Solar power in Maryland

Solar power in Maryland is supported by the state's legislation regarding the Renewable Portfolio Standard and Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program. The target for renewable energy as of 2017 is 20% by 2020, including 2% from solar power.[1][2]

Solar panels

According to the Maryland Energy Administration,[3] Maryland is exposed to approximately 5.3kWh per square meter of solar energy on a daily basis, and as of 2016, the state had 508 MW installed which ranks Maryland 11th in the nation for installed solar capacity.[4]

State and local incentives

Various tax credits are available for Maryland solar power system installations, as of January 2017 the vast majority of county property tax credits have expired, a full list of remaining tax credits is available from DSIRE.[5] The Maryland Energy Administration offers a $1000 grant for residential PV systems between 2 and 20 kW of DC power at STC and $500 for solar hot water (solar thermal).[6][7] Commercial installations are granted $60/kW (max. 100 kW) for solar panels and $20/square foot (max. 250 square feet) for solar thermal systems.[8]

Net metering
Main article: Net metering

Consumer net-metering and SRECs are available in the state of Maryland for owners of both solar PV systems and, as of the May 22, 2012 signing of S.B. 791, solar hot water systems. Solar hot water systems have a 5 SREC limit. The passage of H.B. 1187, also on May 22, 2012, accelerates the state's Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard with a target of 20% by 2020, of which 2% must be solar. Currently, there is no limit on the system size for a photovoltaic system.[9]

In the state of Maryland, one SREC is equal to one MWh of electricity production, and is redeemable for three years. As of January 2017, an SREC is valued at $18,[10] and if the RPS is not increased is expected to further decline as the solar/renewable energy further saturates the electricity supply.[9] In addition, solar thermal that is installed for recreational purposes, such as heating a swimming pool, is not eligible for incentives.[9]

Legislation
BillDate enactedSummary
S.B. 791/H.B. 1187May 22, 2012Accelerated renewable energy goals by 2 years.[11]
H.B. 258April 10, 2012Changed minimum 15-year contract for SREC sale between solar generator and energy supplier to apply to generators greater than 10 kW only.[9]
S.B. 717May 19, 2011Solar thermal systems installed after June 1, 2011 eligible for SREC generation.[7]

Economic impact

Maryland's goals for the Renewable Portfolio Standard have led to various monetary incentives, and have led to the expansion of local companies offering solar panel installation and services.[12] Additionally, Governor Martin O'Malley stated that he aims to add 100,000 local green jobs by 2015.[13] There are currently at least 183 companies in Maryland involved in installing, distributing, designing or selling solar systems.[4]

Impact on farmland

By 2016, citizens had raised concerns about plans to build solar farms on prime farmland in Washington County, and on the Eastern Shore, in Kent County and Talbot County.[14]

Installed capacity
Source: NREL[15]
Grid-Connected PV Capacity (MW)[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]
Year Capacity Installed % Change
20070.90.350%
20082.81.9211%
20097.54.7168%
201012.85.371%
201137.124.3190%
2012116.879.7215%
2013175.458.750%
20142053017%
201534914470%
2016645296
2017888243
20181011123
20191202.8191.8

A 5.5-MW solar farm near Hughesville generates enough power for 600 homes, and offsets the pollution of 1,600 cars. [25][26]

A 4.3 MW solar farm in Cambridge supplies about 40% of the power for the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and saves about 1,300 metric tons of carbon dioxide during the summer.[27][28]

Major solar companies in Maryland

Maryland has a diverse mix of both regional solar installers and most of the national installers. Many of the companies specialize in specific types of transactions such as large scale commercial projects or residential leased system. There are an estimated 183 companies in Maryland involved in solar.[4]

  1. Solar Energy World
  2. American Sentry Solar
  3. Standard Solar
  4. Direct Energy Solar
  5. Maryland State Solar
  6. Vivint
  7. Solarcity
  8. Trinity Solar

See also

References
  1. "Home - Maryland State Solar". Maryland State Solar. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
  2. "MEA - Solar". energy.maryland.gov. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
  3. Maryland Energy Administration
  4. "Maryland Solar". SEIA. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
  5. "DSIRE". programs.dsireusa.org. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
  6. "Residential Clean Energy Grant Program". MEA.
  7. "Benefits of Solar Energy | Solar Incentives". Solar Energy World. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  8. "Commercial Clean Energy Grant Program". MEA.
  9. "Maryland Solar Renewable Energy Certificates". DSIRE.
  10. Inc., SRECTrade. "SRECTrade | SREC Markets | Maryland | MD". www.srectrade.com. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
  11. "Chapter 115/House Bill 258" (PDF).
  12. "Find a Company | Maryland Clean Energy Center". Maryland Clean Energy Center. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  13. Hinrichs, Doug. "MEA- Solar Energy". MEA.
  14. Kobell, Rona (October 28, 2016). "Article: Solar energy runs into resistance in Maryland". Bay Journal. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  15. "PV Watts". NREL. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
  16. Sherwood, Larry (August 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2011" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  17. Sherwood, Larry (June 2011). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2010" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  18. Sherwood, Larry (July 2010). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2009" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-09-25. Retrieved 2010-07-28.
  19. Sherwood, Larry (July 2009). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2008" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  20. Sherwood, Larry (August 2008). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2007" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  21. Sherwood, Larry (July 2009). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2008" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  22. Sherwood, Larry (July 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2012" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 16. Retrieved 2013-10-11.
  23. Sherwood, Larry (July 2014). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2013" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved 2014-09-26.
  24. Maryland Solar
  25. Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (2014-04-30). "SMECO Announces Second Solar Project LexLeader". The Lexington Park Leader. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  26. Newman, Jeff (January 10, 2013). "Solar farm in Charles County gives SMECO new energy". Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  27. "National Aquarium | Solar Solutions, FTW!". National Aquarium. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  28. "National Aquarium, Constellation efforts yield major summer savings". OneEnergy Renewables. 2015-09-30. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
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