Energy (Solar)

in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 966: Public Service Commission - Net Energy Metering - Successor Program

SB 966 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to develop a successor program for net energy metering (NEM) when the current program reaches 3,000 megawatts of combined customer-generator capacity. The new program must incentivize distributed renewable energy (like rooftop solar), minimize long-term costs for all ratepayers, and balance fair compensation for energy exported to the grid with grid benefits and energy equity concerns. The Commission must complete this program development by December 2026, including stakeholder input, and submit a report to the legislature. The successor program will operate until total NEM capacity (current + successor) reaches 6,000 megawatts. This directly affects residential and commercial solar/wind system owners (eligible customer-generators) and electric utilities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires successor program for net energy metering to incentivize distributed renewable energy (rooftop solar), minimize costs, and address energy equity - directly advancing renewable adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Utility Regulation

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 843: Net Energy Metering, SUNRISE Program, and Community Solar Energy Generating Systems Program (SUNRISE Act)

SB 843 establishes the SUNRISE Program as the replacement for Maryland’s net energy metering system, directly affecting low- and moderate-income households and community solar subscribers. It requires electric companies to implement the SUNRISE Program through specific tariffs, create a statewide capacity reservation system for solar projects, and guarantee electric bill savings for eligible households. The bill also mandates that community solar programs must meet specific low-income participation requirements and allows certain customers to opt out of enrollment. Administered by the Office of Home Energy Programs or local agencies, the law updates reporting requirements and ensures dedicated capacity blocks for qualifying households.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes SUNRISE Program replacing net metering, mandates solar tariffs, creates capacity reservation, guarantees bill savings for low-income households, and requires low-income participation in community solar - directly advancing renewab...95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes SUNRISE Program to expand community solar access, guaranteeing clean energy adoption and low-income participation in renewable energy systems, directly advancing environmental protection through clean energy promotion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 10, 2026

HB 990: Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program - Eligibility and Generating Capacity

HB 990 extends the deadline for solar energy systems to be placed in service from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2031, to qualify for Maryland's Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program. It also doubles the total in-state generating capacity cap for systems between 20 kilowatts and 5 megawatts - from 270 megawatts to 540 megawatts. This directly affects solar developers and property owners installing systems in this size range, particularly those on rooftops, parking canopies, brownfields, or industrial sites. The changes aim to support broader solar adoption by providing more time for installation and increasing available capacity under the program.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends solar incentive deadline and doubles capacity cap, directly expanding renewable energy program access for developers and property owners.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends solar deadline and doubles capacity cap (270→540MW), directly expanding clean energy incentives for rooftop/parking canopy solar systems, promoting renewable energy adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 669: Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program - Eligibility and Generating Capacity

SB 669 extends the deadline for solar energy systems to be placed in service to qualify for Maryland's Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program, changing the window from 2024-2028 to 2024-2031. It also doubles the statewide capacity cap for medium-sized systems (20 kilowatts to 5 megawatts) from 270 megawatts to 540 megawatts, specifically for systems installed on rooftops, parking canopies, brownfields, or industrial water sites. This bill directly affects residential, commercial, and community solar system owners seeking certification under the program, enabling more installations while maintaining eligibility rules for smaller systems under 20 kilowatts.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends solar incentive deadline and doubles capacity cap for rooftop/industrial solar, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and infrastructure expansion.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill doubles solar capacity cap (270MW→540MW) for rooftop/parking canopy systems, directly promoting clean energy adoption and expanding renewable infrastructure eligibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 683: Public Utilities - Solar Energy Generating Stations - Siting (Solar Siting and Preservation Credit Act of 2026)

This bill establishes a 5% acreage limit for solar energy projects in Maryland's certified "priority preservation areas" (agricultural lands). Counties can count solar projects on brownfields, school rooftops, or other underutilized land toward this 5% limit, allowing more development in these areas. It also restricts large solar projects (>5MW) from certain residential or growth zones and requires counties to report when the 5% cap is reached. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEnables solar development on brownfields/schools while restricting large projects in sensitive zones, promoting renewable energy infrastructure expansion within defined limits.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProtects agricultural land (priority preservation areas) while directing solar development to brownfields/schools, advancing clean energy without harming natural resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Conservation

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2026

HB 1607: Community Solar Energy Generating Systems - Prohibited Locations - Adjacent Parcels

