Distributed Generation news, RFPs and program policy updates in US federal policy, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

📰 Market & Development News

US

• 3/17- The EPA reportedly plans to close its Office of Research and Development, a key office in informing energy and climate policy.

• 3/17- Solar and wind firms are lobbying the Trump administration to keep renewable incentives afloat, arguing they will be needed to meet data center demand.

Georgia

• 3/14- The City of Baldwin approved the 6-MW Fieldale Solar project, a collaboration between a local farm and Georgia Power.

Illinois

• 3/17- Aspen Power has closed on the purchase of a 14.1MW community solar portfolio across Illinois.

• 3/17- Champaign County discussed proposed amendments to storage zoning, including SUP requirements and new fees.

• 3/17- The City of Sandwich approved a decommissioning bond for a community solar project by Turning Point Energy.

• 3/14- The McLean County Board delayed a vote on a proposed 5-MW facility by Yarrow Solar, after Zoning Board approval, to allow for further negotiations.

Iowa

• 3/14- Tama County voted to ban all non-agricultural uses on farmland with an average corn suitability rating above 60, effectively banning solar on farmland.

Maryland

• No community solar or market updates since last issue.

Michigan

• 3/17- The City of Ann Arbor began hearings to start its own sustainable energy utility, utilizing community solar, geothermal, and distributed generation to generate clean energy.

Missouri

• No community solar or market updates since last issue.

Ohio

• 3/17- A study found that a 2021 state law giving neighbors and elected officials more power to block solar projects has blocked over 2,000 MW in Ohio since it came into effect.

• 3/17- The Ohio Supreme Court is weighing whether state regulators’ denial of a utility-scale project in Greene County was rooted in evidence. A decision against the project will make it difficult for rural developers to challenge municipal pushback.

• 3/16- Officials in the City of Painesville highlighted a 35MW solar facility and 10MW battery facility being built by the city, both on track to finish construction in 2025.

Pennsylvania

• 3/16- Franklin Township in Beaver County is set to consider the adoption of a new Solar Energy Ordinance at a public hearing on 4/10, laying out permit requirements, exemptions, and guidelines for installation.

• 3/16- As part of project requirements, OneEnergy released a Vegetation Management Plan for Root River Solar, a 6-MW project in Caledonia.

• 3/14- Muddy Creek Township scheduled a public hearing on 3/19, regarding the proposed 4.2-MW Sourwood Solar project.

Wisconsin

• No community solar or market updates since last issue.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Michigan

• DTE Energy Storage RFP

  • MI DTE announced an RFP for standalone energy storage projects to support its CleanVision IRP, with about 450MW total capacity. Bidders can register company information on the PowerAdvocate website. A webinar will be held 3/25. Bids are due 6/27.

• Agriculture and Rural Business Energy Incentive Program

  • The Michigan Department of Environment has issued an RFP for renewable energy projects for farms, agribusinesses, and rural businesses/nonprofits. The RFP will close on 4/25, with grants expected to go out by 8/31.

• Renewable Energy and Electrification Infrastructure Enhancement and Development Grant

  • The Michigan PSC has announced an RFP for businesses, nonprofit organizations, units of local and state government and Tribal governments for the purpose of planning, developing, designing, acquiring, or constructing renewable energy and electrification infrastructure projects. Proposals are due by 3/20, with a modified proposal deadline of 3/27.

Missouri

• MDNR Grid Resilience Formula Funding (GRFF) Subgrants

  • Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources is offering $13 million in total funding to “improve the all-hazards resilience of the electric grid against disruptive events and prevent outages” for projects located in Missouri.

• Missouri Green Banc: Applications for Energy Improvement Project Funding

  • Missouri Green Banc has an open RFP to solicit proposals to finance energy improvement projects. Applicants may “propose transactions that facilitate the financing of clean energy projects in Missouri”. This is an ongoing solicitation open to proposers in connection with a range of clean energy projects and businesses.

Ohio

• SOPEC Solar Development Planning

  • The Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) is requesting competitive proposals from solar developers to bundle a variety of behind-the-meter solar arrays into a unified PPA, with an option to purchase the solar arrays after the PPA term. No submission date is listed. Submissions are due by email.

Pennsylvania

• PA Department of Commerce Solar Energy Program

  • The Solar Energy Program provides grants and loans to promote the generation and use of solar energy and the manufacture or assembly of solar equipment in Pennsylvania, up to $3 per watt. Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis.

Wisconsin

• Grow Solar Green Bay- Fox Valley

  • The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) has issued a proposal in Green Bay and Fox Valley, for the design, procurement, and installation of new residential and small commercial PV systems as part of a bulk purchasing effort to lower prices. Proposals are due by 3/18.

• Grow Solar Central Wisconsin

  • The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) has issued a proposal in Midwest WI, for the design, procurement, and installation of new residential and small commercial PV systems as part of a bulk purchasing effort to lower prices. Proposals are due by 3/29.

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Georgia

• HB 402- Utility RPS

  • Directs state utilities to establish an RPS on or before July 1, 2026, the commission shall establish renewable energy sources , with an upper limit of 20% percent of annual net electricity sales.

  • Introduced in House 2/11.

  • UPDATE- Withdrawn 2/13. Recommitted to House with updates.

Illinois

• SB2387- AGRICULTURAL LAND CONSERVATION ACT

  • Would pay lessees for any agricultural land removed from production to develop a solar farm.

  • Introduced in Senate 2/7, referred to Appropriations Committee.

• HB3265- RES AUTOMATED SOLAR PLATFORM

  • Requires municipalities with populations over 5,000 and all counties to adopt a residential automated solar permitting platform by July 1, 2026.

  • Introduced in House 2/6. Assigned to Public Utilities Committee 3/11.

  • UPDATE- Committee hearing TBH 3/18 at 2:00pm.

Maryland

• HB1111- Floating Solar

  • Allows for floating solar projects of 5MW or less to receive small solar incentive grants.

  • Introduced in House 3/05.

  • UPDATE- Passed House with amendments on 3/17.

Missouri

• SB4- Solar Systems as Tangible Personal Property

  • This act provides that the definition of "tangible personal property", for the purposes of taxation, include solar panels and related equipment in connection with solar photovoltaic energy systems that were constructed and producing solar energy prior to August 9, 2022.

  • Introduced 1/8. Passed Senate 22-11 on 2/25.

  • UPDATE- Passed House 96-44 on 3/13. Will move to Governor.

Pennsylvania

• HB849- Veterans Entering the Sustainability Sector Fund

  • Creates a grant fund for sustainability or renewable-focused orgs which hire a veteran with apprenticeship training.

  • Introduced in House 3/13, referred to Labor Committee.

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