Spark Alerts: Feb 14, 2025

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

February 14, 2025

Distributed Generation news, RFPs and program policy updates in US federal policy, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Georgia

Iowa

  • HSB 81- Community Solar

    • Establishes a community solar program for the state and sets out potential regulations and definitions.

    • UPDATE- House Commerce Committee passed 23-0 on 2/13. Senate companion bill to come soon.

    • NOTES

      • Last year’s version of this bill (introduced in the Senate) also passed Committee review with no opposition, but never gained full Senate approval. Spark will watch closely to monitor this bill. Quick thoughts:

        • Unanimous passage by a bipartisan committee and a companion bill in the Senate are both great signs and signal support for quick passage.

        • Note that the bill was sponsored by the House Commerce Chair, which may have helped its Committee votes. TBD how it will perform outside of a Committee environment.

        • Per lobbying data, relatively balanced number of parties for and against. Many municipalities and county coalitions have so far marked themselves as “undecided”.

    • The bill is currently relatively short, and if it passes, the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) would need to write formal program rules. As it stands, some program specifics are as follows:

      • No mention of this as a pilot program, which indicates no set program time limit.

      • Generation cap of 5MWac per CS project.

        • Up to 20MWac project cap for projects sited on brownfields.

        • Distributed generation facilities may qualify as CS projects with a generation cap of 1MWac.

      • Must have at least 3 subscribers per project, with no subscriber using >40% of electricity generated.

      • No LMI requirements in bill language.

      • Subscriber organization registration required, likely through IUC.

      • CS facilities may not be located within one mile of another CS facility.

Maryland

  • HB0004/SB0120- Restrictions on Use - Solar Collector Systems - Alteration

    • Prohibits any land use restrictions which increase the cost of installing a solar system by at least 5%, or that reduce the efficiency of the system by 10%, over certain thresholds. Also gives community organizations more power to install, or prohibit installation of, solar systems in “common areas or common elements”.

    • UPDATE- Passed House 100-36 on 2/13.

  • HB1233 (SB1022)- Community Solar- Subscription Eligibility

    • Allows LMI subscribers to subscribe to a community solar project located in a different electric service territory from their own; requires the Public Service Commission to establish a process for exchanging community solar bill credits between systems in different electric service areas.

    • Introduced 2/07, referred to House Economic Matters Committee.

    • UPDATE- Hearing scheduled for 2/21.

Missouri (new)

  • HB 662/SB 386- Community Solar Pilot Program

    • Creates a 3-year community solar pilot program beginning in 2026.

    • Republican sponsored.

    • Introduced 1/8, second reading 1/9.

    • Referred to House Emerging Issues Committee 2/12. No hearing currently scheduled.

    • NOTES

      • Hard to say what the general feeling on this bill is yet. Will be useful to watch the House Committee hearing closely when it happens. Republican sponsorship is interesting and could point to broad support.

        • Generally, Repub lawmakers have been using positive language around the bill, citing economic development, job creation, and lower electric bills.

      • The bill language is currently fairly simplistic, and may receive amendments to add specifics in committee review. Bill specifics as of 2/14 are as follows:

        • Pilot program will operate for three years, with a utility-by-utility generation cap at 5% of a given utility’s electricity sales from the previous year.

        • 10% low-income and 20% middle-income subscriber requirements.

        • No MW project cap specified yet.

        • Interconnection standards CS facilities <100kW are the same as those for net-metered customers. For systems >100, the Missouri Public Service Commission must develop interconnection rules

Wisconsin

  • AB7/SB3- Local Approval for Renewables

    • Would require local approval from every AHJ in which a solar or wind facility is located before state PSC approval can be granted. Would apply to any project over 15MW in capacity.

    • Republican sponsored.

    • Introduced 2/6, referred to House Committee on Energy and Utilities.

    • UPDATE- Added new cosponsor Rep. Alex Dallman (R) on 2/11.

📰 Market & Development News

US

  • Solar and Agriculture Unite in Nationwide Policy Milestone 
    February 12, 2025: At the 2025 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), delegates voted to include the prioritization of solar projects with shared agricultural use in the AFBF's policy book, opening the door to more agrivoltaics projects nationwide.
    —

  • EPA funding freeze endangers $7B Solar For All program 
    February 11, 2025: The EPA’s Solar For All program, which aimed to bring residential solar power to low-income households using IRA funds, has had its disbursements frozen under policies from the Trump administration. This halt is delaying numerous projects and sparking concerns among lawmakers and stakeholders about the future of clean energy investments.
    —

  • Trump’s EPA chief vows to roll back Biden-era green bank funding
    February 13, 2025: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has said he will sharply reduce funding for climate initiatives. Critics warn that these cuts risk stalling the nation’s progress in addressing climate change and clean energy rollout.

Illinois

  • Public Hearing for Solar Farm Special Use Permit in Champaign County Developer: Mahomet IL Solar 1, LLC
    AHJ: Champaign County
    February 12, 2025: The Champaign County Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on February 27 to discuss a special use permit requested by Mahomet IL Solar 1, LLC for a community solar farm with a capacity of 4.99 megawatts. The project, located on agricultural land, includes requests for several waivers relating to local zoning laws.
    —

  • Discussion on Commercial Solar Energy Facility 
    Developer: Utica Solar LLC
    AHJ: LaSalle County
    February 13, 2025: During the LaSalle County Board discussed a Commercial Solar Energy Facility planned in Utica Township.
    —

  • Kewanee City Council OKs Solar PPA 
    AHJ: City of Kewanee
    February 11, 2025: The City of Kewanee’s City Council OK’d a plan to purchase power generated by a new solar array to be built on the property of a local wastewater treatment plant. The power purchase agreement will be with a company called the Clean Energy Design Group.

