Federal actions loomed large this month for the solar industry, for better or worse.
Treasury posts final rules for new technology-neutral clean energy tax credits
Washington, D.C.
The Dept. of the Treasury released the final rules for the new 48E Clean Electricity Investment Credit. The formerly solar- and wind-specific credits now include hydropower, geothermal and other zero-emissions technologies.
Treasury releases final rules for IRA low-income bonus credit
Washington, D.C.
Treasury published final rules for the IRA low-income bonus credit program that include an expanded list of qualifying technologies as defined by the statutory transition to the 48E credit. The new guidelines also clarify eligibility requirements for key categories, including expanding the list of housing programs able to participate.
Battery anode material AD/CVD worries energy storage and EV market
Washington, D.C.
A new antidumping/countervailing duties (AD/CVD) investigation could affect domestic manufacturing and deployment of lithium-ion energy storage and EV batteries in the United States. The American Active Anode Material Producers (AAAMP) filed petitions with the Dept. of Commerce and U.S. International Trade Commission seeking AD/CVD on imports of battery anode materials from China.
ITC terminates Sec. 337 investigation between Shoals and Voltage
Washington, D.C.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has decided to terminate the Sec. 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 investigation between Shoals and Voltage concerning solar panel connector products. The ITC has determined Voltage did not violate Sec. 337 by importing connectors and wire harnesses that infringe on Shoals patents.
5 solar companies included in latest batch of banned entities under UFLPA
Washington, D.C.
The Dept. of Homeland Security recently added 37 entities to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List, including five companies involved in the solar market. The UFLPA bans all imported goods from Xinjiang, an area in China that the United States determined uses slave labor of the Uyghur people, an ethnic minority in the region.
European group investigates JA Solar subsidiary on UFLPA list, says all is good
Washington, D.C.
An investigation by European solar supply chain experts into the manufacturing efforts of Donghai JA Solar, which was recently added to the UFLPA banned entity list by the Untied States, found that the JA Solar subsidiary ceased production efforts in 2018. Based on the outcome of the investigation, the European board lifted JA Solar’s temporary membership suspension immediately.
American-made solar wafers given more weight in latest domestic content bonus guidance
Washington, D.C.
The Dept. of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have released additional guidance on the IRA’s domestic content bonus (45X) for the production and investment tax credits, along with updated safe harbor tables. Now, there are optional alternative cost percentages for developers that use solar cells manufactured with domestically produced wafers to acknowledge the added cost vs. imported wafers.
17 attorneys general ask Congress to protect the IRA
Washington, D.C.
A coalition of 17 attorneys general led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell sent a letter urging congressional leaders to safeguard the investments that the IRA has supported across the country. The AGs highlight the benefits of the IRA to states across the political spectrum.
Trump calls for review of Inflation Reduction Act provisions
Washington, D.C.
In his first day in office, President Donald Trump initiated a 90-day review and freeze of disbursements in what the Office of Management and Budget called “Green New Deal”-related portions of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Keith Martin, partner at law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, said the freeze does not affect tax credits under the IRA, as those cannot be rescinded or denied by executive order.
Dept. of Labor approves IREC and SEIA guidelines for solar apprenticeship programs
Washington, D.C.
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) have received approval by the U.S. Dept. of Labor for national guidelines for Registered Apprenticeship programs for the solar industry. The guidelines provide a template that companies can use to create high-quality apprenticeship programs that comply with federal regulations.
Connecticut increases amount of incentives available to growing C&I energy storage market
Hartford, Connecticut
The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority announced updates to its Energy Storage Solutions program, including the opening of Tranche 3 of the commercial and industrial incentives as well as the reallocation of 140 MW of capacity from the residential sector to the C&I sector to match the growing demand. Residential customers can still receive up to $16,000 in upfront incentives.
Two new Massachusetts bills aim to stimulate distributed solar development
Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Sen. James Eldridge and Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis proposed two new bills that will prioritize access to local solar projects and distributed energy resources. The MOSAIC Act and Facilitating DERs Act would streamline project permitting, update the grid for renewable energy integration and more.
Legislators introduce bill to start community solar program in Washington State
Olympia, Washington
Two democratic state legislators in Washington State recently introduced the Fair Access to Community Solar Act, a bill enabling the establishment of a comprehensive community solar program. The bill would require at least 50% of community solar project capacity be provided to residential subscribers, with 30% reserved for low-income households or low-income service providers.
