The Solar Policy Scoop: November 2024

New solar + storage installations backed by the Dept. of Energy’s Loan Programs Office will enhance grid security for Puerto Rico.

LPO announces $861 million loan guarantee for Puerto Rico solar + storage portfolio
Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Dept. of Energy’s Loan Programs Office announced an $861.3 million loan guarantee to finance the construction of two solar + storage installations and two standalone battery energy storage systems in Puerto Rico. The borrower is Clean Flexible Energy, an indirect subsidiary of The AES Corporation and TotalEnergies Holdings USA.

ITC swiftly overrules Commerce’s aluminum extrusion import duties
Washington, D.C.

Recently imposed trade duties on aluminum extrusion imports were reversed by the U.S. International Trade Commission on October 30. Following a yearlong investigation by the Dept. of Commerce in which the department found 14 countries were dumping and/or receiving foreign government aid to produce cheaper aluminum extrusion items, a majority ITC vote determined that the U.S. market was not harmed by the investigated countries.

Solar wafer manufacturing qualifies for 25% CHIPS ITC
Washington, D.C.

According to the final rules, silicon ingot and wafer manufacturing operations for the solar industry can take advantage of the 48D Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (CHIPS ITC) created in the CHIPS and Science Act. Although the act is intended to support the general semiconductor market, solar wafer manufacturing is included.

Treasury releases final rules for 45X domestic manufacturing tax credits
Washington, D.C. 

The U.S. Dept. of the Treasury and the IRS released final rules in October for the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (45X) to spur continued growth of U.S. clean energy manufacturing. The final rules are largely in line with proposed regulations released in December 2023, but they make DC optimizers and multi-module microinverters eligible for tax credits too.

Maryland Energy Administration offering new grants for instant solar permitting adoption
Annapolis, Maryland

The Maryland Energy Administration has launched a grant program to help counties, cities, towns and other local jurisdictions adopt the instant solar permitting software platform SolarAPP+. The Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024 mandated the use of automated solar permitting software for Maryland jurisdictions.

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