Distributed energy resources

Virtual power plants

California could save big if virtual power plants target ‘sweet spots’

The state’s utilities could use rooftop solar, batteries, and EVs to cut $13.7B in costs — by applying those to the right parts of stressed-out local grids.

By Jeff St. John . 11 September 2025

Shot of white and orange homes with solar panels on the roofs — Rooftop solar in San Diego (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)

Virtual power plants

California quietly guts ambitious virtual power plant bill

Bills boosting solar, batteries, EVs, and smart thermostats to rein in California’s utility costs moved ahead — but the most innovative approaches were cut.

By Jeff St. John . 5 September 2025
Distributed energy resources

A universal adapter for solar, batteries, EVs, and microgrids is here

DG Matrix and Resilient Power say their solid-state transformers can cut costs, time, and complexity for powering data centers, EV charging hubs, and more.

By Jeff St. John . 18 August 2025
Solar

Balcony solar is all the rage in Germany. Why not in the US?

A new Utah law promoting balcony solar reveals the challenges of making the clean-energy tech mesh with the U.S. grid.

By Akielly Hu . 1 May 2025
Virtual power plants

Haven to install free solar, batteries for thousands of California homes

The startup is tapping a new state funding pool to help low-income families access the benefits of clean energy and battery backup for their residences.

By Julian Spector . 21 April 2025
Batteries

Base Power lands $200M for rapidly growing home-battery business

The Texas startup wants to become the fastest battery installer in ERCOT by this summer. It will use the new funds to build a factory and expand into other states, too.

By Julian Spector . 9 April 2025
Electrification

Massachusetts home-electrification pilot could offer a national model

Installations are wrapping up this month for the turnkey program providing solar, heat pumps, and batteries to households that couldn’t otherwise afford them.

By Sarah Shemkus . 7 April 2025
Electrification

Span’s new smart electrical panel can plug right into utility meters

Adding EVs and heat pumps can be costly for households and utilities. This Bay Area startup says a smaller version of its smart electrical panel could help.

By Jeff St. John . 25 March 2025
Electric vehicles

How Massachusetts is trying to turn EVs into grid batteries

A first-of-its-kind “vehicle-to-everything” pilot is giving out 100 free chargers to test how EVs can earn money for sending backup power to the grid.

By Jeff St. John . 24 March 2025
Solar

California's rooftop solar debate is raging again

Advocates fear more cuts to the state's battered rooftop solar incentives as regulators consider “cost-shift” arguments in their bid to lower utility bills.

By Jeff St. John . 6 March 2025
Batteries

Base Power offers Texans big backup batteries, no purchase necessary

The Austin-based startup handles everything from battery design to installation and maintenance. Then it makes money bidding the batteries into ERCOT energy markets.

By Julian Spector . 27 February 2025