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:
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."