Spark Alerts: April 11, 2025

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

April 11, 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

  • 4/10- More than 2,500 employees at the Department of Energy have applied for buyouts, which could gut the DOE’s bank and manufacturing offices.

  • 4/9- The Coalition for Community Solar Access published a report estimating that 1GW of community solar can generate $2.8 billion in state economic activity and support 18,000 jobs.

  • 4/9- President Trump announced a 90-day pause on his proposed reciprocal tariffs, with the exception of a 125% tariff on China.

  • 4/8- President Trump asked his Attorney General to stop the enforcement of state climate laws, though it is unclear if the office has significant power to do so. The order was found to be unconstitutional.

  • 4/8- Four new executive orders by Donald Trump are targeted at boosting coal, despite its recent decline.

Georgia

Illinois

  • 4/10- LaSalle County passed a resolution asserting its right to control siting for large renewable energy projects, and is urging the state to repeal a law stripping counties of that authority.

  • 4/10- Champaign County held a public hearing for an SUP on a 135-MW solar project on agricultural land by BayWa r.e.

  • 4/10- DeWitt County is considering establishing a battery energy system ordinance.

Iowa

Maryland

  • 4/10- Climate advocates are celebrating Maryland’s recent legislative package as a mixed bag, praising bills that limit gas investments and streamline community solar/BESS, but wary of legislation that expedites new gas and nuclear plants.

  • 4/9- Altus Power has acquired ten community solar projects from Prospect14, totaling 58.4 MW.

  • 4/8- Baltimore County delayed a vote on a law that would effectively kill a proposed solar farm, after the state legislature passed the Renewable Energy Certainty Act (SB931), standardizing local laws and preventing counties from making zoning changes that kill projects.

Michigan

  • 4/10- The Grand Haven Board of Light & Power contracted power from a 2.2 MW solar project by Brandt Woods Solar in Calhoun County.

  • 4/10- A report by the American Legislative Exchange Council found that renewable energy policies were driving up consumer energy bills.

  • 4/9- Big Rapids Township discussed a draft ordinance for industrial wind and solar, and will hold a public hearing.

Missouri

  • 4/9- Cass County is in the process of reworking its solar code, specifically regulating the placement of data centers and categorizing solar projects by scale.

Ohio

  • 4/9- Lake Township held a public hearing to discuss proposed height, coverage, and zoning regulations for small-scale (sub-50-MW) solar projects.

  • 4/8- Ohio currently ranks as one of the top states for solar, but that ranking is slipping as Republicans put up opposition to solar projects.

  • 4/8- APA Solar will invest nearly $20 million in northwest Ohio expansion.

Pennsylvania

  • 4/10- Franklin Township held a public hearing to discuss a proposed ordinance limiting solar to Industrial and Commercial zones and establishing permit requirements.

  • 4/10- Lehigh Township heard a zoning variance request from Trinity Solar to install a 4MW accessory solar system, exceeding the Township’s 3MW limit.

Wisconsin

  • 4/9- Barron County has filed a petition to the state PSC, asking it to reverse its recent approval for a solar facility in the county.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Georgia

  • Georgia Power – 2029–2031 All-Source Capacity RFP- NEW

    • An all-source solicitation for new generation capacity (including utility-scale solar projects via PPAs or build-transfer) to meet Georgia Power’s needs in 2029–2031

    • The RFP was launched in 2024 and is accepting bidder registration and proposals via an Accion online portal. A full schedule and bid due dates will be announced in 2025.

  • Georgia Power – CARES 2025 Renewable RFP- NEW

    • A utility-scale renewables RFP under the Clean and Renewable Energy Subscription (CARES) program, targeting ~2,100 MW of new solar and wind capacity for commercial/industrial subscribers.

    • The 2025 CARES RFP is being issued in Q2 2025, with proposal submission anticipated later in 2025.

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.

  • Misc

Michigan

  • Consumers Energy 2025 RFP- NEW

    • A broad Request for Proposals announced by Consumers Energy to add new generation resources, including utility-scale solar projects (via PPA or build-transfer), to meet future capacity needs and supply its Green Pricing program.

    • The RFP process began with a bidder conference on 4/10, and proposal submission will occur through an online portal in mid-2025 (exact due date TBD).

  • Xcel Energy 2025 RFP

    • Excel Energy is seeking 200 MW of solar or solar + storage hybrid generation assets in the Upper Midwest, to come online by 3/31/2029. Bids are due 4/29. A second RFP will be issued on 6/22.

  • DTE Energy Storage RFP

    • 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.

  • Misc

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 SEF Regenerative Energy RFP- NEW

    • The Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) is seeking projects that will support the deployment of circular energy and agrivoltaics. Bids are due by 5/15.

  • 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

  • Xcel Energy 2025 RFP- NEW

    • Excel Energy is seeking 200 MW of solar or solar + storage hybrid generation assets in the Upper Midwest, to come online by 3/31/2029. Bids are due 4/29. A second RFP will be issued on 6/22.

  • Misc

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Missouri

  • SB213

    • Prior to obtaining a CPCN, any person constructing a solar farm shall first submit an application for a permit to the county commission in each county where the solar farm is to be located.

    • Also repeals provisions exempting solar from taxation.

    • Introduced 1/8.

    • UPDATE- Senate commerce committee recommended passage on 4/8.

  • HB1007

    • Repeals provisions exempting solar from taxation.

    • Introduced 1/23.

    • UPDATE- House tax reform committee recommended passage on 4/9.

Wisconsin

  • 2025 Energy Reform Act

    • Proposes sweeping changes to the state energy industry, including prime farmland development restriction and requirements that developers must pay for farmland conservation easements if building large solar projects on farmland.

    • Introduced 4/9.

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