California’s Public Utilities Commission has dealt another blow to the industry with its new community order on solar energy.
Bifacial solar panels lose tariff exemption after Biden changes course
Washington, DC
The Biden administration reinstated imported bifacial solar panels under Sec. 201 tariffs after the specialty solar panels enjoyed a two-year exemption from additional duties first initiated by President Joe Biden in 2022. The exemption resulted in more bifacial modules being imported into the United States than monofacial panels, increasing the objectives of the original safeguard measure were undermined. .
The revised 301 rates have been tightened for Chinese solar products, with some exceptions
Washington, DC
On May 14, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced further action on Section 301 tariffs following her four-year regulatory review, including a new focus on Chinese solar products. The new tariffs are in response to China’s increasing exports of solar products, lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles in recent years.
The Ministry of Finance opens applications for 2024 for a bonus credit program for low incomes
Washington, DC
On May 28, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS began accepting applications for the 2024 program year of the Bonus Credit Program for Low-Income Communities under Section 48E. All applications submitted within the first 30 days, before June 27, will be treated as if they were submitted on the same date and time.
The Treasury Department is seeking comment on the updated ITC and PTC rules
Washington, DC
The Treasury Department and the IRS will soon release proposed guidance on the updated Production Tax Credit (PTC) and the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The Treasury Department is now seeking comment on the proposed rules and will consult with experts from various agencies to evaluate how additional clean energy technologies could qualify for the updated clean electricity credits.
DOE opens 48C Manufacturing Tax Credit Portal for Round 2
Washington, DC
The Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, and Department of Energy announced that the DOE Qualified Advanced Energy Project Credit Program Applicant Portal (48C Portal) is now open to all interested applicants to register for a new round of allocations. Interested manufacturers must submit their concept papers through the 48C portal by June 21.
More details about the domestic content IRA bonus were revealed today by Treasury, IRS
Washington, DC
The Ministry of Finance has released long-awaited further guidance on the domestic content bonus under the Inflation Reduction Act. The update further clarified project descriptions and created a new safe harbor that allows developers to rely on standard cost percentages provided by the Department of Energy to determine eligibility.
California regulators approve new flat charges for residential electric bills
Sacramento, California
The California Public Utilities Commission voted May 9 to approve a controversial $24 monthly flat fee for residential consumers who get their electricity from PG&E, SCE and SDG&E. In exchange for the fixed rate, the rate per kilowatt hour that consumers must pay for the electricity they use would receive a one-time discount of 5 to 7¢.
CPUC Approves Utility Supported Community Solar Decision
Sacramento, California
The California Public Utilities Commission voted 3-1 on May 30 to approve a revised proposed decision on the state’s community solar program, which solar advocates warned would leave the state far behind area of community growth in solar energy. The approved decision was supported by California’s major utilities.
Vermont Legislature passes 100% renewable energy law
Montpelier, Vermont
On May 7, the Vermont Senate passed a bill that would update Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard to require 100% renewable energy sources by 2035. Gov. Phil Scott later vetoed the bill, but the organization Renewable Energy Vermont believes it will still become law when the Legislature reconvenes. for his veto-override session in June.
Vermont will reduce its net metering rate slightly during the biennial update
Montpelier, Vermont
The Vermont Public Utility Commission decided to reduce the state’s net metering rate by 2¢ after a biennial review of the program. The new rate applies to new systems requested on or after August 1, 2024.
Colorado bill to optimize electric grid for clean energy
Denver, Colo
Gov. Jared Polis in May signed comprehensive legislation aimed at modernizing the local electric grid, ensuring proactive investments and promoting the adoption of clean energy technologies. The new laws encourage utilities to make long-term infrastructure improvements to enable more renewable energy and battery storage on the grid.
Colorado’s governor signs bill to help municipalities build utility-scale solar projects
Denver, Colo
Governor Polis also signed a bill in May that provides local governments with tools to assess, site, and permit utility-scale renewable energy projects that take into account community values, including impacts to land and wildlife. The new law also directs the Colorado Energy Office to develop model rules for local governments to adopt siting policies that support both renewable energy development and wildlife resources.
Minnesota is advancing legislation to improve large-scale solar + storage permitting
St. Paul, Minnesota
The Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act has been passed by the state Legislature and is awaiting Governor Tim Walz’s signature. The bill would make significant changes to reduce layoffs and improve the efficiency of the state’s permitting process for large-scale energy projects such as solar and storage.
The New Maryland Solar Grant Program provides up to $7,500 for eligible households
Annapolis, Maryland
The Maryland Energy Administration has launched a new program to give income-eligible households in Maryland major incentives to install solar panels. The Maryland Solar Access Program will provide up to $7,500 per eligible household, based on a $750 incentive per installed kilowatt-hour of DC solar capacity.
Community solar legislation awaits governor’s signature in Alaska
Juneau, Alaska
Community solar enabling legislation has passed the Alaska Legislature and now awaits Governor Mike Dunleavy’s signature to become law. The bipartisan bill would open access to clean energy for the first time to the more than 260,000 Alaskans living in rental housing and 79,000 people living below the federal poverty line.
