Spark Alerts: May 20, 2025

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

May 20, 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

  • 5/20- Grundy County approved SUPs for two projects generating a total of 6.5 MW.

  • 5/19- Officials in the City of Geneva are looking to build solar on city-owned property.

📰 Market & Development News

📢 Policy & Programs

  • No community solar policy updates.

East Coast: MD, NY, PA, VA

📰 Market & Development News

Maryland

  • 5/20- The Town of Denton will hold a public hearing for a solar farm on a 45-acre site by Cypress Creek Renewables on Tuesday night, after the hearing was postponed twice.

  • 5/20- Cecil County will hold a virtual public hearing on a 5-MW project by Harkins Lane Solar, LLC on 5/27.

New York

  • 5/19- NYISO said solar generation in the state set an all-time peak record on April 17, generating 4,809 MW.

  • 5/19- New York’s PSC launched a wholesale review of the state’s clean energy development efforts, acknowledging that its goal of 70% renewables by 2030 is unlikely if current trends continue.

  • 5/18- New Milford is eying a solar array at a former brass plant site, where the town is also building a public works facility.

  • 5/17- CVE began construction of its first solar + BESS project, a 7-MW project at a capped landfill in Riverhead.

  • 5/16- Abundant Solar is considering a former chemical plant site in Lewiston for a community solar project.

Pennsylvania

  • 5/19- Advocates testified in the state House that PA needs to build more solar, wind, and nuclear power to meet surging data center energy demand in the next 15 years.

Virginia

  • 5/20- Roanoke County discussed proposed amendments to its solar ordinance, which would permit solar across all zoning districts and set height/setback regulations.

  • 5/19- The City of Richmond updated its ordinance on small renewable projects, including terms for impact analyses, mitigation requirements, and public comment periods.

📢 Policy & Programs

  • No major policy updates.

📋 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

  • Bronx Multi-Site Solar Development RFP

    • 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

    • 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

  • Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) Program

    • The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) is accepting applications for its Medium- and Large-scale Award Tracks under the Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) Program, with an application deadline of 8/29.

  • 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

  • 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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