Spark Alerts: April 1, 2025

The latest Distributed Generation news, RFPs and program policy updates at your fingertips

April 01, 2025

Distributed Generation news, RFPs and program policy updates in US federal policy, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

📰 Market & Development News

US

Illinois

  • 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.

Iowa

  • 3/30- Johnson County launched a task force to boost small-scale solar projects to meet their goal of 10% renewable generation by 2030.

  • 3/28- While Tama County is in the midst of legal battles surrounding their recent wind energy moratorium, sentiment from community meetings indicate that commissioners and residents are relatively open to community solar.

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.

Michigan

  • 3/28- State House Republicans are pushing to overturn a 2023 bill that let the State of Michigan override local zoning for large solar projects.

  • 3/17- Hagar Township approved a moratorium on large-scale solar facilities.

Wisconsin

  • 3/31- After Sun Prairie became the first municipality in WI to power operations with 100% renewable electricity, more municipalities are following suit and setting ambitious clean energy targets.

  • 3/27- Baldwin Village is discussing a new solar ordinance to be drafted in April after a project proposal by Nokomis Energy.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Illinois

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

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.

  • Misc

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

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Georgia

  • SR482

    • Creates a committee to study nuclear energy’s potential in Georgia.

    • Introduced in Senate 3/28.

Missouri

  • SB757

    • Among other changes, repeals a mandate for a state committee to discuss solar benefits/costs to communities and resulting tax policy.

    • Introduced in Senate 2/25.

    • UPDATE- Hearing set for 3/31.

  • SB6

    • Among other changes, repeals renewable portfolio requirements for utilities.

    • Introduced in Senate 1/8, Committee recommended passage on 2/3.

    • UPDATE- Hearing set for 3/31.

Ohio

  • HB15- Amend competitive retail electric service law

    • Among other changes, ends subsidies for utility-scale solar energy projects as well as ratepayer funding of coal power plants. Also prohibits distribution company ownership of generation assets.

    • Introduced in House 1/23.

    • UPDATE- Passed House 92-3 on 3/26. Will move to Senate.

  • SB2- Increase Power Generation

    • Aims to improve Ohio's electric grid by increasing power generation and making it more affordable and reliable. Includes provisions that support self-generation and self-power systems. Ends direct subsidies to solar projects..

    • Introduced in Senate 1/22, Passed Senate 32-0 on 3/19.

    • UPDATE- Referred to House Energy Committee 3/26.

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