Maryland Solar Incentives
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STATE: Maryland
NAME: Solar Easements & Rights Laws
CATEGORY: Regulatory Policy
TYPE: Solar/Wind Access Policy
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD01R
STATE: Maryland
NAME: State Agency Loan Program
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Loan Program
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
SOURCE: Oil Overcharge Restitution Trust funds, RGGI, ARRA
CODE: MD08F
DETAILS:
Loan Term – 0% interest; 1% administrative fee
BUDGET: FY 2014: $1.7 million
WEBSITE: http://energy.maryland.gov/Govt/stateLoan.html
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Local Option – Property Tax Credit for Renewables and Energy Conservation Devices
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Property Tax Incentive
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD03F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – Varies by jurisdiction; credit may be available for up to 3 years.
Maximum Incentive – Varies by jurisdiction.
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Net Metering
CATEGORY: Regulatory Policy
TYPE: Net Metering
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD03R
DETAILS:
Applicable Utilities – All utilities
System Capacity Limit – 2 MW (30 kW for micro-CHP); also limited to that needed to meet 200% of baseline customer electricity usage
Aggregate Capacity Limit – 1,500 MW (~8% of peak demand)
Net Excess Generation – Credited to customer’s next bill at retail rate; reconciled annually in April at the commodity energy supply rate
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits – Customer owns RECs
Meter Aggregation – Allowed for agricultural customers, non-profit organizations, and municipal governments or their affiliates
WEBSITE: http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/Intranet/CaseNum/submit_new.cfm?DirPath=\ColdfusionEWorkingGroupsinterconnection%20for%20Net%20Metering&CaseN=Interconnection%20for%20Net%20Metering
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Montgomery County – Green Power Purchasing
CATEGORY: Regulatory Policy
TYPE: Green Power Purchasing
SECTOR: Local
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD08R
DETAILS:
Renewables % or Amount – 25% (2012)
Source – Wind
WEBSITE: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/dep/energy/energyL2.asp#renewable
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Clean Energy Procurement
CATEGORY: Regulatory Policy
TYPE: Green Power Purchasing
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD07R
DETAILS:
Renewables % or Amount – 20%
Source – Wind, solar
WEBSITE: http://www.dgs.maryland.gov/energy/index.html
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Interconnection Standards
CATEGORY: Regulatory Policy
TYPE: Interconnection
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD06R
DETAILS:
Applicable Utilities – All utilities
System Capacity Limit – 10 MW
Standard Agreement – Yes
Insurance Requirements – Vary by system size and/or type; levels established by PSC
External Disconnect Switch – Required
Net Metering Required – No
WEBSITE: http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/intranet/electricinfo/home_new.cfm
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Residential Clean Energy Grant Program
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Rebate Program
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
SOURCE: Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF)
CODE: MD14F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – PV: $1,000 (flat per installation/household incentive)
SWH: $500 (flat per installation/household incentive)
GHC: $3,000 per project
Maximum Incentive – PV: $1,000 (flat per installation/household incentive)
SWH: $500 (flat per installation/household incentive)
GHC: $3,000 per project
Eligible System Size – PV: up to 20 kW
SWH: 10-100 square feet
GHC: 1-10 tons
Equipment Requirements – All equipments must be new;PV: Systems must meet applicable UL, IEEE, and NEC standards;
SWH: Must be SRCC OG-100 certified;
GHC: Must meet ENERGY STAR standard
Installation Requirements – Installer NABCEP certification will be required for PV projects
Property must be primary Maryland residence
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits – Remains with project owner
Must apply for certification as a qualifying generation from Maryland PSC to produce Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC)
WEBSITE: http://www.energy.state.md.us/Residential/cleanenergygrants/index.html
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard
CATEGORY: Regulatory Policy
TYPE: Renewables Portfolio Standard
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD05R
DETAILS:
Standard – 20% by 2022
Technology Minimum – Solar: 2% by 2020
Offshore Wind: TBD, 2.5% maximum beginning in 2017
Compliance Multipliers – Expired
REC Lifetime – 3 years
Credit Trading/Tracking System – Yes (PJM-GATS)
Alternative Compliance Payment – For 2015
Tier 1 (Non-Solar): $40/MWh
Tier 1 Solar: $350/MWh
Tier 2: $15/MWh
IPL Tier 1: $2.50/MWh
WEBSITE: http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/intranet/ElectricInfo/home_new.cfm
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Clean Energy Production Tax Credit (Corporate)
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Corporate Tax Credit
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD16F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – $0.0085/kWh ($0.005/kWh for co-fired electricity)
Maximum Incentive – $2.5 million (total credits allowed during five-year period)
Eligible System Size – No specific system size restrictions; however, the initial credit certificate minimum is $1,000
Carryover Provisions – Credits are refundable
WEBSITE: http://energy.maryland.gov/Business/CleanEnergyTaxCredit.html
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Clean Energy Production Tax Credit (Personal)
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Personal Tax Credit
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD17F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – $0.0085/kWh ($0.005/kWh for co-fired electricity)
Maximum Incentive – $2.5 million (total credits allowed during five-year period)
Eligible System Size – No specific system size restrictions; however, the initial credit certificate minimum is $1,000
Carryover Provisions – Credits are refundable
WEBSITE: http://energy.maryland.gov/Business/CleanEnergyTaxCredit.html
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Energy Conservation in State Buildings
CATEGORY: Regulatory Policy
TYPE: Energy Standards for Public Buildings
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD12R
WEBSITE: http://energy.maryland.gov/Govt/stateBuildAct.html
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Local Option – Property Tax Credit for High Performance Buildings
