Made-in-America Requirements for Solar Energy Projects

Download

PURPOSE OF THIS ACT

Requiring made-in-America solar panels for any public utility project approved after July 1, 2025, and requiring made-in-America solar panels for any solar project constructed by the state or a political subdivision thereof or constructed by an individual or corporation as part of a renewable energy project using grants or loans from the state or any political subdivision thereof.

Section 1. Definitions.

For the purpose of this act, the following definitions are established:

1. “Public utility project” means any electric power generation facility built by a public, municipal, or private utility for connection to the power grid and requiring the issuance of any permit by the state or a political subdivision of the state for its construction or operation.
2. “Renewable energy project” means any solar-powered electric power generation project built for individual, farm, corporate, or non-profit use and not connected to the power grid for electrical distribution.

Section 2. Made-in-America Requirement.

1. Any public utility project that subsidizes or otherwise incentivizes solar power in this state shall receive approval for development, construction, and operation from any relevant state agencies or local zoning boards only if that project specifies that it will use solar panels made in the United States.
2. To be eligible for any state or local grants, loans, or funds, a renewable energy project may use only solar panels composed of components made in the United States and assembled in the United States.
3. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring any agency, zoning board, or commission to create additional permits, nor does it expand the scope of any current regulatory power beyond the requirement that an applicant for a permit, grant, or loan certify that the project exclusively uses solar panels made in the United States.

Section 3. Penalties.

1. A public utility project that violates this requirement shall be fined not less than $100,000 per violation, and the monies collected from the fines shall be deposited into the general fund of the state.
   
2. A renewable energy project that violates this requirement shall immediately repay the full amount of any grant, loan, or funds received to the issuing state or local government. In addition, the renewable energy project shall pay a penalty of 50 percent of the total grant, loan, or fund amount. The monies collected shall be deposited into the same account from which they were originally taken for distribution to the project.
   

Section 4. Effective date.

This act shall take full force and effect on July 1, 2025.