Spark Alerts: Jan 24, 2025

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

January 24, 2025

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

📰 Market & Development News

Iowa (new)

Tama County Supervisors place moratoriums on commercial wind, solar energy development and construction; NextEra acquires Salt Creek Wind
AHJ: Tama County
1/18/25: Tama County supervisors placed a temporary moratorium on the development and construction of commercial wind and solar energy projects. The decision, made on January 6, 2025, is a response to community advocacy spearheaded by the Tama County Against Turbines (TCAT) group, which has been vocal against wind development for years. The moratorium aims to provide time for the county to update its land use ordinances regarding wind and solar energy and to protect local interests.
NextEra Energy Resources recently acquired the Salt Creek Wind project, currently under development, raising concerns about how the moratorium might affect its progress, particularly since it is still in the construction phase. The county intends to review the impacts of the moratorium on existing projects.
—

Proposed solar farm project hits snag
AHJ: Louisa County
1/22/25: Louisa County commissioners plan to revisit decommissioning requirements in its solar energy ordinance. Specifically, the county plans to address bonding requirements and ownership transfer provisions in its next meeting on Feb 10.

Illinois

McDonalds and Wendy’s Stores in Northern Illinois Partner with Perch Energy
Developer: Perch Energy
1/23/25: Perch Energy announced that 21 McDonald’s and Wendy’s locations would enter into a 20-year PPA for energy generated from local solar farms. The locations would save an estimated $20,000 annually on electricity costs.
—

Summit Ridge Energy Partners with OSF HealthCare to Deliver $9 Million in Energy Savings
Developer: Summit Ridge Energy
1/23/25: Summit Ridge announced a 20-year agreement with OSF Healthcare to subscribe to 14 community solar projects in Illinois, totaling 24MW, for 20 years. Annual savings for OSF are estimated at $450,000 per year.
—

Yorkville Solar Farm Approval
Developer: Nexamp
AHJ: City of Yorkville
12/29/24: 23-acre, 5MW solar farm approved for 2025 construction. Part of four recently approved solar farms.
—

Corneils Road Solar Project
Developer: Nexamp
AHJ: City of Yorkville
12/20/24: 35-acre, 4.99MW project with battery storage presented at hearing.
—

Hoopeston Community Benefits Agreement
Developer: Nexamp
AHJ: City of Hoopeston
12/17/24: Council approves CBA for 5MW AC, 28 acre commercial solar facility. Project moving forward.
—

Sterling Solar Farm Rejection
Developer: Nexamp
AHJ: Whiteside County
11/6/24: County planning commission recommends rejection of proposed 45-acre solar farm.
—

Serenity Solar Permit Extension
Developer: Cypress Creek Renewables
AHJ: City of Mattoon
11/4/24: 43.5-acre, 5MW project seeking extension due to substation upgrade delays.
—

Summit Ridge Energy Project Review
Developer: Summit Ridge Energy
AHJ: Adams County
6/26/24: 22-acre, 7,500-panel solar farm recommended for approval at public hearing. Residents voiced environmental and property value concerns.
—

Edwardsville Solar Array Progress
Developer: Nexamp
AHJ: City of Edwardsville
6/10/24: 2.7MW DC community solar project 90% complete, operations starting July 2024.

Maryland

Approval of revised letter to the Public Service Commission for Chaberton Solar Sugarloaf
Developer: Chaberton Solar
AHJ: Montgomery County
1/21/25: Montgomery County Council discussed the revised letter to be submitted to the Public Service Commission regarding the Chaberton Solar Sugarloaf I, LLC's application for a 4.0 MW solar PV project in Dickerson. The approval of this letter is critical as it reinforces the county's commitment to solar energy while ensuring agricultural land preservation. Comments on this project are due by January 24, 2025, following a Planning Board hearing held earlier. The current zoning ordinances place restrictions on solar projects in the Agricultural Reserve zones to protect farmland, necessitating a balance between the expansion of solar initiatives and agricultural practices.
—

Agricultural Reserve Solar Updates
Developer: Chaberton Solar
AHJ: Montgomery County
11/19/24: Sugarloaf (4MW/16 acres) and Ramiere (3MW/11 acres) projects discussed. New legislation proposed for sub-5MW projects.

