Distributed energy resources

Distributed energy resources

Minnesota tribe could soon get a solar-powered resilience hub

A pair of developers are working to build a microgrid at an elementary school and community center on the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota.

By Frank Jossi . 27 November 2024

Solar

Solar is helping schools save big. Your district could be next.

Nearly 9,000 K-12 schools nationwide have installed solar panels. Here’s how you can help your district tap into the cheap, clean energy source.

By Akielly Hu . 31 October 2024

Virtual power plants

Hundreds of New Yorkers got free batteries to help clean up the grid

A novel collaboration between solar installer Sunrun and utility Orange & Rockland shows how New York could tap household solar generation to advance climate goals.

By Julian Spector . 30 October 2024

Solar

How solar microgrids are bringing power (and quiet) to North Carolina

In areas hit by Hurricane Helene, the nonprofit Footprint Project is replacing noisy and polluting generators with solar panels and batteries.

By Elizabeth Ouzts . 28 October 2024

a long stretch of solar panels with skyscrapers in the backdrop.

Guest essay

We need distributed solar and energy storage, not utility monopolies

Xcel wants to build 800 MW of distributed energy in Minnesota, but makes it hard for its customers to own their own solar and batteries. That’s bad for ratepayers, and for the climate.

By John Farrell . 24 October 2024

Duke Energy’s solar-and-battery microgrid in Hot Springs, North Carolina

Distributed energy resources

Hurricane Helene underscores need for more solar-battery microgrids

Distributed solar and batteries are helping North Carolina communities that were cut off from grid power by flooding. Should utilities build them into resilience plans?

By Jeff St. John . 18 October 2024

Solar

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes school solar bill

SB 1374 would have let public schools follow the more lucrative rooftop solar rules for single-family homes. Without it, schools can’t afford solar, advocates say.

By Jeff St. John . 30 September 2024

Power poles knocked down by Hurricane Beryl in Harris County, Texas.

Distributed energy resources

Houston’s post-Beryl outages highlight benefits of distributed energy

More solar, batteries, and gas microgrids could have helped Houston during last week’s outages. But state leaders and utilities haven’t made them a priority.

By Jeff St. John . 18 July 2024

In an aerial view, solar panels are seen on the roofs of homes in a neighborhood on April 25, 2024 in San Rafael, California.

Virtual power plants

California budget cuts could decimate key virtual-power-plant programs

Governor Gavin Newsom plans to slash funding for batteries and utility customers to help with grid emergencies — but money for fossil fuel generators keeps flowing.

By Jeff St. John . 5 June 2024

Solar

El auge de la energía solar en Puerto Rico está en riesgo, advierten sus defensores

La energía solar ha sido un salvavidas para el territorio estadounidense durante apagones. Ahora una entidad gubernamental quiere deshacer la ley que protege un programa solar clave.

By Maria Gallucci . 20 May 2024

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Distributed energy resources

Minnesota tribe could soon get a solar-powered resilience hub

Solar is helping schools save big. Your district could be next.

Hundreds of New Yorkers got free batteries to help clean up the grid

How solar microgrids are bringing power (and quiet) to North Carolina

We need distributed solar and energy storage, not utility monopolies

Hurricane Helene underscores need for more solar-battery microgrids

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes school solar bill

Houston’s post-Beryl outages highlight benefits of distributed energy

California budget cuts could decimate key virtual-power-plant programs

El auge de la energía solar en Puerto Rico está en riesgo, advierten sus defensores