Spark Alerts: May 16, 2025

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

May 16, 2025

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

  • 5/15- A dozen House Republicans came out against a proposed budget that would axe IRA tax credits. The solar industry is also preparing a lobbying blitz in Washington.

  • 5/14- The Trump administration is moving to rescind a Biden-era rule that lowered project fees for wind and solar on federal land.

  • 5/13- New York City issued an RFP for 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.

Georgia

  • 5/13- Athens-Clark County is considering a $1.5-million donation from an unnamed renewable energy company as part of a project package.

Illinois

  • 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, Cincinnati CSG 1 and CSG 2.

Iowa

  • 5/15- The City of Geneseo has paused plans to build its second solar farm, citing cost concerns over rates.

  • 5/14- Outdoor furnishings manufacturer Kay Park Recreation is committing to on-site solar to energize its facilities in Janesville.

  • 5/14- The City of Davenport is considering a moratorium on solar farms.

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.

Michigan

Pennsylvania

Wisconsin

  • 5/15- Spooner City approved a CUP for a 2.5-MW project by OneEnergy Renewables.

📋 RFP Opportunities & Incentives

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

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/Incentives

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

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.

  • Misc/Incentives

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.

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. An RFP will be issued on 6/22.

  • Misc

📢 Policy & Program Updates

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.

Missouri

  • Missouri’s legislative session ends today (5/16). Per state bill tracking, no major renewable bills came through in the last week.

Pennsylvania

  • SB349

    • Establishes provisions and rules for solar decommissioning.

    • Introduced in Senate 2/26, passed Senate 5/6.

    • UPDATE- Moved to House Environmental Committee 5/13.

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