Iowa

  • Emmet County Board of Supervisors discusses solar moratorium 
    AHJ: Emmet County
    February 12, 2025: At the recent Emmet County Board of Supervisors meeting, a resolution was passed to impose a temporary moratorium on the construction of utility-scale solar and battery energy storage systems in the unincorporated regions of the county. The moratorium will remain in effect until September 30, 2025.
    —

  • County Zoning Administrator discusses details, objectives regarding solar arrays prior to February 18 public hearing for zoning ordinance amendment 
    AHJ: Allamakee County
    February 12, 2025: The Allamakee County Zoning Administrator, Stephanie Runkle, recently addressed the upcoming public hearing on a proposed amendment to the county's zoning ordinance, scheduled for February 18. This amendment will cover regulations for utility and, community solar systems, and updates for Personal Solar Energy Systems.
    —

  • Marshalltown Council passes another solar ordinance change, waives second and third readings 
    AHJ: City of Marshalltown
    February 12, 2025: The Marshalltown city council approved an ordinance change allowing ground-mounted solar panels to reach a maximum height of ten feet, increasing from the previous six feet. The change will facilitate the development of solar energy projects, particularly for commercial entities like McFarland Clinic, which had expressed that lower height limits rendered their solar investment unviable. The updated ordinance also enables solar on industrial, agricultural, and public institution zoned land, with special allowances for installations over water or stormwater retention areas.
    —

  • City of Newton to partner with Grow Solar Program 
    AHJ: City of Newton
    February 12, 2025: The City of Newton has chosen to partner with the Grow Solar Program to increase awareness and education about solar energy among residents and municipal stakeholders. This initiative is similar to one previously undertaken by Jasper County. City officials plan to leverage community facilities for educational events while promoting the program through its communication channels at no cost.

Maryland

  • Caroline County Commissioners discuss multiple solar issues 
    Developer: Chaberton Solar
    AHJ: Caroline County
    February 12, 2025: During a recent meeting, Caroline County Commissioners heard an ongoing application for a 3.0 megawatt solar facility that was deemed incomplete and non-compliant with local zoning laws. Despite county concerns, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reviewed the application and deemed it complete, complicating the matter for county officials. —

  • Proposed solar facility near Thurmont gets construction approval from state 
    Developer: Chaberton Energy
    AHJ: Town of Thurmont
    February 12, 2025: The Maryland Public Service Commission has approved the construction of a new 5-megawatt solar facility in the Rocky Ridge area near Thurmont.
    —

  • Second public comment hearing set for Kent County Millington solar project 
    Developer: Turning Point Energy
    AHJ: Kent County
    February 11, 2025: Kent County has scheduled a second public comment hearing regarding a proposed 5-megawatt community solar project at a local elementary school in Millington. The hearing will take place on February 19. The project, known as TPE MD KE51, LLC will take up 40 acres and is in the permitting phase, expected to have minimal environmental impacts. Initial feedback from county staff includes recommendations for perimeter fencing and added vegetative screening, as well as a proposed donation to local agricultural initiatives.

Michigan

  • Why not put Michigan solar farms on parking lots instead of farmland? February 13, 2025: A Michigan state University researcher is advocating for an “all of the above” approach to solar siting, illustrating that solar canopies on parking lots can have positive environmental effects and reduce community opposition, though the financial costs of such projects are higher.

Missouri (new)

  • State House Committee hears pitch to restrict wind, solar power 
    AHJ: Maryville, Missouri
    February 12, 2025: The State House Committee is discussing a bill that seeks to prevent the use of eminent domain by utilities for the development of wind and solar power generation projects. During the hearing, there was noticeable support for restriction. This bill may not affect independent solar developers directly.
    —

  • MLOA holds meeting in opposition of potential Callaway County solar panel expansion 
    February 11, 2025: The Mid-Missouri's Landowner Alliance held a meeting to express their ongoing opposition to the potential expansion of a solar farm in Callaway County. They emphasized their concerns regarding the significant land usage for solar farms, which has grown to over 8,800 acres as of June 2023.

Ohio

  • Bellefontaine Solar Power Regulations Pass Hearing 
    AHJ: City of Bellefontaine
    February 12, 2025: During the recent Bellefontaine City Council meeting, the Council introduced an ordinance to establish the rules, regulations and definitions of solar facilities for use within the the city limits. The ordinance distinguishes between accessory and community solar and provides a list of regulations to outline permitted wattage, placement, height, setbacks, and decommissioning.

Pennsylvania

Wisconsin

  • Town of Rome Considers Zoning Regulations for Small-Scale Solar Energy 
    AHJ: Town of Rome

    February 11, 2025: During the Town of Rome Plan Commission meeting, discussions focused on developing zoning regulations for small-scale solar energy installations. Specifically, the Commission focused on “ identifying appropriate zoning districts, setback requirements, aesthetic considerations, and any necessary permitting processes”. No decision was reached.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Illinois

Comments on IL’s 2025 RFP calendar are due today, 2/14.

Missouri (new)

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.

Wisconsin

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is seeking proposals for the design, procurement, and installation of new residential and small commercial PV systems as part of a bulk purchasing effort to lower prices. The MREA will hold six free information sessions. Proposals are due by 3/7. Questions are due by Friday, 2/21.
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Frank L. Weyenberg Library is seeking bids for the design, procurement, installation, and commissioning of a 114,000-120,000 kWh PV system at 11345 N Cedarburg Rd Mequon, WI 53092. Bids are due by Thursday, 2/20.

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