Note: This is a proof of concept for Spark Alerts, focusing on Illinois community solar, then on New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Please help us improve by sharing your feedback with us!

Illinois Community Solar

• 3/29- Tazewell County approved a SUP for Unsicker Solar to build a 12-MW solar farm on a 50 acre agricultural parcel. The county rejected the farm earlier this year but reconsidered on an appeal.

• 3/28- Lawmakers in DeWitt County said that while there are no active solar applications in the county, they are taking steps to “address gaps” in their existing solar ordinance.

📰 Market & Development News

📢 Policy & Programs

• No state policy updates.

East Coast: MD, NY, PA, VA

📰 Market & Development News

Maryland

• 3/28- A House Environmental Committee review found that the state of Maryland owns 8,000 acres of viable land for solar projects in Howard County, and is researching the feasibility of solar development.

• 3/27- The Talbot County Council unanimously voted to urge state lawmakers to reject HB1036, which would allow the state to regulate solar zoning.

• 3/27- Baltimore County is facing legal pushback over a local bill that appears to be targeted specifically to block a solar project on 22 acres.

• 3/27- The Maryland PSC held a public hearing regarding a 5-MW solar project in Queen Anne’s County.

New York

• 3/27- The Chemung County Planning Board tabled two proposed BESS ordinances from the towns of Elmira and Veteran, a week after Carson Power cancelled plans for a BESS system that stirred local safety concerns.

• 3/27- The Town of Big Flats will continue with amendments to make its solar ordinance “more flexible” for panel siting, though BESS remains prohibited in the Town.

Virginia

• 3/30- Only 17 acres remain available for solar in Henry County, as Ameresco Inc seeks approval for a solar farm.

• 3/28- Maconbray County approved an 80-MW project by 7 Bridges Solar despite public opposition.

• 3/28- Bedford County is considering reallocating funding for legal battles to keep utility-scale solar banned in the county despite state oversight.

• 3/28- Dominion Energy will build a 3-MW solar project on a closed landfill in Washington County.

• 3/27- Mecklenburg County residents voiced opposition to a 435-acre solar farm from 7 Bridges Solar at a public hearing.

• 3/27- Mecklenburg County held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to ban utility-scale solar projects countywide.

• 3/27- The Danville City Council approved plans for a new BESS facility developed by the City’s municipal utility.

📢 Policy & Programs

• No state policy updates.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Illinois

• IPA Summer 2025 Indexed Wind, Solar Brownfield & Hydropower RFP

  • The IPA will hold a webcast on the Summer 2025 Indexed RFP on 5/28. RSVP here.

  • On 3/24, the IPA posted the Final Targets for the 2025 REC RFP.

• IPA Block Energy and Capacity Procurement

  • Part 2 applications are due 4/1.

• Misc

  • Bidprime lists three paywalled opportunities for small-scale solar RFPs.

Maryland

• Maryland Solar For All has indicated that it will soon open its selection process for low-income solar contractors, and has opened an RFP for a grant management specialist.

Michigan

• DTE Energy Storage RFP

  • MI DTE announced an RFP for standalone energy storage projects to support its CleanVision IRP, with about 450MW total capacity. Bidders can register company information on the PowerAdvocate website. Bids are due 6/27.

• Agriculture and Rural Business Energy Incentive Program

  • The Michigan Department of Environment has issued an RFP for renewable energy projects for farms, agribusinesses, and rural businesses/nonprofits. The RFP will close on 4/25, with grants expected to go out by 8/31.

Missouri

• MDNR Grid Resilience Formula Funding (GRFF) Subgrants

  • Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources is offering $13 million in total funding to “improve the all-hazards resilience of the electric grid against disruptive events and prevent outages” for projects located in Missouri.

• Missouri Green Banc: Applications for Energy Improvement Project Funding

  • Missouri Green Banc has an open RFP to solicit proposals to finance energy improvement projects. Applicants may “propose transactions that facilitate the financing of clean energy projects in Missouri”. This is an ongoing solicitation open to proposers in connection with a range of clean energy projects and businesses.

Ohio

• SOPEC Solar Development Planning

  • The Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) is requesting competitive proposals from solar developers to bundle a variety of behind-the-meter solar arrays into a unified PPA, with an option to purchase the solar arrays after the PPA term. No submission date is listed. Submissions are due by email.

Pennsylvania

• PA Department of Commerce Solar Energy Program

  • The Solar Energy Program provides grants and loans to promote the generation and use of solar energy and the manufacture or assembly of solar equipment in Pennsylvania, up to $3 per watt. Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis.

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