Note: This is a proof of concept for Spark Alerts, focusing on the Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania markets. Please help us improve by sharing your feedback and requests with us!

📰 Market & Development News

Pennsylvania (new)

Latest Updates on Solar Energy Developments in Pennsylvania 
AHJ: Pennsylvania, Unity Township
December 21, 2024: Unity Township rejects solar farm proposal while state initiatives aim to enhance community solar access.

Centre County Officials Back 90% Solar Energy Proposal
AHJ: Centre County, Walker Township
December 11, 2024: Ten municipal entities support solar power purchasing agreement projected to save $450,000 over fifteen years, pending zoning approval.

Solar Power Company Wins Zoning Approval in North Huntingdon 
AHJ: North Huntingdon Township
January 7, 2025: Bear Peak Power receives unanimous zoning approval for utility-scale solar farm on Schade Hill Road, with production expected to begin in 2028, overturning previous denial in a successful appeal.

Taylor Council Votes on Solar Farm Regulations 
AHJ: Taylor Borough
January 8, 2025: Council unanimously approves new regulations for future solar farm development while grandfathering existing projects.

The Debate Between Farmland Preservation and Solar Power Arrays
AHJ: Franklin County
January 9, 2025: Community divided over solar power array development on farmland, weighing renewable energy benefits against agricultural preservation.

Petition to Stop Solar Arrays in Nicholson Township
AHJ: Nicholson Township
January 11, 2025: Residents oppose solar farm construction through petition, citing concerns over wildlife impact and property values.

Unity Township Board Supervisors Discuss Solar Farms Regulations
AHJ: Unity Township
December 27, 2024: Board announces public hearing for January 21, 2025, to discuss zoning amendments classifying solar farms as special exceptions in C-Conservation District.

Illinois

Solar Development, Data Center Proposed for Peace Road
AHJ: DeKalb County
January 12, 2025: Donato Solar proposes 4-megawatt solar system and data center on 30-acre site, seeking city annexation approval.

Michigan

Arthur Township Adopts Solar Energy Systems Ordinance 
AHJ: Arthur Township
January 13, 2025: Township to adopt zoning amendment recognizing solar energy systems and other renewable energy infrastructure.

Iosco Township Considers Conditional Rezoning for Solar
AHJ: Iosco Township
January 12, 2025: DTE Electric Company proposes 1,283-acre utility-scale solar project amid community concerns about climate suitability and rural impact.

Lee Township Zoning Ordinance - Special Use Permits  
AHJ: Lee Township
January 15, 2025: Township establishes regulations for solar farm special use permits, including minimum 20-acre size requirement and decommissioning plans.

Ohio

Ohio Supreme Court Controls Fate of Solar Farms 
January 12, 2025: State Supreme Court deliberates permits for four large solar farms amid local opposition and increasing energy demand concerns.

Birch Solar Suspends Development Amid Opposition 
January 10, 2025: 300-megawatt Birch Solar project suspends development after permit denial and significant local opposition.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Pennsylvania (new)

Swisshelm Park Solar
The Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh is remediating Swisshelm Park, a local land development, into a solar project.

• An RFP for developers will be held in Q3 2025.

• A construction update will be held on 1/29/25 at 6:00pm EST. Registration via Zoom is required.

Philadelphia Green Capital Corp RFI: Clean Energy & Energy Efficiency Projects in PA
RFI for shovel-ready clean energy projects, with intent to connect projects to funding sources and technical assistance.

• Q&A “office hours” will be held 1/14/25 and 1/21/25

• Question submission closes 1/22/25.

Illinois

Illinois Power Agency RFPs
No updates.

Block Energy Capacity Procurements
Block energy capacity procurements for Ameren, ComEd, and MEC will begin in Spring 2025. Register to receive updates here.

Maryland

Maryland Solar For All

• Maryland Solar for All will begin work on an RFP in “early 2025”.

• No updates.

Ohio

MUO Western Campus Solar Field Addition 2025 (Request For Qualification)

• AHJ: Butler County

• Miami University in Oxford, Ohio has a Request for Qualification to “install an array of solar panels in a large field”.

• To be held on 3/4/25 at 2:00pm.

• Prebids are currently open.

FirstEnergy REC RFPs
No updates.

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Pennsylvania (new)

Pennsylvania’s 2025 General Legislative Session opened on 1/7/25. As of 1/12/25, no bills directly relevant to solar and storage have been introduced.

Note that PA's community solar bill, HB1842, failed to pass in the 2024 legislative session, and thus will need to be reintroduced in the House.

DEP Published Notices on Solar Energy Permits
December 20, 2024: DEP released 63 pages of permit notices including public comment period for proposed 116-acre Confer Solar Energy Facility, focusing on protecting high-quality waterways and endangered bats.

Illinois

Illinois’ 2025 General Legislative Session opened on 1/8/25. As of 1/12/25, three bills directly related to solar and storage has been introduced:

• HB1166- UTILITIES- JOB TRAINING CENTERS

  • Amends Public Utilities Act to establish solar installation job training programs through major state utilities.

  • Democrat sponsored

  • Read and referred to House Rules Committee on 1/9/2025.

• HB1163- COUNTIES CD-SOLAR & WIND ENERGY

  • Amends County Code to require that a commercial wind or solar facility owner or solar must file both a land reclamation plan and a recycling plan with the Department of Agriculture prior to a public hearing on facility siting.

  • Mandates that a commercial solar energy facility may not be sited on property with a soil crop productivity index greater than 110.

  • Read and referred to House Rules Committee on 1/9/2025.

• HB1201- COUNTIES- WIND & SOLAR ENERGY

  • Removes changes made by Public Act 102-1123, which affected zoning ordinances for wind and solar energy projects.

  • Read and referred to House Rules Committee on 1/9/2025.

Maryland

Maryland’s 2025 General Legislative Session opened on 1/8/25. As of 1/12/25, two bills directly related to solar energy have been introduced:

• 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.

  • Gives community organizations more power to install, or prohibit installation of, solar systems in “common areas or common elements”.

  • Democrat sponsored.

  • Full House hearing to be held 1/28/25. Full Senate hearing to be held 1/15/24.

• HB0061- Public School Construction and Renovation - Solar Canopies for School Parking Lots - Underground Infrastructure

  • Establishes requirements for solar canopy projects on school parking lots, specifically establishing requirements for underground power infrastructure.

  • Democrat sponsored; first reading held 11/8/25, no updates.

Ohio

Ohio’s 2025 General Legislative Session opened on 1/6/25. As of 1/12/25, no bills directly relevant to solar have been introduced.

Note that since OH’s community solar bill, HB197, failed to pass in the 2024 legislative session, and thus will need to be reintroduced in the House.

Learn and search more on Spark AI