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

• 3/20- SolSystems and Onyx Renewables will construct a 2.5-MW solar project in Champaign County.

📰 Market & Development News

📢 Policy & Programs

• HB 3499/SB 2310- NET ELECTRICITY METERING

  • Promotes community generation, cost standardization for interconnection, and net metering.

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

  • UPDATE- committee hearing postponed on 3/20.

• SB2387- AGRICULTURAL LAND CONSERVATION ACT

  • Would pay lessees for any agricultural land removed from production to develop a solar farm, between $700-900 per acre.

  • Introduced in Senate 2/7, referred to Assignments Committee. Amended 3/5.

  • UPDATE- Added Republican co-sponsor 3/19, making this a bipartisan-backed bill.

• HB3499- RECA AMENDMENT

  • Hire state staff to “promote distributed renewable energy generation devices and community renewable generation projects in the State”, removes barriers to renewable development.

  • Introduced in House 2/7, referred to Rules Committee.

  • UPDATE- Committee voted to pass on 3/18. Moved to second reading.

East Coast: MD, NY, PA, VA

📰 Market & Development News

New York

• 3/18- SolarBank will develop a 4.3-MW community solar project in upstate New York.

• 3/17- New York has allocated $5 million for energy and efficiency innovations in existing buildings.

Virginia

• 3/19- The Warsaw Town Council voted 4-3 to lease 200 acres to Dominion Energy to develop a solar facility.

• 3/18- King George County held a public hearing to receive input on Open Road Renewables’ Harwood Battery Storage Facility.

📢 Policy & Programs

Maryland

• HB0004/SB0120- Restrictions on Use - Solar Collector Systems - Alteration

  • Prohibits any land use restrictions which increase the cost of installing a solar system by at least 5%, or that reduce the efficiency of the system by 10%, over certain thresholds. Also gives community organizations more power to install, or prohibit installation of, solar systems in “common areas or common elements”.

  • Passed House 100-36 on 2/13, referred to Judicial Committee.

  • UPDATE- Senate hearing TBH 3/25 at 1:00pm.

• HB1111- Floating Solar

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

  • Introduced in House 3/05. Passed House with amendments on 3/17.

  • UPDATE- Introduced in Senate 3-17, moved to Energy Committee. Hearing TBH 4/3 at 1:00pm.

New York

• S2712

  • Directs the PSC to conduct a full cost benefit analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems in NY compared to other generation methods.

  • If findings state that greenhouse gas emission limits “impede the provision of safe and adequate electric service” or increase utility rates by >5%, allows the PSC to suspend or modify GHG emissions limits.

  • Introduced in Senate 1/22, referred to Environmental Committee.

  • UPDATE- Notice of Committee Consideration requested (requesting a committee vote) on 3/18.

• A6955

  • Directs NYDPS to promulgate rules, regulations and model policies regarding setback requirements for the siting of BESS and for surety requirements; requires minimum setback requirements for commercial BESS at or over 5MW, of no less than 250ft from residential property; requires public hearings prior to the approval of an application for a permit for BESS.

  • Introduced in Assembly 3/18, referred to Energy Committee.

• SB1385

  • Increases residential solar energy tax credits; gives municipalities more control in siting of utility-scale renewable energy facilities.

  • Introduced in Senate 1/9

  • UPDATE- Notice of Committee Consideration requested (requesting a committee vote) on 3/18.

Pennsylvania

• HB362- Solar for All

  • Would use federal funds for a Pennsylvania Solar for All rooftop-focused program.

  • Introduced 1/29, referred to House Energy Committee.

  • UPDATE- Removed from table 3/18. Reintroduced to committee with amendments.

  • UPDATE- Passed first House vote 169-33 on 3/19.

• HR53- Lake Erie Generation

  • A Resolution directing a state study on the feasibility and potential benefits of the offshore hydropower, solar and wind generation systems on Lake Erie.

  • Introduced in House 2/4, referred to Environmental and Natural Resources Committee.

  • UPDATE- Committee recommended passage on 3/18.

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