Spark Alerts: April 18, 2025

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

April 18, 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

  • 4/16- A misinterpretation of government documents led some outlets to falsely report that solar cells were exempt from tariffs, when there has been no such announcement.

  • 4/15- A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration had illegally withheld climate and infrastructure funds and ordered an immediate unfreeze.

  • 4/15- Montana’s state legislature officially passed a bill to create a community solar program. It will move to the Governor.

Illinois

  • 4/15- Clean energy trade associations are calling for the Illinois Commerce Commission to revise its upcoming report on clean energy storage and double its recommended procurement target.

  • 4/15- Nearly 230 people in Ursa have signed a petition opposing a proposed 27-acre solar project by Ursa Creek Solar.

  • 4/15- Nexamp is seeking approval from the City of Yorkville for a 4.99-megawatt community solar farm located next to a previously approved solar farm.

Maryland

  • 4/16- REV Renewables is accepting public comments for a 300-MW project in Garrett County.

  • 4/16- A nonprofit study found that PJM could save ratepayers hundreds of dollars a year by speeding up permitting for new generation.

  • 4/15- Wicomico County will hold public hearings for three solar projects totaling 15 MW.

Michigan

  • 4/15- The Michigan Department of Environment awarded townships in the state $8.1 million to promote renewable energy investment.

  • 4/15- Residents of Hayes Township in Otsego County filed a complaint seeking to block the development of a nearby solar project by RWE, arguing the county failed to comply with changes to the state’s clean energy zoning process.

Missouri

  • 4/17- Adair County commissioners are in discussions with Azimuth Renewables about collaborating on a potential new solar farm.

Pennsylvania

  • 4/17- Fayette County voted on a zoning amendment to increase setbacks for solar projects.

📋 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

Missouri

  • HB662- Community Solar

    • Would create a community solar pilot program.

    • Introduced in House 1/8, House Emerging Issues Committee recommended passage on 4/1.

    • UPDATE- Referred to House Legislative Committee on 4/16.

    • NOTE- this is not an excellent sign for the bill, as a second committee review has the potential to stall the bill, particularly as it will still require a full House vote before it moves on to the Senate. Spark will continue to monitor this bill closely.

Pennsylvania

  • HB1233

    • Establishes standards for battery recycling.

    • Introduced in House 4/15, referred to Environmental Committee.

Wisconsin

  • AB74

    • Creates new requirements for large-scale renewable projects and sets nuclear as a state priority over renewables.

    • Introduced in House 4/14.

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