Spark Alerts: Feb 21, 2025

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

February 21, 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

Georgia

  • Sheep grazing at Houston Solar Project improves economy
    Developer: Silicon Ranch
    AHJ: Houston County
    February 19, 2025: The Houston Solar Project in Georgia combines solar energy generation with sheep grazing, employing approximately 1,000 Katahdin sheep. The 68-megawatt solar farm spans 705 acres and is part of Silicon Ranch's larger portfolio of solar farms across the U.S. By using agrivoltaics, the project promotes land health, supports local economies, and showcases innovative sheep breeding practices that enhance livestock resilience. This initiative contributes substantially to job creation, tax revenue, and sustainable farming in the region.

Illinois

  • Whiteside County will settle solar farm application lawsuit accusing County Board of overriding state law
    Developer: Prataria Solar LLC
    AHJ: Whiteside County
    February 20, 2025: The Whiteside County Board has voted to settle a lawsuit from Prataria Solar LLC, which accused the county of improperly denying its application to build a 5-megawatt solar farm. The court settlement grants the necessary special-use permit for the project, conforming to a recent Illinois law that restricts counties from applying more stringent regulations than state law for solar projects.
    —

  • Nautilus Solar Acquires Illinois Community Solar Projects from Renewable Properties
    Developer: Nautilus Solar
    AHJ: Kane County
    February 19, 2025: Nautilus Solar Energy has officially acquired nearly 11 megawatts of Illinois community solar projects from Renewable Properties.
    —

  • Ogle County Board approves solar development southeast of Polo
    Developer: OneEnergy Development LLC
    AHJ: Ogle County
    February 19, 2025: The Ogle County Board has approved the construction of a 2 MWac solar facility by OneEnergy Development LLC southeast of Polo. Although the project received majority support, there were concerns raised by some board members regarding the use of prime farmland for solar development. Additionally, the Board recently increased the application fees for commercial solar projects to help manage an influx of development proposals.
    —

  • Champaign County Board Environment and Land Use Committee meeting
    Developer: Medanos Solar LLC, IAG Investments LLC
    AHJ: Champaign County
    February 19, 2025: During the Champaign County Board Environment and Land Use Committee meeting on April 6, discussions focused on Medanos Solar LLC’s 5 MW community solar plant, located in a 48.64-acre agricultural parcel. The proposal includes multiple waivers from standard zoning conditions. Additionally, IAG Investments LLC sought a Special Use Permit for a 6 MW project, also requiring several waivers and a decommissioning plan.

Iowa

  • Midamerican Seeks Approval For Solar And Turbine Projects
    Developer: MidAmerican Energy
    AHJ: Mills County, Sac County, Johnson County
    February 18, 2025: MidAmerican Energy is seeking approval from the Iowa Utilities Commission for major energy projects, including six solar energy projects producing up to 800 megawatts spread over six sites in Iowa. The solar site locations include Mills, Sac, and Johnson counties, though not all sites are fully identified yet. Approval for the solar project is requested by August, with construction expected to begin next year and completion planned for 2027.
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  • Tama County Utility Scale Solar Energy Ordinance Discussion
    AHJ: Tama County
    February 18, 2025: The Tama County government is currently engaging in discussions regarding a new ordinance for solar energy projects in industrial zones. This will likely include revised setback and other requirements. The ordinance has not yet been finalized.

Maryland

  • Eastern Shore farmers organize against proposed solar legislation
    February 19, 2025: Farmers from seven of nine Eastern Shore counties met in Ruthsburg to organize against Senate Bill 0931, which weakens local zoning authority over solar projects. They expressed concern that the proposed legislation would lead to significant damage to Maryland’s agricultural lands and rural communities. County commissioners indicated strong opposition to the bill as well.
    —

  • Wicomico County solar energy discussions
    Developer: Salisbury Riverside West Solar, Wicomico Wilber Solar
    AHJ: Wicomico County
    February 18, 2025: Public hearings will take place on February 27 for Salisbury Riverside West Solar and Wicomico Wilber Solar, which have filed for special exceptions. The developer on these projects will be updated when more information is made public.

Michigan

Missouri

  • No community solar or market updates since last issue.

Ohio

Pennsylvania

  • Could ‘Solar For All’ be doomed in Pennsylvania?
    February 21, 2025: Even if federal funding for PA’s Solar For All program is unfrozen, the state will also need approval from the state legislature by May to accept funds. A House bill is currently under review to approve potential federal funds.
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  • East Huntingdon Township to regulate solar energy facilities
    AHJ: East Huntingdon Township
    February 20, 2025: The Township of East Huntingdon in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, held a public meeting to discuss a potential solar ordinance within town bounds. While no ordinance has yet been written, residents in attendance expressed concern about agricultural preservation, decommissioning, and wildlife preservation.
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  • Wysox develops amended ordinance concerning solar energy, power generation
    AHJ: Wysox Township
    February 19, 2025: The Wysox Township is finalizing an updated zoning ordinance for solar energy facilities as conditional uses in the township’s Manufacturing ditrict. Notable provisions includ. a 5-acre min lot area, a 40-ft boundary setback and a 300-ft building setback. A public hearing took place on February 12, during which the updated ordinance received approval from both the Bradford County and Wysox Township planning commissions. If no appeals are lodged within 30 days, the township supervisors plan to enact the amended ordinance at their April 9 meeting.

