Energy (Solar)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 345: Public Utilities - Solar Energy Generating Systems and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (Affordable Solar Act)

HB 345, the "Affordable Solar Act," creates new rules for solar energy systems in Maryland. It allows homeowners to install portable solar systems (max 1,200 watts) without utility approval or fees, while establishing two new credit types: SRECs for smaller residential systems and SREC-IIs for larger distributed or utility-scale projects (over 5MW). The bill requires utilities to procure specific SREC-II credits and redirects certain fees into new escrow accounts instead of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund. These changes directly affect residential solar users, utilities, and solar developers by altering renewable energy compliance standards and financial mechanisms.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill removes barriers for residential solar, creates SREC credits, mandates utility procurement of SREC-IIs, and redirects fees to support renewable energy infrastructure, directly advancing solar adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 341: Public Utilities – Solar Energy Generating Systems and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (Affordable Solar Act)

SB 341 establishes new definitions for small portable solar systems (max 1,200 watts, plug-in devices for residential use) and creates two types of solar energy credits: SRECs for smaller systems and SREC-II for larger installations. It requires electric companies to procure a specific number of SREC-II credits from qualifying solar projects and mandates that certain compliance fees be deposited into an escrow account instead of the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. Homeowners using portable solar systems cannot have utility approval requirements or fees for grid connection, but these systems do not count toward renewable energy goals. Municipal utilities and electric cooperatives gain flexibility in meeting solar requirements under the new framework.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates utilities to procure SREC-II credits from solar projects, creating market demand and directing fees to solar-specific escrow instead of general fund.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates utility procurement of solar credits (SREC-II), creates incentives for solar projects, and expands residential solar access - directly promoting clean energy adoption per environmental indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Renewable Energy Solar

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 39: Net Energy Metering - Portable Solar Electric Generating Facilities

HB 39 expands Maryland's net energy metering program to include portable solar electric generating facilities. It defines portable solar as systems under 30 kilowatts connected via standard 120-volt outlets, intended to offset a customer's own electricity use. The bill requires utilities to provide two-way meters and prohibits additional fees for customers using portable solar, while capping total program capacity at 3,000 megawatts statewide. This change directly affects homeowners and businesses using portable solar setups (e.g., for RVs or temporary installations) by allowing them to receive credit for excess power fed back to the grid.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands net metering for portable solar systems, prohibits fees for users, and promotes renewable energy adoption through consumer incentives within program caps.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 344: Property Tax - Agricultural Use Assessment - Community Solar Energy Generating Systems

SB 344 extends the deadline for community solar energy systems to receive Public Service Commission approval, allowing land used by these systems to qualify for agricultural property tax assessment. Specifically, it changes the requirement from approval "on or before December 31, 2025" to "on or before December 31, 2030" for systems placed in service after June 30, 2022. This directly affects community solar developers and landowners seeking agricultural tax treatment for solar installations. The bill amends Maryland's property tax code to maintain eligibility for agricultural assessment without altering the core criteria for qualifying land use. The change takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to all taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends agricultural tax assessment for solar systems, providing property tax relief to developers/landowners by lowering their tax burden.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends deadline for community solar systems to qualify for agricultural tax assessment, directly promoting renewable energy development and infrastructure expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Solar Utility Regulation

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 14, 2026

HB 734: Property Tax - Agricultural Use Assessment - Community Solar Energy Generating Systems

HB 734 extends the deadline for community solar energy systems to qualify for agricultural property tax assessment from 2025 to December 31, 2030. It applies to systems placed in service after June 30, 2022, and approved by the Public Service Commission by the new deadline. The bill ensures land used for qualifying community solar projects is assessed as actively farmed agricultural land, allowing property owners to receive lower tax rates. This directly affects landowners operating community solar systems that meet these criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends agricultural tax assessment for solar projects, lowering property taxes for qualifying landowners by maintaining reduced tax rates under agricultural classification.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends tax incentives for community solar projects, lowering costs for developers and promoting renewable energy adoption through agricultural tax assessment benefits.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends tax incentives for community solar projects, promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill's focus on qualifying solar systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Solar Utility Regulation

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 265: Community Solar Energy Generating Systems - Prohibited Locations - Adjacent Parcels

SB 265 modifies Maryland's rules for siting community solar energy systems by removing a restriction that previously prohibited multiple systems on adjacent parcels if their combined capacity exceeded 5 megawatts. The bill replaces this with a new 10-megawatt limit for adjacent parcels, but only if at least 75% of the system's capacity serves low- or moderate-income subscribers (LMI) or projects use agrivoltaics (combining solar with agriculture). This change directly affects community solar developers, utilities, and LMI subscribers by expanding where solar projects can be located while prioritizing access for underserved communities. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRemoves 5MW cap for adjacent community solar parcels (10MW limit) with LMI/agri conditions, advancing renewable energy infrastructure development and equitable access.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves capacity restrictions for community solar with LMI/agrivoltaics requirements, directly advancing clean energy deployment and renewable infrastructure expansion.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 75% solar capacity to serve LMI households, directly linking energy access to affordable housing affordability through reduced utility costs for low-income residents.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 112: Property Tax - Agricultural Use Assessment - Community Solar Energy Generating Systems

HB 112 extends the deadline for community solar energy systems to receive Public Service Commission approval from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2030, to qualify for agricultural property tax assessment. It specifically clarifies that land used for "agrivoltaics" (solar systems combined with farming) must be assessed as actively farmland under Maryland’s agricultural tax program. This change directly affects community solar developers and landowners with qualifying solar installations seeking lower agricultural tax rates. The bill takes effect June 1, 2026, applying to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends agricultural tax assessment eligibility for solar-farming land, providing tax relief to qualifying landowners and developers under Maryland's property tax program.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExtends deadline for community solar tax benefits and clarifies agrivoltaics eligibility under agricultural assessment, directly advancing renewable energy development and infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends tax incentives for community solar (agrivoltaics), promoting clean energy adoption and renewable infrastructure under agricultural assessment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Solar Utility Regulation

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