charges and diminishing distributed solar’s value proposition in the process.
sonnenCommunity comes to the United States
A 2,900 home planned development in Arizona will feature electricity trading between a network of PV and battery systems, as a grid-tied microgrid that will also absorb excess power at strategic times for the local grid.
California gets “quacking” on ending Duck Curve problem
Senate Bill 338, which mandates that utilities come up with non-gas generation options to meet peak demand, was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.
Energy Department limits scope of coal, nuclear bailout
Under fire from a broad range of forces including the oil and gas industry, the Energy Department has limited its order for a coal and nuclear bailout to regional grid operators with energy and capacity markets.
First Solar weighs in on the Section 201 trade case
The world’s largest thin-film solar maker has sided with the petitioners, testifying to the difficulties that U.S. solar cell and module makers are experiencing and the challenges of competing with imports supported by foreign governments.
Oncor settlement ends byzantine solar rate request
Under the terms of a settlement approved unanimously by the Texas Public Utilities Commission, the Dallas-based utility withdrew its convoluted rate structure for distributed energy customers in return for a 3.4% increase in the base rates of all customers.
Missed opportunity: GTM Research weighs in on the Clean Power Plan
GTM Research Solar Analyst Colin Smith argues that the pending repeal of the Clean Power Plan represents a significant loss of “upside potential”.
A resilient market: An interview with Sungrow USA CEO Steven Chan
In this interview with pv magazine from the SPI 2017 trade show, Sungrow USA CEO Steven Chan talks about his company’s explosive growth in the United States, and why he sees this market as resilient.
Edisun puts online the world’s largest rooftop tracking system
The 1 MW project is being followed by a 20 MW pipeline of C&I rooftop projects, all of which will utilize dual-axis tracking.
Montana brings PURPA contract lengths back to 15 years for small projects
State regulators have increased contract lengths for projects up to 3 MW, but most of the changes made when they gutted PURPA last summer remain.
