Lawmakers seek to increase solar energy production in Delaware
DOVER — In an effort to increase solar energy production within Delaware, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 269 on March 19, which would require utilities to update their interconnection standards in accordance with the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s procedures.
Sponsor Rep. Frank Burns, D-Newark, explained why the move was needed.
“In 2021, we moved to open up community solar. There were 200 applicants. But by 2024, none of these projects had come online,” he stated. “Many of the community solar developers had gone to the (Public Service Commission) to complain. What was identified was the interconnection process.”
Woods Mackenzie, a global research and consultant company, had estimated Delaware would’ve had 100 additional megawatts of community solar power without these interconnection problems.
According to Solar Delaware, the state currently has about 172 megawatts of solar energy installed — enough to power over 19,000 homes. Slightly less than 5% of Delaware’s total percentage of electricity comes from solar energy.
Moreover, through Delaware’s Green Energy Program, the state hopes to increase its solar energy production to 650 megawatts over the next five years.
Under HB 269, utilities would have to update their interconnection standards within 12 months of newly regulated standards, set by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
“Right now, community solar developers don’t want to come to Delaware because of this problem,” said Rep. Burns. “If we want community solar developers to continue to build projects in Delaware, and bring energy here, we need to give them certainty that the standards will be up to date and that the utilities will have to answer to their regulatory bodies in terms of timelines and bring these projects to fruition.”
Solar energy under Delmarva Power would be regulated by the Public Service Commission, municipal electric companies will be set by the municipality and Delaware Electric Cooperative will go to their board of operations, just like any other energy matter, according to Rep. Burns.
House Minority Whip Jeff Spiegelman, R-Clayton, questioned the practical effect that HB 269 would have on those with solar panels on their roof, to which Rep. Burns clarified this bill only applies to community solar projects, not rooftop solar.
Rep. Rich Collins, R-Millsboro, expressed some concerns with the bill, stating, “I don’t think it’s considering everything there is to consider. For example, I just went by a new solar farm the other day, and where it’s located is pretty shocking to me. They’ve taken another big chunk of farmland out of production. They’ve created what I consider to be an eyesore.”
Still, he added, “I’m going to go ahead and vote yes because it’s going to pass anyway.”
HB 269 passed by a 32-5 vote, with four representatives absent. Republican Reps. Ron Gray of Selbyville, Shannon Morris of Wyoming, Bryan Shupe of Milford and Jesse Vanderwende of Bridgeville all voted against the measure.
The bill will now go before the Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee on March 25.