Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy And Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate clears bill to ease community solar interconnections in Delmarva territory
Summary
Senate Bill 210 passed to clarify interconnection rules so community solar projects may interconnect when the interconnection point, not the entire parcel, lies within Delmarva Power territory; sponsors cited stakeholder consensus and urgency tied to federal tax credits expiring in July.
The Delaware Senate on Thursday passed Senate Bill 210, a measure intended to resolve an interpretation issue hampering interconnection for new community solar projects in Delmarva Power territory.
Senator Hansen, sponsor of SB 210, told the chamber that the state’s 2021 law enabling community solar has been working but that a narrow interpretation of the statute has prevented some projects from receiving interconnection. Under the current interpretation, the entirety of a property had to lie within Delmarva Power’s service territory. SB 210 clarifies that the point of interconnection — not the whole parcel — must be located within Delmarva’s territory.
Hansen said the bill language was developed by an Energy Stakeholders Group and has support from the Public Service Commission, utilities and solar companies. He noted about 10 facilities (roughly 31 megawatts combined) await interconnection, representing roughly 31,000 customers served, and said there is urgency because federal solar tax credits tied to interconnection timelines expire in July.
After roll call, the Senate recorded 21 yes votes and the bill was declared passed.
