Maryland PSC finalizes community solar pilot program regulations

The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the final stipulations to create a statewide community solar garden pilot program on Wednesday that will target low- and moderate-income customers to make renewable energy more accessible and affordable.

The approved regulations will be posted on July 8 in the Maryland Register for a 10-day review period, after which the policies will become final.

The approved legislation was initiated through House Bill 1087 and passed in the 2015 Maryland General Assembly Session. Governor Larry Hogan signed the proposal and the final stipulations were determined by the PSC during its RM56 policymaking process.

“This pilot program will implement the General Assembly’s desire to increase access to solar electricity for all Maryland ratepayers, especially low and moderate income customers,” PSC Chairman W. Kevin Hughes said. “In addition, it will encourage private investment in Maryland’s solar industry and diversify the state’s energy resource mix to meet the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act goals.”

The new guidelines will direct the pilot program for the next three years, allowing Maryland customers to gain access to solar-generated electricity without infrastructure ownership. It will also incentivize utilities that offer affordable programs to low- and moderate-income households.

The program is also expected to attract new investments to Maryland’s green economy and will be used for data collection to determine the true impact of the program between 2016 and 2019.