Spark Alerts: May 13, 2025

Note: This is a proof of concept for Spark Alerts, focusing on utility-scale solar news and policy updates in Illinois and Texas. Please help us improve by sharing your feedback with us!

📰 Market & Development News

Illinois

• 5/12- Advocates are pushing Illinois lawmakers to pass a bill to incentivize energy storage before the legislative session ends on 5/31.

• 5/10- Union County discussed a new draft ordinance setting guidelines on solar permitting, insurance, and other requirements, with special consideration for agricultural land, wildlife, and local traffic.

• 5/9- The Illinois Commerce Commission issued recommendations for the state’s first energy storage procurement program, which would target 1,038 MW of storage, with procured facilities being at least 20 MW in size and active in the interconnection queue. The program has not yet been approved.

Texas

• 5/13- Yoakum County discussed a tax abatement agreement with AES Clean Energy Services and Monarch Solar PV for a 400-MW solar project.

• 5/12- T1 Energy is seeking incentives to open an $850 million solar cell manufacturing plant in Milam County.

• 5/10- ERCOT’s CEO said Senate Bill 715, which would require backup power purchases for renewables, would pose a risk to the grid. The bill passed the state Senate last week and will move to the House.

📢 Policy & Programs

• No major policy updates.

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