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

• 3/18- The US EPA released a report providing no direct evidence of fraud in its distribution of $20 billion in green bank funds which had been frozen by the trump administration.

• 3/18- The Trump administration’s interim head of the DOE Loan Programs Office, a historic clean energy lender, will leave the role on Friday, with no replacement set.

Georgia

• 3/18- Baldwin County enacted a 6-month moratorium on solar projects.

• 3/18- A new report found 82,000 GA residents work in the cleantech sector, with the state’s head of commerce saying he did not believe there was a “significant threat” to the industry.

Illinois

• 3/20- SolSystems and Onyx Renewables will construct a 2.5-MW solar project in Champaign County.

Michigan

• 3/18- Algoma Township held a public hearing to consider a zoning ordinance to regulate solar facilities and establish zoning districts for projects.

Pennsylvania

• 3/19- Muddy Creek Township unanimously approved Korsail Energy’s 4.5-MW Muddy Creek Solar project following. a public hearing.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Illinois

• IPA Summer 2025 Indexed Wind, Solar Brownfield & Hydropower RFP

  • The IPA will hold a webcast on the Summer 2025 Indexed RFP on 5/28. RSVP here.

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.

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 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

Illinois

• HB 3499/SB 2310- NET ELECTRICITY METERING

  • Promotes community generation, cost standardization for interconnection, and net metering.

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

  • UPDATE- committee hearing postponed on 3/20.

• SB2387- AGRICULTURAL LAND CONSERVATION ACT

  • Would pay lessees for any agricultural land removed from production to develop a solar farm, between $700-900 per acre.

  • Introduced in Senate 2/7, referred to Assignments Committee. Amended 3/5.

  • UPDATE- Added Republican co-sponsor 3/19, making this a bipartisan-backed bill.

• HB3499- RECA AMENDMENT

  • Hire state staff to “promote distributed renewable energy generation devices and community renewable generation projects in the State”, removes barriers to renewable development.

  • Introduced in House 2/7, referred to Rules Committee.

  • UPDATE- Committee voted to pass on 3/18. Moved to second reading.

Iowa

• HF 404 (formerly HSB 81)- Community Solar

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

  • Introduced in House 1/23.

  • House Commerce Committee passed 23-0 on 2/13.

  • UPDATE- Amendment filed on 3/20. Sets definitions, prohibits cross-subsidization, and mandates that a CS subscriber shall have a minimum monthly electric bill that cannot be reduced below 150% of the subscribers’ current basic service charge. Also puts IX cost onto subscriber organizations.

• SF 376- Renewable Siting

  • Encourages the development of renewable energy. Gives state more jurisdiction over local ruling.

  • Introduced in Senate 2/19, referred to Commerce Committee.

  • Senate subcommittee recommended passage on 3/4.

  • UPDATE- House subcommittee recommended passage of sister bill on 3/20.

Maryland

• HB0004/SB0120- Restrictions on Use - Solar Collector Systems - Alteration

  • 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”.

  • Passed House 100-36 on 2/13, referred to Judicial Committee.

  • UPDATE- Senate hearing TBH 3/25 at 1:00pm.

• HB1111- Floating Solar

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

  • Introduced in House 3/05. Passed House with amendments on 3/17.

  • UPDATE- Introduced in Senate 3-17, moved to Energy Committee. Hearing TBH 4/3 at 1:00pm.

Ohio

• SB2- Increase Power Generation

  • Includes provisions for natural gas plants, pipelines, and other projects. Eliminates fees for certain coal plants.

  • Ends generation subsidies for solar.

  • Introduced in Senate 1/22. Referred to Energy Committee.

  • UPDATE- Committee recommended passage 11-0 on 3/18.

  • UPDATE- Passed Senate 32-0 on 3/19. Will move to House (sister bill currently in committee review.).

Pennsylvania

• HB362- Solar for All

  • Would use federal funds for a Pennsylvania Solar for All rooftop-focused program.

  • Introduced 1/29, referred to House Energy Committee.

  • UPDATE- Removed from table 3/18. Reintroduced to committee with amendments.

  • UPDATE- Passed first House vote 169-33 on 3/19.

• HR53- Lake Erie Generation

  • A Resolution directing a state study on the feasibility and potential benefits of the offshore hydropower, solar and wind generation systems on Lake Erie.

  • Introduced in House 2/4, referred to Environmental and Natural Resources Committee.

  • UPDATE- Committee recommended passage on 3/18.

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