Energy storage could save money for up to 5 million U.S. businesses (w/charts)
A new study by NREL finds widespread availability of rates with high demand charges for commercial customers, meaning that businesses across the country could save money with energy storage.
RMP, Utah solar advocates reach net metering agreement
Existing net metering customers are grandfathered into the current net metering arrangement for 18 years, while ending net metering for customers installing solar after Nov. 15. After that, a three-year transition to a program based on a value of solar methodology will commence.
Demand charge decision looms in Massachusetts
In three days, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will close the public comment period on utility Eversource’s plan to impose a demand charge on solar customers.
Short circuits: How they happen and how to prevent them
This article is the fourth in a series which will discuss specific system reliability issues seen in North American systems. Each article will focus on a specific failure mode, giving an overview and examples of defect presentation. A longer summary article diving into a broader industry context and defect prevalence will follow this series.
Battle between ideologies could determine trade case’s fate
According to reports, President Donald J. Trump’s economic nationalism is at war with his advisors’ market fundamentalism. Here’s what the outcome of that conflict could mean for the solar trade case.
Renewables generate (almost) as much power as nuclear during H1 2017
The DOE’s latest numbers show renewables rising to 20.05% of electricity generation during the first half of the year, just behind nuclear’s 20.07%. Solar provided 2% of electricity, and wind 7%.
Community solar, PACE policies moving forward in Illinois
ComEd’s community solar tariff faces intervenors in regulatory approval. Meanwhile, Illinois has signed into law legislation enabling Property Assessed Clean Energy.
NREL, Swiss researchers break 35% cell efficiency
A collaborative project between the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratories and researchers from two Swiss centers has tested a range of multi junction cells in tandem configuration, and achieved efficiencies of up to 35.9%.
Duke Energy to U.S. ITC: Trade case could “destabilize” the U.S. industry
Saying that higher prices for panels would discourage utilities like itself from investing in solar, the North Carolina utility requests the commission reject the petition that “would ultimately harm the very domestic solar manufacturing industry the petitioner is attempting to protect.”
Sharp shift stiffs solar as CPUC approves later TOU peak time
Over the passionate objections of national and state-level solar advocates, California’s utility regulators approved a peak-usage time shift from 3 pm to 4 pm for San Diego Gas & Electric rates, leaving solar customers compensated for less energy because its production would be off-peak.
