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- Spark Alerts: March 25, 2025
Spark Alerts: March 25, 2025
The latest solar news, RFPs and program policy updates at your fingertips
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
3/24- Montgomery County held a public hearing on Apex Energy’s 5-MW project on agricultural land.
3/20- Microsoft signed a deal with AES for three solar projects in IL, MI, and MO.
3/20- After five years of the Illinois Solar For All program, a new report found the state has added over 33 GWh per year.
📰 Market & Development News
📢 Policy & Programs
Provides that, beginning January 1, 2026, a fee shall be paid by the buyer or lessee in a transaction for any agricultural land that will be removed from production for the specific purpose to develop solar.
Introduced in Senate 2/7.
UPDATE- Public Utilities Committee review deadline set for 4/21.
Reduces barriers to utility-scale solar projects, notably transmission.
Introduced in Senate 2/7.
UPDATE- Public Utilities Committee review deadline set for 4/4.
Amends the definition of “renewable energy” to include small modular nuclear.
Introduced in Senate 2/4.
UPDATE- Assigned to Public Utilities Committee 3/18, deadline set for 4/11.
Provides that leases of solar energy systems are exempt from the taxes imposed under the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act.
Introduced in Senate 2/4.
UPDATE- Assigned to Revenue Committee 3/18, deadline set for 4/11.
Would set 15-GW energy storage target and set up a state VPP program.
Introduced in Senate 2/7, House 2/18.
UPDATE- Senate Public Utilities Committee review deadline set for 4/4.
Among other changes, removes the requirement for the Illinois Power Agency to annually determine the amount of utility-scale renewable energy credits to be included in the self-direct RPS compliance program.
Introduced in House 2/6, Senate 1/29.
UPDATE- Senate Public Utilities Committee review deadline set for 4/4.
Provides that post-award renegotiation of competitive REC prices shall be allowed only in cases where it is necessary to ensure the successful development of the renewable energy project based on unforeseeable circumstances.
Introduced In Senate 2/6.
UPDATE- Senate Public Utilities Committee review deadline set for 4/4.
Would remove the requirement for the Illinois Power Agency to annually determine the amount of utility-scale RECs it will include each year from the self-direct RPS compliance program. Provides that the self-direct credit amount for each REC supplied shall be…equal to the volumetric charge collected under a provision in the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the approved self-direct credit amount shall be multiplied by each REC procured by participating customers for up to 100% of the customer's annual consumption.
Introduced in House 1/29, Senate 2/7.
UPDATE- Senate Public Utilities Committee review deadline set for 4/4.
Provides that, by November 1, 2025, and by November 1 every 3 years thereafter, all electric cooperatives in IL shall file an integrated resource plan.
Among other changes, mandates renewable power to be used to power 100% of new data centers in the state.
Introduced in House 2/18, Senate 3/4.
UPDATE- Senate Public Utilities Committee review deadline set for 4/4.
East Coast: MD, NY, PA, VA
📰 Market & Development News
New York
3/24- New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced $40 million in funding for solar-plus-storage projects in the state.
3/23- Scale Microgrids will acquire 100MW of New York-based community solar projects from CSG-Gutami.
3/21- East Point Energy cancelled plans to build a 116-MW battery plant in Westchester & Putnam counties, following community pushback and local government opposition.
3/20- SolarBank has secured $1.06 million in funding for its 3.26-MW Camilus Solar project in Onondaga County.
3/20- Ampion was selected as community solar administrator for Erie County’s low income program.
3/20- Carson Power modified a proposal for a 4.2-MW solar-plus-storage project after public pushback from the Town of Elmira.
Pennsylvania
3/23- Fayette County held a public hearing on a new solar ordinance. Developers raised flags regarding stringent setbacks.
3/21- Cumberland County commissioners rescinded their decision to move forward on a solar energy project proposed for county-owned land.
Virginia
3/23- A Bedford County official is calling for other localities to oppose commercial solar initiatives, and is discussing creating a pooled fund for legal fees in solar zoning conflicts.
3/21- Prince Edward County, which has no existing solar ordinance, approved a community solar project and denied another. A revised ordinance is expected to address solar.
3/20- King William County approved an agreement for a 5-MW solar farm.
📢 Policy & Programs
Maryland
Establishes requirements for solar canopy projects on school parking lots, specifically establishing requirements for underground power infrastructure.
UPDATE- Senate Appropriations Committee review TBH 3/20.
New York
Creates a revolving loan fund for BESS microgrids designed to power housing owned by the New York City housing authority.
Introduced in Assembly 3/20.
Assists school districts in converting to renewable energy sources as a primary source of energy.
Introduced in Senate 1/21.
UPDATE- Passed Senate 58-1 on 3/24. Moved to Assembly.
Pennsylvania
Amends regulations to establish decommissioning and bonding requirements for solar projects.
Introduced in Senate 2/26.
UPDATE- Hearing held 3/24. No vote held.
Exempts the sale of a solar energy system or components from certain taxes.
Introduced in Senate 3/21, referred to Finance Committee.
Would use federal funds for a Pennsylvania Solar for All rooftop-focused program.
Introduced in House 1/29.
UPDATE- Reintroduced to House with amendments 3/19, referred to Appropriations Committee.
Virginia
Provides that any locality may include in its land development ordinances a provision that requires that an applicant must install a solar canopy over designated parking areas. Applies only to nonresidential parking areas with 100 parking spaces or more.
Introduced 1/7.
Passed House 64-32 on 1/30. Passed Senate 40-0 on 2/11.
UPDATE- vetoed by Governor on 3/24.
📋 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 20256 REC RFP.
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
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.
Wisconsin
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) has issued a proposal in Midwest WI, for the design, procurement, and installation of new residential and small commercial PV systems as part of a bulk purchasing effort to lower prices. Proposals are due by 3/29.
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