The Solar Policy Scoop: October 2024

Illinois is switching to a new solar net billing structure on January 1, 2025.

Commerce to tariff solar imports from Southeast Asia, some by as much as 300%
Washington, D.C.

After an affirmative determination from the U.S. International Trade Commission in June that the U.S. solar panel manufacturing industry is being materially injured by imports of silicon solar cells and panels from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, Commerce announced its preliminary tariff amounts. They range from less than 1% to nearly 300% and are expected to increase further in the final determination.

Treasury updates proposed rules for IRA low-income bonus credit
Washington, D.C.

The Dept. of the Treasury released updated rules for the IRA’s low-income solar bonus credit, including additional selection criteria to ensure at least 50% of allocations in each category support projects owned by tax-exempt entities. A recent Treasury report found the bonus credit kick-started 800 solar projects on affordable housing developments in 2023.

Senate bill would expand low-income access to community solar
Washington, D.C.

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico introduced the Community Solar Consumer Choice Act to make community solar more accessible to low-income residents. The bill would expand existing grant, loan and financing programs to include community solar programs and require each electric utility to offer a community solar program that provides all ratepayers with equitable access.

Colorado revives automated solar permitting grant program
Denver, Colorado

The Colorado Energy Office announced it will reopen its Automated Permit Processing for Solar (APPS) grant program and award $1 million in funding, with Alamosa County and Boulder County receiving the initial round of grants. Depending on the population of the applicant’s jurisdiction, they can apply for maximum awards between $40,000 and $100,000.

Illinois moving to “Smart Solar Billing” in 2025
Springfield, Illinois

Smart Solar Billing is set to begin in Illinois on January 1, 2025, and the solar industry has launched a new website for consumers and companies to learn about the new billing system. Energy credits from surplus power will now be applied to the supply portion of a customer’s energy bill rather than the entire bill, as is currently the case under full retail net metering.

Illinois democrats introduce bill to set new 8.5-GW energy storage goal
Springfield, Illinois

On the three-year anniversary of Illinois’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, democrat state representatives introduced a bill to set a goal of 8.5 GW of energy storage. A recent study found that to meet CEJA’s goals, Illinois must build at least that much energy storage to avoid an energy capacity shortfall beginning in the 2030s.

California storage installation licensing rule put on hold as trial continues
Sacramento, California

A California court ruled in favor of a solar + storage coalition to pause the Contractors State License Board’s new rule requiring contractors to have C-10 Electrical Contractor licenses to work on certain energy storage systems. The new requirement was slated to go into effect on October 1 but will now be paused as the trial to determine if it goes against state law continues.

Gov. Newsom vetoes bill that would have reversed CPUC’s multi-meter solar rules
Sacramento, California

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that would have allowed California schools and apartment buildings to use solar energy they generate onsite, instead of having to buy it back from utilities. SB 1374 would have reinstated rights that the California Public Utilities Commission took away from properties with multiple electric meters in 2023.

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