The Solar Policy Scoop: June 2025

Bill altering California net metering moves forward in state assembly
Sacramento, California

A committee in the California State Assembly has passed a bill that could reduce net-metering compensation when a property is transferred. Through AB 942, if a solar-powered home is sold, the existing net-metering agreement would be updated to the current tariff of NEM 3.0, which drastically alters compensation for solar fed back to the grid.

South Carolina energy law expands solar + storage opportunities but supports new gas plant
Columbia, South Carolina

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed the South Carolina Energy Security Act (HB 3309), a law that drew mixed responses from renewable energy advocates. Although it allows utilities to develop a new major fossil fuel plant, it also gives them authority to develop new customer-side distributed energy resource programs and expand opportunities for solar + storage, load flexibility and electric vehicles.

Virginia governor signs one bill to launch VPP program, vetoes others focused on energy storage
Richmond, Virginia

In early May, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a bill that could spur virtual power plant development in Virginia. The Community Energy Act directs Dominion Energy to launch a 450-MW virtual power plant pilot, allowing homes and businesses to aggregate solar panels, batteries and more into a flexible grid resource. Youngkin decided to veto two other bills that would have required Virginia utilities to invest in energy storage.

New Massachusetts bill could reduce non-resi solar net metering
Boston, Massachusetts

A bill introduced by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is a mixed bag for renewable energy. It would allow the state to enter into contracts for new clean energy procurement instead of requiring them to go through a utility, but would also make cuts to net-metering compensation for non-residential solar projects, including community solar.

New Jersey utility updates will streamline DER interconnection
Trenton, New Jersey

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities recently approved updates to grid modernization rules intended to reduce delays in the interconnection process and speed up the timeline for projects to come online. The rule changes will make it easier and enable more distributed energy resources to plug into New Jersey’s distribution grid.

House passes more bruising budget bill for solar industry
Washington, D.C. 

The House of Representatives passed a budget bill with last-minute amendments in late May that would remove the residential solar ITC (25D), eliminate the phase-out periods for the ITC (48E) and PTC (45Y) and more. The Senate is back from a two-week recess on June 2 and will now take up the bill.

High tariffs initiated on solar cells and panels from Southeast Asia
Washington, D.C. 

The U.S. International Trade Commission made an affirmative determination in its antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigation concerning silicon solar cells and panels from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The Dept. of Commerce will issue its tariff orders on June 9 and CBP will begin collecting duties on June 16.

Commerce unveils low CVD rates in battery anode tariff case
Washington, D.C. 

The Dept. of Commerce released its preliminary countervailing duties (CVD) in the trade case involving battery anode material from China. The overall CVD rate was lower than expected, but the industry believes the preliminary antidumping rates that should be released in July could be more significant.