Feb 4, 2025 Issue

Distributed Generation news, RFPs and program policy updates

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

📰 Market & Development News

Georgia (new, backdated through 1/1/25)

Hyundai Builds a Solar Parking Lot
AHJ: Bryan County
January 15, 2025: Hyundai is constructing a solar canopy over its parking lot at the Metaplant in Bryan County, Georgia. The canopy will cover 1,878 parking spaces and is expected to generate about 5 megawatts of electricity, contributing to roughly 5% of the plant's energy needs.
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Coweta County Adopts Solar Energy Ordinance

AHJ: Coweta County
January 23, 2025: Coweta County, Georgia, has adopted a new ordinance (Ordinance #003-25) promoting the installation of solar systems on existing buildings and other suitable locations, and establishing regulations for projects.
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Hart County Board of Commissioners Discusses Solar Moratorium Extension

AHJ: Hart County
January 14, 2025: During the Hart County Board of Commissioners meeting on January 14, 2025, commissioners discussed extending the existing moratorium on solar projects. Due to unresolved issues with the Solar Ordinance, an extension was deemed necessary.
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Houston County Planning Commission discusses solar project moratorium

AHJ: Houston County
January 23, 2025: During a Houston County Planning Commission meeting, members discussed their recently adopted moratorium on commercial solar projects. An interim commercial solar ordinance was also mentioned, though no decision was reached.
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Commissioners put indefinite moratorium on solar facilities
Developer: Beltline Energy
AHJ: Thomas County
January 11, 2025: Thomas County commissioners voted unanimously to implement an indefinite moratorium on solar energy facilities. Commissioner Ken Hickey expressed concerns about the management and oversight of existing solar operations. An application from Beltline Energy to rezone land for a solar facility will still be considered.

Illinois

Amoracia Solar - Madison County SUP Hearing
Developer: Armoracia Solar, LLC
AHJ: Madison County
February 4, 2025: The Madison County Building & Zoning Committee recommended denial of a Special Use Permit to construct a 5MW solar energy facility on residentially zoned land.
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Chicago and Illinois Remain Committed to Achieving Climate Goals Despite Threats to Federal Funding
February 1, 2025: Despite facing uncertainty around the future of federal climate funding due to potential policy changes under former President Trump's orders, Chicago officials remain committed to reaching its carbon reduction goals through local efforts and funding clean energy projects.

Iowa

Floyd Co. Supervisors Delay Solar Development Moratorium
AHJ: Floyd County
January 31, 2025: Floyd County Supervisors have delayed a proposed moratorium on commercial solar energy systems for the second week in a row. The county aims to put the moratorium in place by no later than March 3.
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Emmet County Supervisors Approve Solar Moratorium
February 2, 2025: During a recent meeting, the Emmet County Board of Supervisors approved a moratorium on utility scale solar and battery storage systems until September 30th.

Maryland

Public Meeting on 4.0 MW Solar Plant in Montgomery County
Developer: Chaberton Solar
AHJ: Montgomery County
February 4, 2025: A public hearing will be held on February 4, 2025, regarding a proposed 4.0 MW community solar project by Chaberton Solar Sugarloaf I, LLC, in Montgomery County. This project will occupy approximately 16 acres of a 53-acre parcel.
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Public Comment Hearing for 5.0 MW Solar Plant in Prince George's County
Developer: Croom Road Solar, LLC
AHJ: Prince George’s
February 3, 2025: A public comment hearing was held on February 3, 2025, regarding a proposed 5.0 MW solar plant by Croom Road Solar, LLC in Prince George's County. This hearing follows an application for a CPCN submitted to the Maryland PSC. The project will occupy a portion of a 40-acre site that was previously an unpermitted mine. Public comments are open until February 7.
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Walmart investing in 74 rooftop community solar projects
Developer: Solar Landscape
February 3, 2025: Walmart is investing in 74 rooftop solar projects across Maryland and Illinois in collaboration with Solar Landscape, with most projects expected to be operational by the end of 2025.

Michigan

Williams Township Public Hearing on Energy Projects
AHJ: Williams Township
February 3, 2025: A public hearing was held by the Williams Township Planning Commission, focusing on proposed amendments to approvals for wind, solar, and battery storage energy projects. Meeting minutes are not yet available.

