The Solar Policy Scoop: April 2024 A guide to recent legislation and research throughout the country.
New report finds solar on Pennsylvania K-12 schools has tripled in last decadeHarrisburg, Pennsylvania
In the last 10 years, Pennsylvania K-12 schools have nearly tripled the amount of solar installed, according to a new statewide report on schools’ solar uptake published by Generation180, a clean energy nonprofit. The solar capacity installed at statewide schools over the past 10 years grew from 14 MW to approximately 39 MW.
California approves use of DER schedules to avoid interconnection upgradesSacramento, California
The California Public Utilities Commission issued a significant decision allowing renewable energy systems to be approved to interconnect to the electric grid using an energy export schedule (known as a Limited Generation Profile or LGP) that is designed to avoid grid impacts. This approach, which leverages California’s public grid data, can reduce the need for costly infrastructure upgrades and support higher levels of renewables on the grid.
DOE announces $72.8 million conditional loan commitment for Viejas microgrid projectAlpine, California
The U.S. Dept. of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) has announced a conditional commitment for an up to $72.8 million partial loan guarantee to finance the development of a solar and long-duration energy storage microgrid on the Tribal lands of the Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Indians near Alpine, California.
New Mexico Supreme Court rules to continue state’s community solar program as plannedSanta Fe, New Mexico
The community solar program rules were approved in July 2022 and quickly challenged by Xcel Energy’s regional utility operating company, Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS). In its 2024 ruling, the Supreme Court found that SPS’s appeal had no merit, authorizing community solar development to proceed without further delay.
Import duties may soon be coming to aluminum solar rackingWashington, D.C.
The Dept. of Commerce released preliminary findings that the governments of China, Indonesia, Mexico and Turkey harmfully subsidize their aluminum extrusion industries. As it stands, import duties could apply to pre-extruded aluminum products like solar racking.
CPUC sides with utilities in determining California’s community solar marketSacramento, California
The CPUC rejected a proposal from solar advocacy groups that would support community solar in the state, instead putting more decision-making power into local utility hands.
IRS further defines energy community qualifications for IRA creditWashington, D.C.
The Dept. of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service released guidance that provides additional information about the bonus tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act for clean energy projects in communities that have a history of fossil fuel extraction or production.
Final IRS rules released on IRA direct pay and transferabilityWashington, D.C.
The IRA created two new credit delivery mechanisms — elective pay (otherwise known as “direct pay”) and transferability — that will help enable state, local, and Tribal governments; non-profit organizations; Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories; and other entities to take advantage of clean energy tax credits. Until the Inflation Reduction Act introduced these new credit delivery mechanisms, governments, many types of tax-exempt organizations, and even many businesses, could not fully benefit from tax credits like those that incentivize clean energy deployment.
US installs more grid-scale energy storage in 2023 than ever beforeNationwide
The U.S. energy storage market reached a new deployment high in the final quarter of 2023, with 4,236 MW installed — a 100% increase from Q3, according to a new report from Wood Mackenzie and the American Clean Power Association.