Colorado is working to revamp its community solar program to bring in new IRA funds.
California may require licensed electricians for energy storage renovations and maintenance
Sacramento, California
The California Contractors State License Board has approved a new rule that prohibits licensed solar contractors from installing new battery storage capacity in existing solar energy systems or performing maintenance on battery storage systems, including those they have installed themselves. The electrician-only rule will now be reviewed by the California Office of Administrative Law before it goes into effect.
The California Supreme Court will hear the NEM 3.0 case against the CPUC
Sacramento, California
The California Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by three nonprofits challenging the state’s new NEM 3.0 rooftop solar policy. NEM 3.0 went into effect on April 15, 2023 and reduced the reimbursement homeowners receive for feeding excess solar energy back into the grid by approximately 75%.
Bipartisan Colorado lawmakers are introducing a bill to renew the community solar program
Denver, Colo
A bipartisan group of Colorado lawmakers has introduced a bill to revamp the state’s community solar program using Inflation Reduction Act funds. The bill requires that at least 51% of each community solar project be reserved for income-qualified residential subscribers.
Virginia is expanding community access to solar energy with a new law
Richmond, Va
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a bill to expand community access to solar energy in Dominion Energy areas and create a new program for Appalachian Power Company customers. The law also requires utilities to consider the benefits of community solar to the electric grid when calculating minimum bills for customers.
Virginia now allows solar leasing on third-party rooftops
Richmond, Va
Virginia has passed legislation for the first time allowing third-party leases for solar installations. Proponents say solar leases help reduce upfront costs and make installations more feasible for people of all incomes.
Minnesota lawmakers are proposing the nation’s first solar-themed license plate
Saint Paul, Minnesota
In 2016, Minnesota passed the Pollinator-Friendly Solar Act, the first land cover standard for solar facilities in the country. Now lawmakers are proposing a new financing mechanism for the program: the first license plate to list a solar energy project.
Maryland’s legislation would pave the way for bi-directional electric vehicle charging, VPPs
Annapolis, Maryland
Maryland lawmakers recently passed the Distributed Renewable Integration and Vehicle Electrification (DRIVE) Act, which would make Maryland the first state to require electric utilities to allow these “vehicle-to-grid” systems to connect the state’s electricity distribution network. The bill is now on the governor’s desk.
The Maryland General Assembly passes a bill to encourage local solar development and streamline permitting
Annapolis, Maryland
The Maryland General Assembly has passed the Brighter Tomorrow Act, legislation that would lower the cost of developing solar projects in Maryland and increase the value of solar energy to energy customers across the state. Among other efforts, the bill would facilitate the adoption of digital solar permitting software by local governments.
New AD/CVD petition filed against solar cells and panels from Southeast Asia
Washington, DC
A new anti-dumping/countervailing duty petition has been filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission and the Dept. of Commerce relating to silicon solar cells and panels made in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The petition was filed by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, which also includes several U.S. solar manufacturers.
The Biden administration announces the first manufacturers eligible for 48C tax credits
Washington, DC
The U.S. Department of Energy has released details for 35 projects that have received a total of $1.93 billion in allocations from the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit. Many of the recipients fall under electric vehicle manufacturing, but a few are directly related to solar energy.
EPA is investing $20 billion in the National Green Bank Project
Washington, DC
The EPA announced the eight recipients of the National Clean Investment Fund and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator. These eight entities will create a unique national clean finance network that will finance climate and clean energy projects, especially in low-income and underserved communities.
Federal funding allocated for solar energy projects on irrigation canals
Washington, DC
Three projects in California, Oregon and Utah have received $19.5 million in funding from the IRA to study the use of solar panels on top of irrigation canals. These installations have been proven to reduce evaporation losses from the duct and cool the panels, increasing efficiency.
DOE is releasing new solutions to accelerate clean energy interconnection and close the backlog
Washington, DC
The U.S. Department of Energy has released a new roadmap with solutions to accelerate the interconnection of clean energy to the nation’s transmission grid and eliminate the existing backlog. According to Berkeley Labs, nearly 2,600 GW of generation and storage capacity is actively seeking network interconnection.
Bureau of Land Management issues final rules for renewable energy projects on public lands
Washington, DC
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has published final rules for leasing and rental rates for renewable energy projects on public lands. The final rules closely follow SEIA’s recommendations to make it easier to develop clean energy projects in these areas.
The report shows that 43 states took action on solar energy in the first quarter of this year
The United States
The NC Clean Energy Technology Center found that 43 states took some action on solar policy in the Q1 2024 edition of “The 50 States of Solar.” The majority of these policy actions relate to net metering and community solar.