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Illinois Community Solar

📰 Market & Development News

Public Hearing for Solar Farm Special Use Permit in Champaign County Developer: Mahomet IL Solar 1, LLC
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.
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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.
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Kewanee City Council OKs Solar PPA 
AHJ: City of Kewanee
February 11, 2025: The City of Kewanee’s City Council greenlit 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.

📢 Policy & Programs

• No policy updates since last issue.

East Coast: MD, NY, PA, VA

📰 Market & Development News

Maryland

Caroline County Commissioners discuss multiple solar issues 
Developer: Chaberton Solar
AHJ: Denton
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.
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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-megwatt 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.

New York

Chatham solar law focus of public meeting
AHJ: Town of Chatham
February 11, 2025: The Chatham Solar Law Committee organized an informational meeting to discuss the development of a draft municipal solar law. This initiative aims to regulate solar energy projects within the town and promote the use of renewable energy while also addressing environmental considerations. No law has been drafted yet.
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Newfield supervisor responds to concerns of tax increase from solar project
Developer: TJA Clean Energy
AHJ: Town Newfield
February 11, 2025: The Newfield Supervisor, Mike Allinger, addressed community concerns regarding a proposed 5-megawatt community solar project that some residents feared could lead to tax increases. He assured residents that the project will not take land off the tax rolls, and thus, will not raise taxes. Allinger expressed a commitment to moving the project forward while clarifying misconceptions about its financial impact on the community.
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SolarBank Provides Update on 14.4 MW Projects in Skaneateles, New York
Developer: SolarBank Corporation
AHJ: Town of Skaneateles
February 11, 2025: SolarBank Corporation provided an update on their two community solar projects located in Skaneateles, New York. These projects are planned to generate a total capacity of 14.4 MW DC, expected to power approximately 2,100 homes. The company recently received positive interconnection results. Permitting for the projects is currently underway.
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Public Hearing on Solar Energy Systems Moratorium
AHJ: Southport
February 11, 2025: The Town Board of Southport held a public hearing to gather comments on a proposed six-month moratorium on commercial solar energy systems and energy storage systems. No decision on a moratorium has been reached.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro sues Trump administration, citing frozen IRA funding February 13, 2025: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has filed a lawsuit alleging that federal agencies are unlawfully blocking the state’s access to over $3.1 billion in previously committed funds funds for programs like Solar For All, Agricultural Department grants, and greenhouse gas mitigation.
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SolaREIT Completes Land Purchase for Solops 39MW AC Solar Project in Pennsylvania 
Developer: SolaREIT
February 11, 2025: SolaREIT, a solar and battery storage real estate investment company, has successfully completed a land purchase that will support a new 39-megawatt solar project by Solops, an solar IPP with a 3-gigawatt portfolio.

Virginia

The Nature Conservancy to develop 17 solar PV and storage projects on former Appalachian coal mines
Developer: Sun Tribe Development, ENGIE
February 12, 2025: The Nature Conservancy and partners are developing clean energy projects on former Appalachian coal mines in Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, covering 360 acres. The initiative will generate about 49 MW of solar power and 320 MW of battery storage.
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Public Hearing for Sycamore Cross Solar Siting Agreement
Developer: Sycamore Cross Solar, LLC
AHJ: Surry
February 13, 2025: The Surry County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing to evaluate a siting agreement with Sycamore Cross Solar, LLC for a proposed solar energy generation facility. This facility is expected to have a capacity of up to 240 MW and will be situated on several county parcels.
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Infrastructure, climate projects across Virginia in jeopardy as Trump targets federal funding
February 11, 2025: Federal funds for Virginia's energy and climate projects—including a $156 million allocation for the Solar for All program—are at risk under the executive order freezing billions from recent infrastructure and climate laws.

📢 Policy & Programs

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.

New York

• A5395

  • Directs the public service commission to conduct a cost-benefit analysis on renewable energy systems compared to other energy sources; makes changes to greenhouse gas emission limits

  • Introduced 2/13, referred to Assembly Environmental Committee.

• S4842

  • Mandates all operations to power the state government complex to be powered by renewable energy.

  • Introduced 2/13, referred to Senate Procurement Committee.

• S4749

  • Requires financial security for end-of-life reclamation of all wind and solar projects.

  • Introduced 2/12, referred to Senate Energy Committee.

• A3884

  • Establishes a pilot program to create a microgrid in Glenwood Houses and report progress.

  • Introduced 1/30, referred to Assembly Energy Committee.

  • UPDATE- Passed Energy Committee 7-1 on 2/11, referred to Finance Committee.

Virginia

• HB2037- Solar canopies

  • Provides that any locality may include in its land development ordinances a provision that requires that an applicant must install a solar canopy over designated parking areas. Applies only to nonresidential parking areas with 100 parking spaces or more.

  • Introduced 1/7.

  • Passed House 64-32 on 1/30.

  • Passed Senate Committee on Local Government 8-7 on 2/10.

  • Passed second reading in Senate 40-0 on 2/11.

  • UPDATE- Amendments made in Senate, passed with amendments 21-18 on 2/12.

  • UPDATE- Passed House with amendments 2/14.

• HB2024- Solar photovoltaic equipment

  • Stops prohibition of use of any material associated with solar facilities that meet EPA standards.

  • Introduced in House 1/7.

  • Passed House 69-29 on 2/4.

  • Referred to Senate Committee on General Laws 2/5.

  • UPDATE- Passed Senate Committee 14-0 on 2/12.

  • UPDATE- Passed second Senate reading 36-0 on 2/14. Will move on to final reading.

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