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

• 3/17- Aspen Power has closed on the purchase of a 14.1MW community solar portfolio across Illinois.

• 3/17- Champaign County discussed proposed amendments to storage zoning, including SUP requirements and new fees.

• 3/17- The City of Sandwich approved a decommissioning bond for a community solar project by Turning Point Energy.

• 3/14- The McLean County Board delayed a vote on a proposed 5-MW facility by Yarrow Solar, after Zoning Board approval, to allow for further negotiations.

📰 Market & Development News

📢 Policy & Programs

• SB2387- AGRICULTURAL LAND CONSERVATION ACT

  • Would pay lessees for any agricultural land removed from production to develop a solar farm.

  • Introduced in Senate 2/7, referred to Appropriations Committee.

• HB3265- RES AUTOMATED SOLAR PLATFORM

  • Requires municipalities with populations over 5,000 and all counties to adopt a residential automated solar permitting platform by July 1, 2026.

  • Introduced in House 2/6. Assigned to Public Utilities Committee 3/11.

  • UPDATE- Committee hearing TBH 3/18 at 2:00pm.

East Coast: MD, NY, PA, VA

📰 Market & Development News

Maryland

• No competitor or market updates since last issue.

New York

• 3/15- SolarBank announced plans to develop a 7.2-MW solar project in the Town of Gainesville.

• 3/14- IPP GS Power Partners secured $22 million in financing to close on five community solar projects across NY.

Pennsylvania

• 3/16- Franklin Township in Beaver County is set to consider the adoption of a new Solar Energy Ordinance at a public hearing on 4/10, laying out permit requirements, exemptions, and guidelines for installation.

• 3/16- As part of project requirements, OneEnergy released a Vegetation Management Plan for Root River Solar, a 6-MW project in Caledonia.

• 3/16- West Nottingham Township will hold a public hearing on 3/25 for two solar farms colocated on a 126-acre parcel.

• 3/14- A 180-acre solar project, G Morris Solar, successfully appealed a denial by the Borough of Grantz in trial court.

• 3/14- Muddy Creek Township scheduled a public hearing on 3/19, regarding the proposed 4.2-MW Sourwood Solar project.

Virginia

• 3/17- Four utility-scale solar projects totaling 682 MW in Charlotte County may need to be delayed as officials investigate whether an existing transmission line can handle the new load.

📢 Policy & Programs

Maryland

• HB1111- Floating Solar

  • Allows for floating solar projects of 5MW or less to receive small solar incentive grants.

  • Introduced in House 3/05.

  • UPDATE- Passed House with amendments on 3/17.

Pennsylvania

• HB849- Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector Fund

  • Creates a grant fund for sustainability or renewable-focused orgs which hire a veteran with apprenticeship training.

  • Introduced in House 3/13, referred to Labor Committee.

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