Fwd: Jul. 02 - Cheapest solar ever for Austin Energy; What happened when NRG disrupted itself

July​ 2,​ 2015 View online | Sign up | Forward Top News Austin Energy gets record low solar bids at under 4 cents/kWh Solar bids are getting cheaper so quickly that the utility is asking its oversight arm to slow down approvals so it can get the best deal possible. What happened when NRG Energy disrupted its own business model The country's biggest independent power producer is going retail with rooftop solar, EV chargers, and connected consumer products. NEWS FROM SEPA SEPA staff go up on the roof: Solar transformation in East Baltimore SEPA staff recently helped GRID Alternatives install solar on two homes in a low-income area in Baltimore and heard compelling stories about solar's power to change lives. Read More How America's largest power company plans to become a leading renewables developer As Duke Energy's renewables business grows, it presents unique challenges in balancing the interests of its utilities with those of its unregulated subsidiaries.  Grid Edge Live 2015: The trends behind the explosion in distributed resources Billions will go to DERs in the next three years, driven by changing policies and new utility opportunities. Georgia Power unveils rooftop solar installation offering The utility will not yet offer leasing or loan financing and the solar arrays "will not be rate based assets," an executive told Utility Dive. Maine lawmakers override Gov. LePage's veto of value of solar bill Huge bipartisan majorities send "Ratepayer Focused Strategy" for solar to state regulators, while LePage looks increasingly weak. HECO files with regulators to cut solar net metering rates in half HECO also wants to up the minimum monthly bill to cover a cost shift it says costs $53 million per year. Despite declaring energy sales illegal, Duke will connect solar array owned by third party Energy advocates and the regulated utility are on a collision course over rules restricting the sale of energy by third parties. Minn. PUC approves Xcel-solar industry deal on community shared solar State regulators limit co-located projects to 5 MW while Xcel promises to speed approvals. Study: More than half of large US businesses generate power on site Businesses are increasingly focused on keeping down energy costs, and a growing number are generating some portion of their own electricity needs. Read more news SEPA ANNOUNCEMENTS New SEPA white papers SEPA has posted two white papers about its 51st State Initiative -- a summary of the papers it received and a recap of the recent 51st State Summit.  Read More What will solar-plus-storage do to wholesale power prices? A new report from SEPA and Black & Veatch looks at what could happen to wholesale electric prices in California as the state considers a target of 50 percent renewables by 2030.  Read More Building the buzz for SPI What will the hot sessions be at Solar Power International Sept. 14-17 in Anaheim? Check out the workshop schedule — it's packed! — and start planning now. Read More What We're Reading Corporate and environmental front groups emerge influential in Southeast solar battles EnergyWire Solar power still needs to get much cheaper. Are perovskites the answer? Vox Tesla gigafactory construction ahead of schedule Construction Dive Report: Georgia number 1 for clean energy jobs Atlanta Business Chronicle Half of Europe's electricity set to be from renewables by 2030 The Guardian Winds of change as Ethiopia harnesses green power AFP Audio: A top utility engineer talks DER integration Greentech Media Suggest a story we should read Newsletter Partnership This newsletter is powered by a partnership between Utility Dive and the Solar Electric Power Association. Sign up Advertising Info This email is optimized for display on mobile phones. Utility Dive: Solar is a product of Industry Dive, Inc. 829​ 7th St NW, 3rd Floor, Washington,​ DC 20001. We value your privacy. We won't share your email address with anyone else without your permission.