HB 1607 removes a restriction preventing community solar projects from being placed on adjacent parcels if their combined capacity exceeded 5 megawatts. It allows such projects on adjacent land if the total capacity stays under 10 megawatts, provided at least 75% of the energy serves low- or moderate-income subscribers, or the site uses agrivoltaics (combining solar with agriculture). This directly affects community solar developers and property owners seeking to expand solar installations on connected properties. The bill maintains existing exceptions (like rooftop or industrial sites) while adding new conditions to support equitable access for underserved communities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRemoves capacity restrictions for community solar, expands access for low-income subscribers and agrivoltaics, directly advancing renewable energy development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves barrier to community solar expansion, enabling clean energy projects with environmental benefits (agrivoltaics, low-income access) under 10MW cap90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 706: Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard - Alterations

SB 706 reduces Maryland's mandatory renewable energy targets for electricity suppliers. It lowers the required percentage of Tier 1 renewable sources (like solar, offshore wind, and geothermal) from previous levels to 26% in 2027 (down from 41.5%), 27.5% in 2028 (from 43%), 34% in 2029 (from 49.5%), and 34.5% in 2030+ (from 50%). The bill also maintains a 2.5% requirement for Tier 2 renewable sources each year. These changes directly affect electricity suppliers who must meet these annual renewable energy quotas for retail electricity sales in Maryland. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, applying to compliance years after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill lowers mandatory renewable energy targets (e.g., 41.5%→26% by 2027), weakening clean energy standards per its summary.92% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill reduces mandatory renewable energy targets (e.g., 41.5% → 26% for Tier 1 by 2027), directly weakening clean energy requirements for electricity suppliers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Wind

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passed · Maryland · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 23: Green and Renewable Energy Efficiency for Nonprofits (GREEN) Loan Program and Fund - Establishment

This bill creates Maryland's GREEN Loan Program, providing no-interest loans to 501(c)(3) nonprofits for solar panels, energy-efficient building upgrades (like new windows or HVAC systems), and related planning. Nonprofits must contribute 10% of project costs, with priority given to those with annual budgets under $1 million. The program is funded through state budget appropriations and transfers from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, managed by the Maryland Clean Energy Center. Loans require repayment over time with deferred payment options, and must demonstrate long-term energy cost savings exceeding the loan's total cost.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunded via state budget appropriations for nonprofit energy projects, advancing fiscal support for green initiatives through public spending.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes no-interest loans for nonprofits to install solar panels and energy-efficient upgrades, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and efficiency through state-funded program.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates no-interest loans for nonprofits to adopt solar/energy efficiency, promoting clean energy and reducing emissions. Funded by state and Clean Energy Center.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 460: Solar Energy - Construction of Generating Stations in Priority Preservation Areas and Study

HB 460 limits solar energy generating station construction in Maryland's priority preservation areas (protected lands established before 2025) to 2% of the total acreage, down from a previous 5% cap. It requires counties to report when this 2% limit is reached and prohibits local zoning laws from blocking solar projects meeting specific criteria. The bill also mandates the Maryland Department of the Environment to study the environmental impact of disposing of solar panels at end-of-life and report findings by September 2027. This directly affects counties, developers, and landowners in priority preservation areas by restricting solar development space and creating new reporting requirements. The policy change aims to balance renewable energy growth with conservation of sensitive lands.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyReduces solar construction cap from 5% to 2% in protected areas, restricting renewable energy development despite allowing some projects.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces solar construction cap in protected lands from 5% to 2%, strengthening environmental protection of priority preservation areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Conservation

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 695: Green and Renewable Energy Efficiency for Nonprofits (GREEN) Loan Program and Fund - Establishment

HB 695 establishes the Green and Renewable Energy Efficiency for Nonprofits (GREEN) Loan Program to provide no-interest loans to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Maryland. The program, managed by the Maryland Clean Energy Center, funds the planning, purchase, and installation of qualifying renewable energy systems (like solar panels) and energy efficiency improvements (such as HVAC upgrades or window replacements). Eligible projects must support Maryland’s environmental and greenhouse gas reduction goals. The program is funded through a new special nonlapsing loan fund, with interest earnings reinvested into the fund.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes no-interest loans for nonprofits to install solar panels and energy efficiency upgrades, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds renewable energy systems and efficiency projects for nonprofits, directly advancing environmental protection and greenhouse gas reduction goals per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Solar Climate Change

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