Northeast Solar Super States – Maryland

Maryland is another state that relatively recently stepped up its solar energy policies and incentives.  Its aggressive initiatives have won Maryland notice on Home Power magazine’s list of Top Ten Solar States. 

Similar to New Jersey’s explicit goal for solar power, Maryland not only set a goal for its utilities to provide 7.5 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2019, but also in 2007, passed legislation that specifies that 2 percent must come from solar energy in addition to the already established 7.5 percent goal by 2022.   The intent is to have at least 1500 megawatts of solar capacity installed by 2022.

Maryland’s Solar Energy Grant Program enacted in 2005 offers property owner’s incentives to install solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.  Residents can obtain grants for 20 percent of the system cost (up to $2,000 for a solar thermal or $3,000 for a solar photovoltaic system).   The state also supports net metering for systems that are up to two megawatts in size.  Net excesses are carried over each month for a year; at the end of the 12-months any remaining net excess is zeroed out of the customer’s account balance.

Maryland State Senator Robert Garagiola who sponsored the successful 2007 solar energy legislation has pointed out that the resultant growth in solar energy is equivalent to the capacity of the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant, located along Chesapeake Bay.  Proponents have also boasted that the new legislation will allow Maryland to meet the state’s projected new energy needs through its expanded solar power infrastructure.

Maryland’s wholehearted embrace of policies to promote the future growth of renewable energy and energy efficiency demonstrates the power of leadership and vision.  We at Cooler Planet salute the “Free State.”