Bill > SB341

This bill, the Affordable Solar Act, makes several changes to Maryland's solar energy policies and renewable energy standards. It allows for the purchase and installation of "portable solar energy generating systems," which are defined as movable solar devices that connect to a building's electrical system via a standard outlet, are limited to 1,200 watts of power output, and are certified by a recognized testing laboratory; these systems are not eligible for renewable energy credits or for meeting the state's renewable energy portfolio standard. The bill also revises the renewable energy portfolio standard, which requires electricity suppliers to source a certain percentage of their energy from renewable sources, by increasing the required solar energy percentages for 2028 through 2030 and beyond, and specifically designates that solar energy derived from "qualifying distributed solar energy generating systems" and "qualifying utility-scale solar energy generating systems" (defined as solar photovoltaic systems of 5 megawatts or less and greater than 5 megawatts, respectively, that are certified to generate SREC-II credits) will only apply to the distribution sales of electric companies. Furthermore, it mandates that certain alternative compliance fees, paid when electricity suppliers fail to meet renewable energy requirements, will now be directed into a specific escrow account rather than the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund, and requires the Public Service Commission to solicit bids for a significant amount of new solar energy generating capacity, including both distributed and utility-scale projects, and to ensure electric companies procure a certain number of Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) and SREC-IIs. Finally, the bill includes provisions for the establishment of an escrow account for the secure transfer of revenues and SRECs, a surcharge to recover costs associated with SREC and SREC-II purchases, and allocates a portion of public service company franchise tax revenues from large electricity users to this escrow account.

Education

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0341?ys=2026RS