The 36-Month Window: CA fast-tracks projects, ERCOT curtails big loads

Pull interconnection packs forward in California, harden ERCOT pro formas with backup/DR, and leverage India’s tax cut while navigating EU inverter scrutiny—plus SMR, hydrogen ferry, and new GA solar demand.

Author

Swarnav Pujari
September 09, 2025

Hi there,

This week’s brief maps a near-term build window, new grid rules, and fresh markets you can tap now.

🔦 Signals Worth Monitoring

🔨Headline: Newsom orders fast-tracking of CA projects at risk of losing IRA credits

What Happened: California EO tells agencies (incl. CPUC) to prioritize permitting/interconnection for “critical generation” and BESS to capture remaining federal incentives amid OBBB changes.

Why Founders Should Care: Community/utility-scale solar and storage may see expedited pathways the next 36 months.

🔨Headline: Texas SB 6 takes effect; ERCOT gains emergency curtail powers for huge loads

What Happened: New law lets ERCOT order ≥75 MW loads (crypto, data centers, industrial) to switch to backup or curtail during grid emergencies; includes fees, study requirements, and disclosure for new interconnections.

Why Founders Should Care: AI/data-center builders in ERCOT: model-enforced curtailment and study fees into pro formas; colocated generation + DR revenue becomes mandatory, not optional.

🔨Headline: India cuts GST on renewable components from 12% → 5% (effective Sept 22)

What Happened: India’s GST Council slashed taxes on solar/wind components; coal/lignite GST rises to 18%.

Why Founders Should Care: This GST cut slashes entry costs and boosts competitiveness, making India an even more attractive, high-growth market for expansion.

🔨Headline: Czech cybersecurity agency flags Chinese solar inverters as high-risk

What Happened: NÚKIB warned that Chinese inverters pose data-security risks; firms must account for this under the Czech Cybersecurity Act.

Why Founders Should Care: Expect ripple effects via EU procurement rules and U.S. counterparties. Build a compliance narrative (firmware, telemetry isolation) and diversify approved vendor lists.

🔨Headline: Sunnova assets sold; new owner consolidates residential solar ops

What Happened: PV-Tech confirms sale of Sunnova’s business and assets to Solaris Assets.

Why Founders Should Care: Expect dealer/installer reshuffles and asset servicing transitions—opportunity to roll-up O&M, re-originate PPAs/loans, and stabilize stranded customers.

🔨Headline: TVA signs framework for up to 6 GW of small modular reactors

What Happened: TVA advanced agreements to deploy NuScale SMRs via ENTRA1 Energy.

Why Founders Should Care: Tailwinds for nuclear and SMR tech continue to grow.

🔨Headline: NYC eyes hydrogen ferry operations

What Happened: New York is exploring a hydrogen-powered passenger ferry between NJ and NYC as part of maritime decarb pilots.

Why Founders Should Care: Maritime is a near-term “niche” with premium offtake and public co-funding—target port authorities and OEM retrofits.

🔨Headline: Georgia approves 1.1 GW of new utility-scale solar PPAs

What Happened: Georgia PSC approved five PPAs (1,068 MW) under Georgia Power’s CARES 2023 program; a CARES 2025 RFP targeting up to 2 GW solar/solar-plus-storage is also in motion.

Why Founders Should Care: C&I subscription demand is real—developers and integrators can underwrite with utility offtake while selling green attributes to enterprise buyers.

📌 RFP Bulletin

See all of the RFP’s we’ve discovered in calendar format or table view.

CEC EPIC GFO-24-312 — Advanced Grid Tech for Climate-Resilient Communities

Shell GameChanger — Sustainability Call for Solutions (2025)

  • 📅 Key Dates: Applications due November 4, 2025

  • 🎯 Focus Areas: Circularity/ecological cycles, industrial decarbonization, energy systems with clear path to PoC

  • 🗺️ Region: Global

  • 🔗 RFP Link: https://www.shell.com/sustainability/shell-sustainability-call-for-solutions.html

  • 🗒️ Our Notes: Non-dilutive PoC funding + Shell technical mentors. Submit a tight 10-slide pack and 3-minute video; up to three winners expected across tracks.

EnterpriseSG + Global Innovation Alliance — Call for Projects: Sustainable Cities

📝 Founder Briefing

California’s Executive Order N‑33‑25 to Fast‑Track Clean‑Energy Projects at Risk of Losing Federal Tax Credits

Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-33-25 directs California agencies—including the CPUC, CAISO, and CEC—to rapidly expedite permitting and interconnection processes for “critical” generation and BESS projects. The goal: ensure these projects can still qualify for expiring federal incentives under the IRA and BBB guidance.

Founders should expect an intense 24–36-month sprint, with the fastest near-term opportunities in commercially ready solar+storage and community solar (CREP) projects.

Agency Actions:

  • The EO mandates CPUC to identify “critical” generation and storage slated for COD within 36 months, and push utilities to prioritize their interconnection.

  • CAISO is directed to prioritize commercially ready resources that can connect to existing transmission infrastructure.

  • CEC and other agencies are to streamline siting and must report back within 90 days.

What This Means: If your project is permit-ready, cluster-positioned, and can demonstrate physical work, it will move to the front of the line. Community solar projects will get a new path via CREP, with stakeholders pushing for finalized rules by January 1, 2026—opening realistic on-ramps for 12–24 month build cycles that can meet the federal cutoff.

📒 Why Now Is The Window

  1. Prioritization: The state is clearing a lane for projects that can move immediately. CPUC will identify “critical” assets for fast-track interconnection

  2. Tight Federal Timelines: Solar and wind must be in service by December 31, 2027, or have started construction by July 4, 2026; most solar >1.5 MW now have to comply with the Physical Work Test.

  3. Community Solar Urgency: CPUC is under pressure from groups like CCSA to deploy CREP community solar+storage with fast 12–24-month cycle times, enabling projects to cross the federal finish line.

  4. Industry Messaging: Press coverage shows state agencies will triage and accelerate qualifying projects to maximize the state’s capture of remaining federal credits—use this narrative to reassure hosts, lenders, and AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction).

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