Ohio

Ohio Chamber of Commerce emerges as unexpected ally for solar projects
February 4, 2025: The Ohio Chamber of Commerce has increasingly supported solar projects in the state, siding with solar developers in legal appeals and advocating for policies that foster development. While some Republican lawmakers continue to favor fossil fuels, the Chamber's support could help drive future clean-energy investments in Ohio and challenge local restrictions.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania governor rolls out plan to fast-track and subsidize power plants, hydrogen projects
January 30, 2025: Governor Josh Shapiro announced plans to fast-track the construction of large-scale energy projects, including solar, to address the state's energy challenges. His proposal includes tax breaks for clean energy projects and streamlining permitting through a new energy board. Details on the program have not yet been finalized.

Wisconsin

February 3, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting & Public Hearing
AHJ: Village of Baldwin
Developer: Nokomis Energy
February 3, 2025: Baldwin’s Planning Commission meeting focused on reviewing state laws and local ordinances governing solar projects. Additionally, the commission acknowledged an upcoming public hearing regarding a solar project by Nokomis Energy.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Georgia (new)

Georgia Power Files 2025 IRP Plan to Meet Energy Needs
On January 31, Georgia Power filed plans for its 2025 Integrated Resource Plan, including a new solar plus storage program for residential and small commercial customers.

Illinois

Solar for All RFQ
The Illinois Power Agency has issued an RFQ for an independent evaluator for its Solar For All program, which provides funding for community and residential solar projects.
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Spring 2025 Block Energy and Capacity RFP
Details on the Illinois Power Agency’s Spring 2025 Block Energy REC RFP will be released on March 6, 2025.

Ohio

Ohio University Athens Campus Solar Installation
Ohio University has issued a Request for Proposals to construct rooftop solar arrays on its main Athens campus. The request is open until February 21, 2025.

Pennsylvania

Venango County Solar RFP
An RFP by Venango County to construct a solar project on a 57-acre parcel will accept proposals until February 10, 2025.

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Georgia (new)

• HB 169 - Ad valorem tax; breach of a covenant for bona fide conservation use related to solar generation of energy; limit exceptions

  • Would limit exceptions to forest land conservation ordinances used to site solar projects.

  • Republican sponsored.

  • Introduced 1/29, referred to House Ways & Means Committee.

  • First reading held 1/30, second reading held 2/3. No vote held yet.

• HR 67- Georgia's Clean Energy Transition, Workforce Development, and Green Job Creation by 2050; support

  • House resolution establishing support for Georgia’s clean energy transition and for green job creation initiatives.

  • Democrat sponsored.

  • Introduced 1/27, referred to Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications Committee.

  • First reading held 1/28, second reading held 1/29. No vote held yet.

Illinois

• SB1457- COUNTY WIND/SOLAR REGULATION

  • Would prohibit a county from approving a solar project in an unincorporated area within 3 miles of a municipality unless the municipality grants approval.

  • Republican sponsored.

  • First reading 1/31/25, referred to Assignments.

• SB0023- AUDIT-IPA RENEWABLE

  • Provides that in 2025, 2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045, the Auditor General will conduct a performance audits of the Illinois Power Agency’s implementation of the Renewable Portfolio Standard and Adjustable Block program, and will provide program recommendations.

  • Added Republican co-sponsor Sen. Li Arellano, Jr. on 1/28.

Maryland

• SB0737- Property Rights Protection Act of 2025

  • Prohibits condemnation of property to construct a power line or a solar/wind project.

  • Republican sponsored.

  • Introduced in the Senate 1/31.

• HB0739/SB0478- Solar Energy Generating Systems- Local Approval

  • Prohibits the Public Service Commission from approving a CPCN for a solar energy project unless the Commission receives written approval for the construction of the generating station from each county or municipal corporation where the generating station is proposed.

  • House hearing scheduled for 3/06 at 1:00pm.

• HB00398/SB0316- Abundant Affordable Clean Energy - Procurement and Development (AACE Act)

  • Requires each utility in Maryland to submit plans for the construction or procurement of energy storage.

  • Also allows for zero-emission credits by nuclear facilities and pursues offshore wind development.

  • House hearing to be held 2/06/25 at 1:00pm.

  • Senate hearing to be held 2/13 at 1:00pm.

Ohio

• HB15- Amend competitive retail electric service law

  • Ends subsidies for utility-scale solar energy projects as well as ratepayer funding of coal power plants. Also prohibits distribution company ownership of generation assets.

  • Republican sponsored.

  • House Energy Committee hearing scheduled for 2/5.

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