SNL Energy editors' picks for the best stories for the week ended Feb. 16.

1. To offset tariffs, US solar market looks to financial innovations

Proponents of two new financial innovations in the renewable power industry are hoping they can soften the impact of tariffs imposed on solar equipment imported to the U.S.

2. Energy market does not need DOE 'central plan' to be resilient, economist says

The U.S. energy market does not need the prescriptions of a 2017 U.S. Department of Energy proposal that favored the onsite fuel storage of coal and nuclear power even if the grid takes on more natural-gas-fired power generation capacity, an economist said.

3. An 'effectively zero' tax rate: US coal sector reports big gains from tax reform

Tax reform is boosting the bottom lines of a U.S. coal sector focused on shareholder returns in the wake of bankruptcy reorganizations that scrubbed billions of dollars in debt from their balance sheets.

4. 'Huge amount of genuine uncertainty': Supply chain pain squeezes battery sector

As manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries charge up on surging global demand for electric vehicles and energy storage, a sharp combination of metals shortages, price spikes and geopolitics is releasing an equal dose of supply-chain growing pain.

5. Total, BP to clamp down on spending despite soaring profits, oil rally

Although 2017 profits for oil and gas majors surged due to rising oil prices, many of these companies still plan to keep their spending in check this year as shareholders reap the benefits.