On April 8, 2024, the Maryland General Assembly passed Senate Bill 783, the Brighter Tomorrow Act, legislation that would lower the cost of developing solar projects in Maryland and increase the value of solar energy to energy consumers across the state. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for signature.
The Brighter Tomorrow Act is needed to encourage the development of additional solar energy in Maryland as part of the transition to a clean economy and to strengthen the electric grid for all communities. The state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) had already established a nationally leading mandate to deploy solar energy equal to 14.5% of Maryland’s electricity demand by 2030. Maryland has fallen behind the pace to reach that goal, meeting only 55% of the policy’s interim 2022 requirement. goal.
As passed by the General Assembly, the key provisions of the Brighter Tomorrow Act would:
- Make it easier for electric providers to achieve their solar energy goals by increasing the compliance value for energy generated from certain types of new solar projects, including residential and commercial-scale projects, in the state’s RPS, while also encouraging the increased development of different types of local projects. solar;
- Increase energy equity in Maryland by establishing a residential solar subsidy program, administered by the Maryland Energy Administration, under which low- and moderate-income households could receive as much as $7,500 for adopting solar energy; And
- Facilitating the adoption of automated, digital solar permitting software for local governments in Maryland, which will improve local government efficiency, reduce solar installation costs, and build Maryland communities to helping more and more families adopt solar energy for themselves.
“The Moore Administration’s pledge to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035 is more achievable with the Brighter Tomorrow Act. A thriving solar industry is an important part of creating a clean energy economy for all. Mainstream adoption of local solar and battery storage unlocks the lowest-cost path to a clean energy future. This is one of the most consequential solar bills in years and will spur an expansion of Maryland’s solar workforce.” said Robin Dutta, executive director of the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association (CHESSA).
“The Brighter Tomorrow Act demonstrates Maryland’s commitment to clean energy by creating innovative new avenues for solar energy development in priority locations. It is the result of the tireless work of the Solar Task Force, and I am proud of this deep collaboration,” said District 30 Senator Sarah Elfreth, the lead sponsor of SB783, the Brighter Tomorrow Act, which authorizes the bill creating the Solar Task Force sponsored. Task force in 2023.
District 15 Rep. David Fraser-Hidalgo, who sponsored the House bill on the Brighter Tomorrow Act and also served on the Solar Task Force, said, “The Brighter Tomorrow Act was a direct result of the Task Force to Enhance Solar Incentives. study, and more than Over the course of the legislative process, it grew into four separate bills to encourage solar energy development in Maryland. One of my other bills, which promotes the SolarAPP+ tool, has been added to the bill and will help streamline the residential solar permitting process. I found it incredibly exciting to work on this project and am even more proud that it is over.”
News release from the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association
