Spark Alerts: April 11, 2025

The latest solar news and program policy updates at your fingertips

April 11, 2025

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

📰 Market & Development News

Colorado

  • 4/10- Colorado officials vowed to continue pursuing their clean energy goals amid a Trump executive order targeting their state climate laws.

  • 4/9- Platte River Power Authority, a public power provider, announced a partnership with NextEra to develop a large-scale battery energy storage project.

  • 4/9- Korsail Energy’s second application for a large-scale battery project was denied again by Alamosa County.

  • 4/9- Montezuma County enacted a six-month moratorium on large-scale solar.

New Mexico

  • 4/9- New Mexico established a $20 million local solar grant fund for low-income areas.

  • 4/9- Maxeon, a utility developer, is fighting to get panels from Mexico through customs while affirming its future commitment to local manufacturing in Albuquerque.

  • 4/9- Roosevelt County voted to issue $17 million in industrial bonds to DG Sundale’s solar project, effectively greenlighting it.

Texas

  • 4/10- Vesper Energy’s 600-MW Hornet Solar project in Swisher County is on track to come online in July 2025.

  • 4/10- A Texas bill passed the Senate approving new regulations for residential solar companies. It will now move to the House.

  • 4/7- Stonewall County approved a 5,000-acre solar project by Swenson Solar, saying it would benefit the county.

📢 Policy & Programs

Arizona

  • SB1309

    • During the integrated resource planning process, The commission shall require a public service corporation to ensure that any changes to maintain or improve an electric power grid are capable of producing enough electricity throughout the year. Removes references to generation resource mix.

    • Potential to be used against renewable construction.

    • Introduced in Senate 2/3, passed Senate 2/26, amendments made in House 3/31.

    • UPDATE- Senate committee recommended amendment approval 4/9.

New Mexico

  • HB128

    • Creates a $20 million low-income solar project fund.

    • Introduced in House 1/21, passed House 3/1, passed Senate 3/20.

    • UPDATE- Signed into law by Governor 4/9.

  • HB218

    • Authorizes certain solar projects for tax credits and changes.

    • Introduced in House 1/29, passed House 2/15, passed Senate 3/17.

    • UPDATE- Signed into law by Governor 4/9.

  • HB159

    • Requires solar developers who submit an FAA notice of construction to also submit a notice to the chair of the Military Base Planning Commission.

    • Introduced in House 1/28, passed House 3/17, passed Senate 3/21.

    • UPDATE- Signed into law by Governor 4/7.

Texas

  • SB819- Solar Fees and Regulations

    • Proposes new solar administrative rules, imposes fees for projects, and requires the PUC to approve wind and solar projects before they can begin construction.

    • Introduced in Senate 2/7.

    • UPDATE- Senate Business Committee reported favorably on 4/9, will move to full Senate vote.

  • HB3278- Solar Energy Study

    • Establishes a study by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on solar and wind’s environmental, economic, and infrastructure implications.

    • Introduced in House 3/20.

    • UPDATE- State Affairs Committee public hearing held 4/9.

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