Spark Alerts: May 20, 2025

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

May 20, 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

  • 5/20- A report by the American Clean Power Association found that renewable development is booming in states that voted for Donald Trump in 2024.

  • 5/19- The US House Budget Committee advanced the GOPs tax, energy, and national security bill this weekend. While the House may make changes to the bill before advancing it, Republicans are divided over the future of clean energy tax credits.

Georgia

  • 5/20- Bijan Solar applied to rezone land for a 40-acre solar farm to sell power to Georgia Power.

  • 5/19- Candler County is taking public input on a new solar ordinance setting regulations for solar farms.

Illinois

  • 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.

Iowa

  • 5/20- The Planning Committee of Mills County recommended that no change be made to its solar ordinance as the County Board considers updates.

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.

Ohio

  • 5/19- The Town of Shaker Heights expects to save nearly $600,000 over 18 years due to a proposed solar project at a government center.

  • 5/17- Sun Lion Energy installed five solar arrays at a vineyard in Summit County using federal agriculture grants.

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.

Wisconsin

  • 5/17- Dare County is considering repurposing a former landfill into a solar site.

📋 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- NEW

  • 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.

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

  • No major policy updates.

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