Treasury Issues Guidance on IRA Advanced Solar Manufacturing Credit

Washington, DC.

In December, the federal government issued proposed regulations to provide guidance on the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The new Section 45X provides credits for the manufacture (within the United States) and sale of certain qualifying components, including solar and wind modules, inverters, qualifying battery modules, and applicable critical minerals.

NYC York relaxes Zoning Restrictions, Opens 8,500 Acres of Parking Lots for Solar Canopy Development

New York City.

New York City's new zoning code repeals coverage and setback restrictions on rooftop solar installations that have historically hindered the expansion of clean energy development. In addition, the law will allow solar canopies to be installed on 8,500 acres of the city's parking lots, providing ample space for hundreds of megawatts of clean energy production.

IRS Receives Over 8 GW in Low-Income Solar Bonus Credit Applications

Washington, D.C.

During the initial 30-day application window, the Low-Income Community Bonus Credit Program received more than 46,000 applications for new energy installations in low-income communities located on Indian land as part of affordable housing or to directly benefit low-income households across the country. These applications represent more than 8 gigawatts of generating capacity, more than four times the total capacity available in the 2023 program.

Advocacy Groups Form New Illinois Solar Alliance

SPRINGFIELD, Ill.

A group of prominent solar organizations has come together to form Solar Illinois. The new organization aims to highlight the strengths of the solar industry in Illinois and build on landmark state and federal legislation to educate all Illinoisans about the value of solar energy and to help employers, workers, residents, schools, organizations, businesses, and elected Officials understand the many opportunities and benefits solar offers.

House Democrats Introduce Clean Energy Permitting and Transmission Legislation

Washington, DC.

In December, Representatives Sean Casten (IL) and Mike Levin (CA) introduced the Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration (CETA) Act.CETA seeks to inclusively and efficiently support the construction of transmission lines in a responsible, equitable, and efficient manner, to improve the reliability of the electric grid, and to develop renewable energy sources on the public land and sea.

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) Introduces Legislation to Limit IRA Solar Manufacturing Tax Credits

Washington, DC.

Senator Marco Rubio (FL) introduced the Protecting Advanced American Manufacturing Act with the express goal of prohibiting companies with ties to hostile countries such as China from receiving U.S. tax credits. The senator introduced the measure ahead of the Biden administration's release of IRA 45x manufacturing production tax credit guidelines.

solar manufacturing industry

Washington, D.C.'

The U.S. Department of Commerce is considering AD/CVD tariffs on aluminum extrusions imported from 15 countries, including China, Mexico, Turkey, India, Italy and South Korea. Aluminum is used in solar manufacturing for many structural supports and racks as well as solar module frames.