Spark Alerts: April 15, 2025

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

April 15, 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

  • 4/12- The City of Macomb held a public hearing for an SUP to power a local wastewater plant with a solar project developed by Utopian Power.

  • 4/11- Summit Ridge announced a $400 million partnership with Apollo Funds to build commercial solar projects across Illinois.

Maryland

  • 4/14- Chaberton Solar held a second public hearing for a CPCN to construct a 3-MW project in Montgomery County.

Michigan

  • 4/11- The City of Ann Arbor is moving forward with its plan to build its own renewable energy grid.

  • 4/11- The City of Chelsea’s 0.7-MW Brandt Woods Solar project came online.

Missouri

  • 4/12- After public hearings last week, Jay County commissioners recommended up to one-year moratoriums on battery and solar facilities.

Ohio

  • 4/14- Otsego County residents filed a complaint seeking to block the development of a solar plant by RWE Solar, arguing it failed to comply with 2024 updates to state zoning laws.

Wisconsin

  • 4/14- Racine County held a public hearing to discuss updates to its solar ordinance, placing focus on balancing agricultural preservation with development.

  • 4/14- Wisconsin consumer advocates expressed concerns that many large data center proposals may fail to materialize as state utilities plan a major gas buildout to meet anticipated demand.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Georgia

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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

    • 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

Illinois

  • No bill movement. Committee decision deadlines for the following Senate bills have been set for 4/9:

    • SB2289- sets new formulas for the Illinois Power Agency’s RPS compliance targets.

    • SB1816- Allows for post-award renegotiation of contract terms for renewable energy projects supported through competitive procurements.

    • SB2473- 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.

    • SB1442- Provides for a fund to facilitate local construction workforces, and provides for offshore wind REC purchases by the Illinois Power Agency.

    • SB2497- Authorizes the Illinois Power Agency to conduct competitive solicitations to procure contracted energy storage credits. Removes additional barriers to renewable development.

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