Spark Alerts: May 9, 2025

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

May 09, 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

  • 5/8- Nexamp partnered with restaurant chain Chipotle to build 15 community solar farms totaling 75 MW across Illinois, New York, Maryland, and Maine.

  • 5/7- A new report found a wave of solar projects and investments has occurred in states that voted for Trump in 2024.

  • 5/6- 38 House Republicans are seeking a full repeal of the IRA and all associated subsidies.

Georgia

  • 5/7- Georgia Power officials announced construction is underway on four BESS projects totaling 765 MW across the state.

  • 5/6- The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church Sixth District has developed a program to create microgrids at churches across the state. The initiative has a goal of five systems installed by 2026.

  • 5/6- A new report by Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock said 42,000 jobs were at risk as Republicans consider repealing IRA tax credits.

Illinois

  • 5/8- Donato Solar proposed amendments to Champaign County to ease financial requirements for solar farms in a committee meeting about their 135-MW Little Prairie Solar project.

  • 5/8- Nexamp partnered with restaurant chain Chipotle to build 15 community solar farms totaling 75 MW across Illinois, New York, Maryland and Maine.

Iowa

  • 5/7- Lee County advanced to a second reading of an ordinance on the installation, maintenance, and decommissioning of solar projects in the county. Applications are paused as the county considers the ordinance.

Maryland

  • 5/7- Former Presidential candidate Ben Carson is facing local pushback after seeking to lease 30 acres of his Baltimore County land for solar.

  • 5/6- Baltimore County passed long-delayed legislation aligning with new state rules saying localities may only control solar projects under 1 MW.

  • 5/6- Chaberton Solar submitted an application for a 3-MW community solar project in Montgomery County.

Michigan

  • 5/7- Detroit debuted landscaping plans to transform 150 acres across five neighborhoods into solar farms.

Pennsylvania

Wisconsin

📋 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. Bids are due 4/29. A second RFP will be issued on 6/22.

  • Misc

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Michigan

  • HB4028

    • Eliminates zoning exemptions for large-scale solar and BESS facilities.

    • Introduced in House 1/28.

    • UPDATE- Passed House 5/6, sent to Senate.

Ohio

  • HB15

    • Repeals state solar and coal subsidies. Also establishes a community energy pilot program- effectively a community solar program using other energy sources as well as solar.

    • Introduced 1/23, passed House 3/26. Passed Senate 33-0 on 4/30.

    • UPDATE- Sent to Governor on 5/7.

Pennsylvania

  • HB504

    • Establishes a community solar program.

    • Introduced in House 4/23.

    • UPDATE- Passed House 114-89 on 5/7, sent to Senate.

    • NOTES- This is a good sign for the bill, which has seen multiple delays and reintroductions thus far. The bill is likely to have a harder time in the Republican-controlled Senate, though it did win some Republican support in the House.

  • SB349

    • Establishes decommissioning and financial requirements for solar projects.

    • Introduced in Senate 2/26.

    • UPDATE- Passed Senate 49-1 on 5/6, sent to House.

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