Spark Alerts: May 16, 2025

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

May 16, 2025

Note: This is a proof of concept for Spark Alerts, focusing on Illinois community solar, then on New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Please help us improve by sharing your feedback with us!

Illinois Community Solar

  • 5/15- Will County rejected two proposed 5-MW facilities by Soltage after a local village objected to the plan.

  • 5/14- The Illinois Municipal Electric Agency announced the completion of its 1-MW solar project in Princeton.

  • 5/13- Tazewell County is planning to form a subcommittee on renewable energy as it considers two 5-MW projects by Cincinnati CSG 1, LLC.

📰 Market & Development News

📢 Policy & Programs

  • No community solar policy updates.

East Coast: MD, NY, PA, VA

📰 Market & Development News

Maryland

  • 5/15- Econox Renewables held a public hearing for a proposed 2-MW project in Somerset County, with locals divided in opinion.

  • 5/13- The Maryland PSC announced a virtual public hearing for a 5-MW project by Harkins Lane Solar in Cecil County, to be held 5/27.

New York

  • 5/15- Greenwich heard proposals from Emeren on two solar projects with a total capacity of 7.7 MW.

  • 5/15- State representatives say they are committed to their goal of 6 GW of storage capacity by 2030, despite public opposition.

  • 5/14- Greenbacker began construction on its 500-MW Genesee County solar facility, the largest project in New York.

  • 5/14- A public hearing was held for North Seneca Solar, a 90-MW facility in Seneca County.

  • 5/13- New York City is seeking proposals for three solar projects in the Bronx using Solar For All funding.

Pennsylvania

Virginia

  • 5/15- Summit Ridge’s 4.1-MW Scenic Farms Shared Solar Project came online in Rockingham County. The developer says it plans to build 24 more projects.

  • 5/13- Loudon County discussed amendments to its ordinance to ensure that small-scale solar projects receive tax exemptions.

📢 Policy & Programs

Maryland

  • SB120/HB4

    • Prohibits any restriction on land use that increases the cost of installing a solar collector system by at least 5% over a certain level, or that reduces the efficiency of the system by at least 10% below a certain level.

    • Signed into law by Governor 5/13.

  • HB1111

    • Providing that floating solar systems are eligible for the Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program. Also authorizes county governments and the City of Baltimore to grant property tax credits to nonresidential solar projects.

    • Signed into law by Governor 5/13.

New York

  • SB2712

    • Directs the public service commission to conduct a full cost benefit analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems in NY.

    • UPDATE- Died in Senate Environmental Committee 5/13.

  • SB7897

    • Requires NYSERDA to establish a map of solar arrays, major renewable facilities, or major transmission facilities.

    • Introduced in Senate 5/13.

  • SB7899

    • Gives preference to parking lots, warehouses, correctional facilities, retail establishments, rest areas, and brownfields when siting solar.

    • Introduced in Senate 5/13.

  • SB8119

    • Authorizes municipalities to establish standards for distributed generation and community solar facilities

    • Introduced in Senate 5/15.

  • SB6286

    • Establishes a pilot program to provide grants to identify the viability, best practices, and strategies for agrivoltaics projects.

    • Introduced in Senate 3/7.

    • UPDATE- Passed second reading on 5/13, advanced to third reading and final vote.

📋 RFP Opportunities

Georgia

  • Georgia Power – 2029–2031 All-Source Capacity RFP

    • An all-source solicitation for new generation capacity (including utility-scale solar projects via PPAs or build-transfer) to meet Georgia Power’s needs in 2029–2031

    • The RFP was launched in 2024 and is accepting bidder registration and proposals via an Accion online portal. A full schedule and bid due dates will be announced in 2025.

  • Georgia Power – CARES 2025 Renewable RFP

    • A utility-scale renewables RFP under the Clean and Renewable Energy Subscription (CARES) program, targeting ~2,100 MW of new solar and wind capacity for commercial/industrial subscribers.

    • The 2025 CARES RFP is being issued in Q2 2025, with proposal submission anticipated later in 2025.

Illinois

Maryland

  • Maryland Solar For All has indicated that it will soon open its selection process for low-income solar contractors, and has opened an RFP for a grant management specialist.

  • Misc

Michigan

  • MI Healthy Climate Challenge: Solar For Savings

    • Includes multiple funding rounds to support projects that help the state reach carbon neutrality.

    • First round of funding will offer $9 million in grants for residential and community solar projects. Entries are due by 5pm on 7/30. See this link for more information.

  • Consumers Energy 2025 RFP

    • A broad Request for Proposals announced by Consumers Energy to add new generation resources, including utility-scale solar projects (via PPA or build-transfer), to meet future capacity needs and supply its Green Pricing program.

    • The RFP process began with a bidder conference on 4/10, and proposal submission will occur through an online portal in mid-2025 (exact due date TBD).

  • Xcel Energy 2025 RFP

    • Excel Energy is seeking 200 MW of solar or solar + storage hybrid generation assets in the Upper Midwest, to come online by 3/31/2029. Bids are due 4/29. A second RFP will be issued on 6/22.

  • 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. 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.

  • Misc

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.

  • Misc

New York- NEW

  • Bronx Multi-Site Solar Development RFP- NEW

    • RFP for a developer to design, finance, install, own, operate, repair, maintain, and decommission roof-mounted and/or carport-mounted solar systems on three NYCEDC-leased sites in the Bronx, totaling roughly 2.5 MW. Proposals are due by Thursday, 7/24.

  • City of Rochester – Municipal Facilities Solar PPA RFP- NEW

    • Rochester, NY is seeking a solar developer to finance, design, own, and operate PV systems on several large city facilities (arena, convention center, public safety building), with the City purchasing the energy via a long-term power purchase agreement.

    • Proposals are due by Friday 6/6.

  • Grid Enhancing Technologies Program

    • A $12 million grant administered by NYSERDA for development projects or research studies to enable a high-performing grid and transform the delivery of clean, renewable energy resources. The maximum grant per project is $3 million. Applications are due by 7/15.

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 SEF Regenerative Energy RFP

    • The Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) is seeking projects that will support the deployment of circular energy and agrivoltaics. Bids are due by 5/15.

  • 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.

Virginia- NEW

  • Appalachian Power – 2025 Solar/Wind/Storage RFP

    • Appalachian Power is soliciting up to 800 MW of new solar (and/or wind) projects – which the utility may acquire outright – and up to 300 MW via power purchase agreements, as well as associated renewable energy certificates, to help meet its clean energy targets. Proposals are due by 7/15.

  • Dominion Energy Virginia – 2025 Solar & Storage Development RFP

    • Dominion Energy Virginia has an open RFP for new solar projects – including large utility-scale and distributed projects – along with battery storage, to be utility-owned. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis.

  • Middlesex County Solar Lease

    • Middlesex County, Virginia seeks proposals from developers to lease and build solar on a 60-acre landfill or an adjacent 34 acres of County-owned land. Proposals will be accepted until Friday, 6/6.

Wisconsin

  • Xcel Energy 2025 RFP

    • Excel Energy is seeking 200 MW of solar or solar + storage hybrid generation assets in the Upper Midwest, to come online by 3/31/2029. Bids are due 4/29. A second RFP will be issued on 6/22.

  • Misc

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