Spark Alerts: Jan 9, 2025

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

January 09, 2025

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

📰 Market & Development News

Ohio

AHJ: Madison County

Developer: EDF Renewables, Enbridge

January 6, 2025: EDF Renewables and Enbridge's 577 MW solar farm begins operations, powering Amazon facilities across 3,500 acres, while 800 MW project remains in development.

AHJ: Hardin County

Developer: Invenergy

January 8, 2025: Invenergy's 150 MW Hardin II solar farm begins commercial operations with Meta purchasing all generated power.

AHJ: Hancock County

Developer: Leeward Renewable Energy

January 8, 2025: The 130MW South Branch solar farm, approved by the Ohio Power Siting Board in 2023, faces opposition in the state Supreme Court over community concerns. While local business groups support the project, opponents cite noise and safety issues. Construction plans target mid-2025, pending court decision.

AHJ: Statewide

A study by The Ohio State University found that nearly three quarters of alternative energy offers over the last ten years in the state’s deregulated power market were more expensive to ratepayers than the default utility offer.

AHJ: Liberty Township Developer: Kam Hau, TGE Solar LLC

January 7, 2025: TGE Solar LLC has requested a variance to install 72 ground-mounted solar panels in a residential front yard, to be reviewed at the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting on January 14, 2025.

Maryland

AHJ: Carroll County

Developer: Spring Valley Solar 1, LLC

Jan 9, 2025: A public hearing on January 9, 2025 will review Spring Valley Solar 1's proposal for a 2.25 MW community solar facility in Carroll County. The project will use 14 acres of an 80-acre site. Public comments are accepted until January 14, 2025, both in person and in writing.

AHJ: Carroll County

Developer: NextEra

Jan 9, 2025: NextEra will hold state-level hearings for two utility-scale solar projects totaling over 100MW in Carroll County in the next week. The projects are sited on agricultural land, which are prohibited by county regulations. NextEra is seeking a state approval to build regardless.

Illinois

AHJ: DeKalb

Developer: Donato Solar

Jan 8, 2025: Donato Solar has submitted a concept plan to the City of DeKalb’s Planning and Zoning Commission for a 4MW behind-the-meter solar-plus-storage project to power a data center. The project will be located in Ameren utility territory and will likely require an annexation by the City of DeKalb to build within city limits.

Michigan

AHJ: Otsego

Developer: RWE

Jan 6, 2025: Michigan’s DNR put out a public notice of intent to lease 420 acres of forested state land, aiming to use it to expand a solar development by RWE Renewables on 1,000 acres of adjacent private land. The proposal generated controversy from state and local lawmakers, who called for mass firings at the DNR. RWE, who initially approached the DNR about the lease, is now distancing itself from the proposal, saying the additional 420 access will not be necessary for project success. The DNR will need to hold a public hearing before an RFP can be held.

AHJ: Statewide

December 16, 2024: Annual report outlines Public Act 235 requirements for 60% renewable energy by 2035, increased DG program cap, and 2,500 MW energy storage target.

AHJ: Otsego County

January 4, 2025: DNR plans to clear 420 acres of forest near Gaylord for solar farm, part of broader 4,000-acre public land lease initiative for renewable projects.

AHJ: Otsego County

January 3, 2025: RWE Clean Energy's proposed 420-acre solar project on DNR forest land near Gaylord faces opposition from lawmakers over environmental concerns.

AHJ: Detroit

December 19, 2024: MPSC approves DTE's 10 MW solar project for Detroit's Solar Neighborhoods program under 35-year contract.

AHJ: Detroit

December 19, 2024: City announces three community solar projects totaling 21 MW in Gratiot-Findlay, Van Dyke-Lynch, and State Fair neighborhoods, starting spring 2025.

AHJ: Green Charter Township

December 10, 2024: Planning commission schedules December 19 hearing on wind, solar, and battery storage zoning amendments amid state control limitations.

AHJ: Washtenaw County

December 11, 2024: Ranger Power's 120 MW White Tail Solar Project in Augusta and York Townships to begin construction in 2024, operational by 2026.

AHJ: Statewide

December 20, 2024: Consumers Energy launches multiple solar projects including 3 MW at GVSU, 1 MW at WMU, and planned 2.5 MW in Blackman Township.

AHJ: North Shade Township

December 18, 2024: Township amends zoning ordinance to facilitate solar energy system installation and regulation following public meeting.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Ohio

AHJ: Butler County

Miami University in Oxford, Ohio has a Request for Qualification for an RFP on 03/04/35 at 2:00pm. The RFP is to “install an array of solar panels in a large field”.

