Spark Alerts: April 18, 2025

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

April 18, 2025

Note: This is a proof of concept for Spark Alerts, focusing on Illinois community solar, then on New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Please help us improve by sharing your feedback with us!

Illinois Community Solar

  • 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.

📰 Market & Development News

📢 Policy & Programs

  • No community solar policy updates.

East Coast: MD, NY, PA, VA

📰 Market & Development News

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.

New York

  • 4/17- Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the NY Power Authority and the City of Albany will collaborate on a solar project atop a local landfill.

  • 4/16- Two community solar projects are proposed in Dunkirk and Clarence by OurGeneration LLC.

  • 4/15- UGE achieved notice to proceed for its 1.3-MW community solar project in Medford.

  • 4/15- The Village of Johnson City will hold a public hearing on 4/20 to consider a moratorium on solar energy systems.

Pennsylvania

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

Virginia

  • 4/17- Charlotte County discussed proposed amendments to zoning regulations for battery systems, including fire risks, decommissioning, and classification of battery systems into Tier 1 and Tier 2 categories.

  • 4/15- USS Hilltop Solar LLC asked Rockbridge County to extend deadlines for their 3.3 MW solar facility, adjust the start date to 5/1/26, and completion date to 6/30/27.

📢 Policy & Programs

New York

  • S07389

    • Requires 12.5% of profits generated from a solar or wind system to be paid to a taxing jurisdiction or land owner for the installation and use of said system, in addition to other PILOT or other payments.

    • Introduced in Senate 4/14, referred to Local Government Committee.

  • S07390

    • Excludes solar or wind energy projects in Lewis County that were already in existence prior to 2023 from certain appraisal models and discount rates.

    • Introduced in Senate 4/14, referred to Local Government Committee.

Pennsylvania

  • HB1233

    • Establishes standards for battery recycling.

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

📋 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

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