Incentives for community solar have been rapidly growing, especially in America’s Northeast. This includes Maryland, where legislators have finalized two bills supporting community solar. The effort is a part of a recent push to expand the state’s community solar pilot program. Maryland has been working to increase the program’s capacity and widen access to low and middle-income communities.
Two Bills Boosting Community Solar
HB 1039 and HB 440 are the two bills that have successfully passed.
HB1039 creates a property tax exemption for community solar projects, applying to both municipal corporate and county taxes. To qualify, projects must supply at least 50% of their generated electricity to low and middle-income families. Moreover, the rate at which this electricity is provided must be at least 20% lower than the base electricity rate such households would normally pay.
HB 440 increases the maximum capacity of community solar projects. Limits would rise from 2 MW to 5 MW, more than doubling the potential capacity of the state’s sites. The bill also simplifies land requirements for project sites.
The bills have been fully confirmed by Maryland’s General Assembly. They are now being passed to Governor Larry Hogan for the signature that will put this legislation into law. There is currently no estimated date of signing, but Maryland’s solar industry is eagerly awaiting news.
Growing Maryland’s Solar Energy Leads
Expanding the state’s community solar program is great news for contractors looking for new installation work. But it’s not enough for those who focus on residential solar. Those that are having a difficult time finding all of the rooftop solar customers they need can get support through Grid Freedom.
Pre-screened, fully exclusive leads are supplied to contractors with no binding contracts or minimums. Grid Freedom’s installer-friendly terms have made it a go-to source for companies that need solar energy leads in Maryland, as well as other states. Membership is free, and contractors can have full assurance knowing each lead is safe from competition.
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