OH Utility REC RFPs: no updates

Maryland

Maryland Solar for All will hold an RFP in “early 2025”

Illinois

Illinois Power Agency RFPs: Block energy capacity procurements will begin on June 1, 2025. Register to receive updates here.

Michigan

Michigan Solar For All (MISFA) will hold an RFP in Summer 2025.

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Ohio

Ohio’s 2025 General Legislative Session opened on Jan 6, 2025. As of Jan 9, no bills directly relevant to solar have been introduced.

Note that HB197, which would establish a state community solar pilot program, will need to be reintroduced in the House.

Maryland

Maryland’s 2025 General Legislative Session opened on Jan 8, 2025. As of Jan 9, two bills directly related to solar energy have been introduced:

AHJ: Statewide

Jan 8, 2025: Maryland Governor Wes Moore opened the 2025 legislative session by proposing a $2 billion spending rollback on the state’s climate change goals. In addition to the state’s high budget deficit, he pointed to the incoming Trump administration’s lack of federal support for environmental and sustainability measures as a major barrier for the state’s clean energy transition goals.

AHJ: Carroll County

Jan 6, 2025: Debates continue over a proposed PJM transmission line in Baltimore, Frederick, and Carroll counties. Carroll County lawmakers plan to introduce bills in the Maryland General Assembly to impede the line’s planned construction. PJM argues Maryland will face significant reliability issues if the line is not constructed, and that there are “no clearly superior options”.

Illinois

Illinois’ 2025 General Legislative Session opened on Jan 8, 2025. As of Jan 9, one bill directly related to solar and storage has been introduced:

  • 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. The land reclamation plan must outline how the property will be returned to its previous state at end of facility life. The recycling plan must outline how the material used to construct the facility will be recycled.

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

    Republican sponsored; currently prefiled with Clerk. No introduction date on file.

  • HB1201- COUNTIES- WIND & SOLAR ENERGY

    Removes changes made by Public Act 102-1123, which affected zoning ordinances for wind and solar energy projects. Allows any county zoning ordinance regarding wind or solar in place before January 27, 2023, to stay in effect, even if it conflicts with recent state law changes from Public Act 102-1123. Additionally, if a county had zoning rules for wind farms before August 16, 2007, those rules can also continue in effect, even if they were affected by Public Act 95-203.

    Republican sponsored; referred to Rules Committee

AHJ: Statewide

Jan 5, 2025: Illinois lawmakers are pushing for their lame-duck session to pass legislation to create an energy efficiency fund for Commonwealth Edison and Ameren through customer fund pooling. They are also pushing for studies on data center-related energy demand. Senator Bill Cunningham (D), who is sponsoring the legislation, said that this was a prelude to “bigger energy stuff” in the spring.

AHJ: Statewide

Jan 6, 2025: Illinois enacted a law in January 2025 removing local governments' ability to restrict wind and solar projects, following tensions with counties that had imposed renewable energy limitations. While the law aims to support state clean energy goals and boost renewable projects toward 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050, it faces ongoing local opposition. Supporters say local restrictions stem from misinformation, while critics worry about reduced local control. The law could influence similar policies in other states.

AHJ: Sangamon County

Sangamon County is advancing its solar energy initiatives by discussing the availability of siting permits for solar energy systems. Checklists have been introduced to guide applicants through the permitting process, aiding in compliance with local regulations. Public hearings are scheduled to gather input from community members on proposed solar projects, ensuring transparency and allowing citizen engagement in the energy planning process.

Michigan

Michigan’s 2025 General Legislative Session opened on Jan 8, 2025. As of Jan 9, no bills directly related to solar energy have been introduced.

AHJ: Livingston County

Jan 7, 2025: Generally, the the Michigan Public Service Commission has final jurisdiction over renewable energy sites. However, Genoa Township recently passed legislation to allow the township to have more say over the specifics of where solar and wind projects are placed in their borders. While no energy projects are in the works, they say this legislation is preparatory. It’s unclear how this will look in practice should the state mandate a project in Genoa.

AHJ: Statewide

December 20, 2024: State increases renewable goals to 50% by 2030 and 60% by 2035, with solar leading new projects despite local opposition and approval delays.

AHJ: Statewide

December 18, 2024: House approves zoning laws for 50-100 MW solar facilities, requiring MPSC certification for zoning exemptions.

AHJ: Statewide

December 26, 2024: 79 townships and counties sue MPSC to block order limiting local control over wind and solar projects under Public Act 233.

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