Chicago HOA members considering solar may now have an easier path thanks to new legislation.
Ohio Governor Gives Local Officials More Control Over Location of Solar Projects
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill in July that allows local officials to reject solar and wind projects early in their development. WTOL. The news station noted that this capability does not extend to coal mines or gas wells.
Alabama Power facing lawsuit for rooftop solar cost
Montgomery, Alabama
The Southern Environmental Law Center and Ragsdale have filed a lawsuit against Alabama Power on behalf of four rooftop solar customers and a renewable energy advocacy group. ABC news. The suit argues that the utility’s fixed customer fee of $5.41 per kilowatt purposely discourages solar adoption in the state.
Georgia grid metering program reaches limit, endangering rooftop solar growth
Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia Power’s pilot grid measurement program peaked at 5,000 customers in July. Solar proponents are urging the Public Service Commission to expand the program to keep the state’s solar momentum going.
Republicans in Wisconsin are working on legislation to enable solar in the community
Madison, Wisconsin
Republicans in the Wisconsin state house announced plans during this session to introduce legislation that would allow community solar development in the state. The legislators emphasized the benefits of energy choice for consumers and the benefits of local, renewable energy.
NAACP Publishes Series of Equitable Solar Policy Principles for Lawyers, Lawmakers
Washington, DC
The NAACP’s Solar Equity Working Group has released a series of policy principles to help lawmakers and advocates ensure that the benefits of solar extend to historically disadvantaged communities. SEIA, Vote Solar and other interest groups supported the initiative.
SEIA Outlines Infrastructure Policy Priorities in Letter to House Committee on Ways and Means
Washington, DC
As the infrastructure bill moves toward a vote, SEIA highlighted the solar policy priorities it believes should be included. In a letter to the House Committee on Ways and Means, the group called for an expansion of the ITC, an instant pay option, a standalone energy storage ITC, and more.
Biden Administration Includes New Energy Storage Funding in 2022 DOE Budget Proposal
Washington, DC
The Biden administration is pushing for tools to develop more affordable renewable energy storage in its latest budget request to the Department of Energy. The proposed additional research funding would help achieve the government’s goal of reducing energy storage costs on the grid by 90% by 2030.
SolarAPP+ instant online solar permitting software now available nationwide
Washington, DC
The Department of Energy’s SolarAPP+ free instant online licensing software is now available for all nationwide locations following successful trials with select cities. With SolarAPP+, cities can automatically check projects for code compliance, reducing soft costs and wait times.
SolSmart brings in four new advisory organizations to help cities remove barriers to solar growth
Washington, DC
The SolSmart program has added four new advisory organizations to drive the growth of solar energy use in Ohio, Utah, Idaho and Puerto Rico. The DOE-funded program provides free technical assistance to sites to remove barriers to rooftop solar installation.
Michigan Municipal League Supports State Community Solar Legislation
Lansing, Michigan
An organization representing more than 520 cities in the state of Michigan has expressed its support for community solar legislation by joining the Michigan Community Solar Alliance. The Michigan Municipal League joins more than a dozen other supporters of the bill, including the Sierra Club Michigan and the Michigan branch of The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America.
Oregon officially commits to 100% clean electricity by 2040
Salem, Oregon
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed a bill requiring electricity suppliers in the state to provide 100% clean power to their customers by 2040. Oregon now connects New York to the fastest statewide timeline in the nation.
NJBPU Approves Successor Solar Incentive Program, Doubling State’s Solar Capacity
Trenton, New Jersey
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities voted unanimously to implement a new solar incentive program that will double the state’s solar capacity by 2026. Under the new plan, all residential solar customers will receive a fixed incentive fee.
New Illinois law makes it easier for HOA community members to install rooftop solar
Springfield, Illinois
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed a bill that will protect the rights of customers to solar, especially when faced with discriminatory covenants from the Homeowners Association (HOA). The law aims to speed up the HOA approval timeline for solar projects and ensure homeowners’ rights to install solar on their roofs without major redesign requirements.
California State Licensing Board Votes to Allow Only C-10 Contractors to Install Solar and Storage Projects
Sacramento, California
California’s Contractor State Licensing Board ruled that in the future, only electrical contractors with a C-10 license will be allowed to install solar and storage projects in the state. Currently, contractors are allowed to install solar + storage as long as they have a C-46 license.
Congresswoman Linda Sánchez Introduces Bill to Increase and Expand Solar Tax Credit
Washington, DC
Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, along with two co-sponsors, introduced the Residential Solar Opportunity Act to give residential solar customers the same tax credits as business owners. The bill would increase the ITC for residential solar to 30% for five years and then scale it down to a permanent credit of 10% after 2028.
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