Wisconsin

📋 RFP Opportunities

Georgia

Illinois

Iowa

  • Grow Solar Jasper + Poweshiek Counties 2025 RFP Announcement

    The Midwest Renewable Energy Association is seeking proposals for the design, procurement, and installation of new residential and small commercial solar systems as part of a bulk purchasing effort to lower prices. Proposals are due 3/12, with informational webinars to come.

Michigan

Ohio

Wisconsin

  • Grow Solar Wisconsin 2025 RFPs

    The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) has issued two separate proposals, in La Crosse County and Milwaukee + Waukesha Counties, for the design, procurement, and installation of new residential and small commercial PV systems as part of a bulk purchasing effort to lower prices. The MREA will hold six free information sessions. Proposals are due by 3/13 and 3/14, respectively.

📢 Policy & Program Updates

Georgia

  • HB507/SB203- Homegrown Solar Act

    • Creates a community solar program in Georgia.

    • Bipartisan.

    • Introduced in House 2/18, assigned to Energy Committee.

    • PROVISIONS

      • Provisions of the bill include a 5MWac system size limit.

      • Utilities required to provide CS organizations a hosting capacity search tool.

      • Utilities may impose “just and reasonable” fees on CS devs.

      • Under bill language, program interconnection applications would begin on July 1, 2025. Program start date will be January 1, 2027.

    • NOTES

      • This is a Republican-led bill with bipartisan support. Given GA’s Republican majority in the legislature and their written IX application date of July 2025, signs here could point to swift passage.

      • HB507 also went through two floor readings within two days of its introduction, which means that if the Energy Committee approves this bill, it could pass on to the Senate very quickly. With a sister bill in the Senate as well, it may move quickly.

      • Note that this bill was introduced in the last session and failed to pass. Spark will continue to monitor.

  • HB 320: Require recycling of solar panels

    • Would mandate solar panel recycling agreements for all projects.

    • UPDATE- Passed Committee review 2/20.

  • HB 249- Solar power facility agreements; revise provisions

    • Would require certification by the Department of Natural Resources that solar facility agreements meet certain requirements and lay out civil penalties for not meeting requirements.

    • Introduced 2/4, referred to House Natural Resources Committee.

    • Moved to House Energy Committee 2/6.

    • UPDATE- Passed Committee review 2/18.

Iowa

  • SF 376- Renewable Siting

    • Encourages the development of renewable energy. Gives state more jurisdiction over local ruling.

    • Introduced 2/19, referred to Commerce Committee.

  • SF 267- Solar Net Metering Co-Op Program

    • Establishes a shared solar net metering cooperative program.

    • Introduced 2/11, referred to House Commerce Committee.

    • UPDATE- Subcommittee recommended passage with amendments 2/20.

Illinois

  • SB1816- RENEWABLE ENERGY PROCUREMENT

    • Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act to allow for post-award renegotiation of contract terms for renewable energy projects supported through competitive procurements.

    • Democrat sponsored.

    • Introduced in Senate 2/6.

    • UPDATE- Assigned to Senate Energy Committee 2/18.

  • HB3265- RES AUTOMATED SOLAR PLATFORM

    • Requires municipalities with populations over 5,000 and all counties to adopt a residential automated solar permitting platform by July 1, 2026.

    • Introduced in House 2/6.

    • UPDATE- read and referred to Rules Committee 2/18.

  • HB3231- UTILITIES- ENERGY CREDITS/CP

    • Among other changes, removes the requirement for the Illinois Power Agency to annually determine the amount of utility-scale renewable energy credits to be included in the self-direct RPS compliance program.

    • Introduced in House 2/6.

    • UPDATE- read and referred to Rules Committee 2/18.

  • HB3322- MUNI CD/CTY CD-SOLAR RIGHTS

    • Prohibits a county or municipality from adopting any ordinance or resolution that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the installation of a solar energy system.

    • Introduced in House 2/6.

    • UPDATE- read and referred to Rules Committee 2/18.

Maryland

  • HB0004/SB0120- Restrictions on Use - Solar Collector Systems - Alteration

    • Prohibits any land use restrictions which increase the cost of installing a solar system by at least 5%, or that reduce the efficiency of the system by 10%, over certain thresholds. Also gives community organizations more power to install, or prohibit installation of, solar systems in “common areas or common elements”.

    • Passed House 100-36 on 2/13.

    • UPDATE- Introduced in Senate 2/14, referred to Judicial Proceedings Committee.

Missouri

  • HB 440- Solar Taxation

    • Tax liability for a solar project will be equal to $2500 per megawatt of nameplate capacity. All land associated with the project will be assessed as commercial property.

    • Introduced 1/8.

    • UPDATE- Referred to Special Committee on 2/20.

  • HB846- Net Metering Updates

    • Increases the allowable capacity of an electrical generating system that qualifies for net metering from 100 kilowatts to 1,000 kilowatts.

    • Requires a solar generating system to meet the requirements of a uniformed solar permit and inspection form.

    • Introduced in House 1/10.

    • UPDATE- public hearing completed 2/18.

  • HB1322- Solar Gardens

    • Establishes provisions (definitions ad regulations) for community solar gardens.

    • Introduced 2/17, second reading 2/18.

Ohio

  • SB2- Increase Power Generation

    • Aims to improve Ohio's electric grid by increasing power generation and making it more affordable and reliable. Includes provisions that support self-generation and self-power systems. Ends certain generation subsidies.

    • Introduced 1/22.

    • UPDATE- Senate testimony held 2/19.

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