Spark Alerts: Jan 21, 2025

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

January 21, 2025

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

Maryland

AHJ: Montgomery County

Developer: Chaberton Solar

January 21, 2025: On January 21, 2025, Montgomery County Council discussed the revised letter to be submitted to the Public Service Commission regarding Chaberton Solar's application for a 4.0 MW solar photovoltaic project in Dickerson. Comments by the County Council reinforce the County’s commitment to clean energy, but express concerns over the project’s placement on high quality soils and location within a protected Agricultural Reserve zone. Comments on this project are due by January 24, 2025.

AHJ: Harford County

January 21, 2025: Harford County added a fifth community solar project to its pipeline on Tuesday, bringing total projected land use up to roughly 100 acres for five planned projects. Project plans will be presented to the county Development Advisory Committee on Wednesday 1/22 at 9:00am. In November 2024, Harford County preserved over 1,100 acres of agricultural land in November through the county’s agricultural preservation program, with an overall goal of 75,000 preserved acres by 2040.

Michigan

AHJ: Livingston County (Genoa & Marion Twps)

January 15, 2025 (released 1/22/25): During the January 15 meeting of the Livingston County Planning Commission, significant discussions occurred regarding proposed zoning amendments related to renewable energy projects. Genoa Township is set to update its ordinances to include regulations for solar energy, wind energy, and battery storage systems, encouraging sustainable energy while retaining local governance. Additionally, Marion Township is introducing new standards for utility-scale solar energy facilities, ensuring their deployment balances energy production with agricultural activities and protects the environment. These developments reflect a broader commitment within the county to enhance renewable energy infrastructure while ensuring environmental protection and agricultural preservation. Note that these ordinances will apply primarily to utility scale projects 50MW or higher, and may lead to more community support for smaller-scale DG projects.

January 17, 2025: The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Michigan's 2016 energy law, which requires alternative energy suppliers to source at least some of their power from within the state, may violate the U.S. Constitution's Commerce Clause by discriminating against out-of-state energy. The court returned the case to district court to determine whether the law's requirements are the only way to achieve energy reliability, with the possibility of an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case has significant regulatory implications for Michigan's energy market, potentially allowing alternative energy suppliers to compete more effectively with utilities for a share of the market and allowing for more flexibility in energy procurement.

AHJ: Michigan

January 17, 2025: According to a Climate Power report, Michigan leads the nation in clean energy development, securing 74 new projects since the Inflation Reduction Act's passage, including significant investments in renewables, battery manufacturing, and EV production. The state has attracted over $27 billion in investments and created more than 26,000 clean energy jobs, positioning itself as a key player in the nation's transition to clean energy. However, the future of these projects may be at risk, as political opponents of current climate policies, including President-elect Donald Trump, threaten to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, which has fueled much of this growth.

Ohio

AHJ: Ohio

January 14, 2025: The USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is investing nearly $1 million in Ohio’s small businesses and agricultural producers to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The largest grant, $781,897, is supporting a 1-megawatt project on a farm in Huron which will power multiple homes.

Pennsylvania

AHJ: Pennsylvania

January 18, 2025: Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Gene Yaw has proposed creating a multi-billion-dollar fund to provide low-interest loans for building new power plants, including renewables, natural gas, and possibly nuclear. This program comes in response to growing state energy demand, with Sen. Yaw warning that electricity bills could rise dramatically without more capacity.

AHJ: Warrington Twp

January 22, 2025: The York County Parks and Recreation Department in Warrington Township is holding workshops and discussions regarding Solar ZO 763, which sets guidelines for solar energy installations. Two workshops are scheduled for January 22 and February 12, allowing residents to provide input on the ordinance. On February 13, a Supervisors Meeting will follow to review the outcomes of the workshops. This initiative aims to engage the community in establishing clear regulations for solar projects, emphasizing the importance of public participation in local decision-making regarding renewable energy.

AHJ: City of New Castle

January 20, 2025: New Castle, PA’s city council adopted a new solar ordinance last week. The City will permit accessory solar energy systems by right in all zoning districts, while solar farms or commercial solar will be conditional uses in heavy industrial districts. The ordinance will go into effect on Monday, 1/27.

Illinois

AHJ: Illinois

January 21, 2025: Illinois lawmakers are drafting legislation to create state incentives for power transmission projects, including merchant lines, to address bottlenecks in the state's clean energy transition. The proposed legislation would use the state's Renewable Energy Credit (REC) program to support the development of transmission infrastructure, helping connect renewable energy sources to the grid more quickly and reducing the cost burden on developers, including those in the solar industry.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Michigan

MI Solar Access has issued a Request for Proposals for projects serving low-to-moderate income communities. Applicants must have an existing community solar array or plan to have an existing array built within the community in the current fiscal year. The RFP closes on March 31, 2025. More details here.

Ohio

BidNet lists an open RFP in Ohio labelled “Solar Development Project”. Paid access is required to view details. The bid closes 2/6/25.

Pennsylvania

Venango County, PA has opened an RFP for the lease and development of a solar project on two parcels totalling 57 acres in Frenchcreek Township. These parcels are near a county airport. Courthouse Annex, 1174 Elk Street, Franklin, PA 16323; weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

  • Proposals must be submitted in writing to Venango’s County Clerk at Courthouse Annex, 1174 Elk Street, Franklin, PA 16323.

  • Proposals will be accepted until Monday, February 10, 2025 at 3:00pm.

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.

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.

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Illinois

  • Provides that a township may regulate commercial wind energy facilities, commercial solar energy facilities, or both, through the use of zoning restrictions or moratoriums. A township's regulations shall take precedent over county regulations but not over municipal regulations.

  • Republican sponsored.

  • Introduced 1/17/25. Referred to Assignments.

Maryland

  • 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”.

  • House hearing rescheduled to Friday, 1/24/25 at 2:30pm.

  • Senate hearing held 1/15/25. The Maryland branch of the Community Associations Institute expressed support. No questions/opposing arguments.

  • Note this bill passed the House with no opposition last year.

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

  • House hearing set for 1/28 at 1:00pm.

Pennsylvania

  • Establishes an Independent Energy Office “with a mission of promoting affordable, reliable energy within the Commonwealth”. Would give the Office the power to reverse or block agency actions found to negatively impact energy reliability and affordability.

  • Republican sponsored.

  • Referred to House Energy Committee 1/14/25.

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