Michigan

City Council discusses solar and renewable energy initiatives
Developer: St. Louis MI Affordable Solar, LLC
AHJ: City of St Louis, MI
1/21/25: During the City Council meeting on January 21, 2025, the council adopted a comprehensive renewable energy plan aimed at promoting sustainable practices within the community. A key highlight was the ongoing collaboration with St. Louis MI Affordable Solar, LLC, for the development of a 1.2 megawatt solar project, which is designed to integrate with the local power grid. The council also authorized the execution of necessary agreements to facilitate the interconnection of the solar facility.
—

50 States of Solar report: Utilities pushed for more fixed charges in 2024
1/23/25: According to the NC Clean Energy Technology Center’s 2024 annual report, Michigan led the nation in regulatory action related to community solar and net metering. This can be seen as a broadly positive development, pointing to community solar in the state.

Ohio

Ohio Townships to Discuss Solar Facilities and Community Solar Project Implementation
AHJ: Ohio
1/29/25: Townships are now empowered to develop zoning laws for solar projects of less than 50 MW, which allows communities to effectively oversee solar development. A workshop for township officials on January 29 will explore large and small solar siting, addressing implementation challenges and benefits. Furthermore, townships will discuss how to transform distressed sites into productive solar energy areas, emphasizing financial and environmental reasons behind such projects.
—

Knox County discusses solar expansion at upcoming meeting
AHJ: Knox County
1/16/25: Knox County commissioners are holding a public meeting to discuss a potential ban on industrial solar farms in unincorporated areas, after previously allowing large solar facilities under certain approval processes. This issue has gained attention following the proposed Frasier Solar project, with local townships voicing opposition to industrial solar development. The commissioners are seeking input from townships before making a final decision, and the meeting is scheduled for February 20.

Pennsylvania

Warrington Township Plans Solar ZO 763 Reviews
AHJ: Warrington Township
1/22/25: 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 this 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.
—

Penn Twp. approves advertising draft solar energy facilities ordinance
AHJ: Penn Township
1/23/25: Penn Township’s Zoning Board is advertising a draft ordinance covering the installation and operation of solar energy collection systems. The ordinance covers setback, layout, and design requirements for solar projects, and will be considered for adoption on Feb 4th.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Illinois

Spring 2025 Block Energy and Capacity RFP Calendar
The Illinois Power Association released its 2025 REC RFP calendar on 1/22/25. RFP documents will be issued on 3/6/25, with a webcast on 3/7/25. Part 1 proposals are due on 3/17/25. Draft RFP details are available here.
—

Illinois Solar for All Opens Rolling Submission Window for Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Projects
Illinois Solar for All has opened the rolling submission window for Energy Sovereignty projects within the Illinois Solar for All: Community Solar sub-program.

Currently, the available budget for Energy Sovereignty projects has not been fully allocated, and approximately $9,273,138.75 remains. Submissions will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until either the budget is exhausted or until 5/31/25, whichever comes first.

Maryland

FY25 Community Solar LMI-PPA Grant Program
MD’s FY25 Community Solar LMI-PPA program, which provides funding for Community Solar Subscriber Organizations (SOs) to offset costs associated with PPAs, is open until 3:00pm ET on 1/30/25. Must be a licensed SO.

Michigan

MI Solar Access Request for Proposals
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 3/31/25. More details here.

Ohio

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

MUO Western Campus Solar Field Addition 2025 (Request For Qualification)
Miami University in Oxford, Ohio has a Request for Qualification to “install an array of solar panels in a large field”. Bid will be held on 3/4/35 at 2:00pm. Prebids are currently open.

Pennsylvania

Venango County, PA Solar RFP
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 2/10/25 at 3:00pm.
    —

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.

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Iowa (new)

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

  • Introduced to House 1/16/25, subcommittee review set for 1/27/25.

Illinois

  • Allows a county to deny a permit for a commercial solar or wind energy facility, including modifications or improvements, if the work required is not being performed under a project labor agreement with building trades located in the area where construction, modification, or improvements are to be made.

  • Democrat sponsored.

  • Introduced 1/23/25.

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

  • Added new Republican co-sponsor in the House 1/24/25.

Maryland

  • Prohibits the Public Service Commission from approving a CPCN for a solar energy generating station 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 to be located.

  • Republican sponsored.

  • Introduced 1/22/25.

  • 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 occurred 1/24/25 at 2:30pm.

Pennsylvania

Municipal and Emergency Responder Solar Grant Program Act

  • Establishes a program to issue grants to eligible political subdivisions and local authorities to help fund solar energy projects at political subdivision and emergency service facilities. Grants will cover up to 50% of the costs related to the purchase and installation of solar equipment, including prepayment in whole or in part of a solar lease or power purchase agreement, permit fees, energy storage, utility interconnection, and other eligible costs.

  • Democrat sponsored.

  • Introduced and referred to House Energy Committee 1/22/25.

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.

    • Introduced in House 1/23/25.

Learn and search more on Spark AI