Spark Alerts: Mar 28, 2025

The latest solar news and program policy updates at your fingertips

March 28, 2025

Note: This is a proof of concept for Spark Alerts, focusing on utility-scale solar news and policy updates in Illinois and Texas. Please help us improve by sharing your feedback with us!

📰 Market & Development News

Illinois

  • 3/27- The Winnebago County Board is considering a 4 MW community solar facility in the county.

  • 3/25- Marion County greenlit Apex Clean Energy’s 35-acre solar farm in Patoka Township.

  • 2/35- Champaign County is discussing amendments to its ordinance to incorporate further BESS definitions and regulations.

  • 3/25- The City of Aurora filed a formal protest over RPIL Solar’s 5MW project, saying it conflicted with their comprehensive plan.

  • 3/25- Granite City approved decommissioning plans for Granite City Solar and St John Solar.

  • 3/25- Standard Solar acquired 9MW of IL community solar from Cenergy Power.

Texas

  • 3/27- Construction on Enel Green Power’s 146-MW Lily Solar project in Kaufman County which will lead to significant tax revenue losses for both the county and the local school district.

  • 3/26- Nofar and Qcells will partner to build two BESS projects in Texas, totaling 350MW.

  • 3/26- Gillespie County commissioners voted to oppose new BESS construction in the county.

  • 3/25- The City of Savoy and Fannin County will jointly study the construction of a battery energy storage system near Savoy, which has raised concerns among local residents.

  • 3/25- Vesper Energy unveiled a 600MW solar project in Swisher County.

  • 3/25- Fayette County commissioners held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance establishing more stringent definitions and requirements for solar farms.

📢 Policy & Programs

Illinois

  • HB3231/SB2289- UTILITIES- ENERGY CREDITS/CP

    • 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 3/4.

    • UPDATE- Senate Energy Committee review deadline set for 4/4.

  • SB1816- RENEWABLE ENERGY PROCUREMENT

    • Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act to allow for post-award renegotiation of contract terms for renewable energy projects supported through competitive procurements.

    • Introduced in Senate 2/6.

    • UPDATE- Senate Energy Committee review deadline set for 4/4.

  • HB3779/SB2473- MUNICIPAL AND COOPERATIVE ELECTRIC UTILITY PLANNING AND TRANSPARENCY ACT

    • 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 Energy Committee review deadline set for 4/4.

  • 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, Senate 2/7.

    • UPDATE- Senate Energy Committee review deadline set for 4/4.

Texas

  • HB3580- Solar Incentives

    • Prohibits any incentives for solar energy systems.

    • First reading in House 3/25, referred to State Affairs Committee.

  • HB3568- Interconnection

    • Provides that any solar or wind project interconnecting after 9/1/25 cannot use any “critical electric grid equipment” purchased.

    • First reading in House 3/25, referred to State Affairs Committee.

  • HB3586- Tax Abatement

    • Prohibits tax abatement on property on which solar power is planned or located.

    • First reading in House 3/25, referred to State Affairs Committee.

  • HB3228/SB2657- Solar Recycling

    • Mandates inclusion of certain recycling/disposal provisions in wind and solar lease agreements.

    • Filed in House 2/24, Senate 3/13.

    • UPDATE-Left pending in House State Affairs Committee 3/26.

  • HB3809/SB1824- Battery Decommissioning

    • Lays out regulations for removal of battery storage systems.

    • Filed in Senate 3/3, House 3/5.

    • UPDATE- First reading in House 3/25, referred to State Affairs Committee.

    • UPDATE- Senate Committee public hearing set for 3/27.

  • SB819- Renewable Energy Fees

    • Establishes additional permitting fees for solar and wind projects.

    • Introduced in Senate 2/7, sent to Business & Commerce Committee.

    • UPDATE- Senate Committee public hearing set for 3/27.

  • HB3229/SB2659- Renewable Recycling

    • Lays out regulations and requirements for recycling of renewable system components.

    • Filed in House 2/24, Senate 3/13.

    • UPDATE- House Committee public hearing set for 3/27.

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