Bill > HB345

This bill, the Affordable Solar Act, makes several changes to Maryland's laws regarding solar energy and renewable energy standards. It permits the purchase and use of a "portable solar energy generating system," which is a movable solar device that plugs into a standard electrical outlet and can supply up to 1,200 watts of power, but it cannot be used to generate Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) or count towards the state's Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS). The bill also modifies the RPS by increasing the required percentage of renewable energy, particularly from solar sources, and introduces new programs for "qualifying distributed solar energy generating systems" (smaller solar projects) and "qualifying utility-scale solar energy generating systems" (larger solar projects) to generate "Solar Renewable Energy Credits II" (SREC-IIs). Importantly, it redirects certain alternative compliance fees, which are penalties paid by electricity suppliers who fail to meet renewable energy requirements, from the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund into a new escrow account established under § 7-1235 of the Public Utilities Article, ensuring these funds are used for future solar energy procurement. Additionally, the bill mandates that electric companies procure a specific number of SRECs and SREC-IIs through solicitations managed by the Public Service Commission, aiming to significantly increase solar energy generation capacity in the state. Finally, it allocates 75% of public service company franchise tax revenues from large electricity users to this new escrow account, further supporting solar energy initiatives.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0345?ys=2026RS