- Maryland state legislature has approved the Senate Bill 783, the Brighter Tomorrow Act
- It brings in supportive policy and incentive structure to boost solar installations in the state
- It is also aimed at making rooftop solar adoption affordable for low- and moderate-income Marylanders
The Maryland General Assembly in the US has provided its seal of approval to the solar friendly Senate Bill 783, the Brighter Tomorrow Act, sending it to Governor Wes Moore’s desk to become a law. The State of Maryland targets to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035.
According to the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association (CHESSA), the Senate Bill 783, the Brighter Tomorrow Act will bring in the following changes:
- Make it easier for electric suppliers to meet their solar targets by increasing the compliance value for energy generated from certain types of new solar projects, including residential and commercial-scale projects, in the state’s RPS. It will also spur the increased development of various types of local solar;
- Increase energy equity in Maryland by creating a residential solar grant program, administered by the Maryland Energy Administration. It will enable low-and-moderate income households receive as much as $7,500 for adopting solar; and
- Facilitating the adoption of automated, digital solar permitting software for Maryland local governments. It is aimed at improving local government efficiency, lowering solar installation costs, and setting up Maryland communities to help more and more families adopt solar for themselves.
The bill directs Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to establish a Small Solar Energy Generating Incentive Program. It must begin determining the eligibility of solar projects to be certified by January 1, 2025.
CHESSA says Maryland aims to deploy solar that equals 14.5% of its electricity demand by 2030, but it has managed to meet only 55% of the policy’s intermediate 2022 target. CHESSA Executive Director Robin Dutta believes this bill will now boost solar installations across the state. He calls it one of the most consequential solar bills to pass in years.
“The Brighter Tomorrow Act (BTA) will increase clean energy adoption in Maryland while making rooftop solar adoption more affordable for low-and moderate-income Marylanders,” said President of the Maryland Rooftop Solar Coalition (MRSC), Ed Merrick. “Rooftop solar is an economic, public health, and clean energy driver in the state, and BTA will ensure that more of it is installed in Maryland.”
