Spring 2023 Solar Industry Update

States: Q1 2023 Updates A New York State Public Service Commission authorization provides $4.4 billion to fund 62 local transmission upgrades, which will enable 3.5 GW of renewable energy capacity. The upgrades are expected in the 2024-2030 timeframe. A Minnesota law requires electric utilities to reach 100% carbon-free power by 2040. North Dakota, an exporter of coal-generated power, is considering suing Minnesota under the Constitution's Dormant Commerce Clause. A California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) order requires 4 GW of zero- carbon capacity by 2027, to support grid reliability and decarbonization, in addition to 11.5 GW ordered in 2021. CPUC also approved an integrated resource plan targeting 86 GW of new resources-mostly solar and batteries-by 2035. Texas' Aggregated Distributed Energy Resources Pilot Program is enabling controllable energy equipment (such as PV + storage) on homes and businesses to act as virtual power plants. Three executive orders accelerate New Jersey's 100% zero-carbon electricity target by 15 years, to 2035. Legislation is required to implement the orders. A bill revising the state's renewable portfolio standard was introduced in 2022. A controversial Illinois law prevents local governments from limiting or banning solar and wind in support of the state's 2021 law targeting carbon-free power by 2045. California and New York have taken similar actions. A utilities commission ruling in North Carolina adds rooftop PV minimum bills, introduces time-of-use rates, and incentivizes PV-plus-storage systems. Source: Canary Media (1/27/23), Canary Media (2/24/23, 3/27/23), CPUC (2/23/23), Grist (9/15/21), Grist (3/2/23), Inside Climate News (2/27/23), New Jersey Legislature (8/8/22), Office of Governor Tim Walz (2/7/23), Politico (1/30/23), PV Magazine (2/15/23), PV Tech (2/20/23), RMI (3/6/23), State of New Jersey (2/15/23), Utility Dive (2/7/23) NREL | 20

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