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Property Tax Incentive
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD19F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – Varies
Maximum Incentive – Varies
Eligible System Size – Specifically requires LEED Silver rating (all structures) or NGBS Silver rating (residential only), but other comparable systems or state approved green building guidelines are permitted
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Property Tax Exemption for Solar and Wind Energy Systems
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Property Tax Incentive
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD20F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – 100% real property tax exemption for solar and wind energy property
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Harford County – Property Tax Credit for Solar and Geothermal Devices
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Property Tax Incentive
SECTOR: Local
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD24F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – 100% of total real property taxes on the host structure for one year
Maximum Incentive – $2,500 per device; $5,000 per property per fiscal year
Equipment Requirements – Devices must meet safety and performance standards set by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
WEBSITE: http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/Downloads.cfm?FormID=969
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Anne Arundel County – Solar and Geothermal Equipment Property Tax Credits
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Property Tax Incentive
SECTOR: Local
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD26F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – 50% of the cost of materials and installation less any federal and state grants and state solar energy tax credits
Maximum Incentive – $2,500
WEBSITE: http://www.aacounty.org/Finance/Forms.cfm
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Equipment
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Sales Tax Incentive
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD27F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – 100% exemption
Maximum Incentive – None
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Prince George’s County – Solar and Geothermal Residential Property Tax Credit
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Property Tax Incentive
SECTOR: Local
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD28F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – 50% of eligible costs
Maximum Incentive – Space Heating: $5,000
Water Heating: $1,500
Solar Electric (PV): Not specified
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Montgomery County – High Performance Building Property Tax Credit
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Property Tax Incentive
SECTOR: Local
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD34F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – 10% to 75% credit from property taxes owed on building for 3-5 years; varies by building type and building rating
Maximum Incentive – Total: $5 million per fiscal year limit for all buildings
Silver rating: $1.5 million per fiscal year
Gold rating: $2.5 million per fiscal year
Eligible System Size – Building must meet minimum LEED standards (CS, NC, or EB) or equivalent to qualify
WEBSITE: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/finance/countytaxes_individualtaxes.asp
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Howard County – High Performance and Green Building Property Tax Credit
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Property Tax Incentive
SECTOR: Local
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD39F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – High Performance Buildings (except R-2, R-3 buildings): credit of 10% to 75% of taxes owed for 3 to 5 years; varies by building type and building rating
High Performance R-2, R-3 Buildings: credit of 19% to 100% of taxes owed for 4 years; varies by building rating and declines for each year claimed (i.e., the Year 2 % is less than Year 1)
Green Buildings (w/energy conservation devices): credit of 14% – 20% of cost of device for 3 years; varies by building rating
Maximum Incentive – High Performance Buildings (except R-2, R-3 buildings): none specified
High Performance R-2, R-3 Buildings: $5,000 per building or owner-occupied unit
Green Buildings (w/energy conservation devices): limited to assessed property taxes on the structure
Equipment Requirements – High Performance Buildings: Building must meet minimum LEED Silver (2009 CS, EB, or LEED for Homes); NGBC Silver or equivalent standard allowed if adopted by the director of inspections, licenses and permits
Green Buildings (w/energy conservation devices): Buildings must be LEED certified at a minimum.
WEBSITE: http://countyofhowardmd.us/Departments.aspx?ID=1465#anch71808
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Commercial Clean Energy Grant Program
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Rebate Program
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
SOURCE: Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF)
CODE: MD47F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – PV: $30-$60/kW (varies by capacity)
SWH: $10-$20/square foot (varies by total panel area)
Geothermal Heating and Cooling: $90-$180/ ton
Maximum Incentive – PV: $6,000
SWH: $5,000
Eligible System Size – PV: 1 – 200 kW
SWH: 50 – 1,200 square feet
Equipment Requirements – All equipment must be new
PV: systems must be grid-tied and meet all applicable UL, IEEE, and NEC standards, and be in compliance with the state net metering law;
SHW: collectors must be SRCC OG-100 certified
GHC: Must meet ENERGY STAR standards and must displace electric or non-natural gas heating
Installation Requirements – Installer NABCEP certification will be required for PV systems
Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits – Remains with project owner
WEBSITE: http://energy.maryland.gov/Business/cleanenergygrants/index.html
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Baltimore County – Property Tax Credit for High Performance Buildings and Homes
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Property Tax Incentive
SECTOR: Local
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD62F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – Commercial: 10% – 80% of county real property taxes assessed for 3 – 5 years
Homes (LEED or NGBS): 40% – 100% of county real property taxes assessed for 3 – 5 years
Homes (Energy Improvements): varies, equal to the % of energy efficiency improvement over a baseline of existing home or the energy code for new homes
Maximum Incentive – No limits for individual buildings but total credits issued are limited as follows:
Commercial: $5 million total in aggregate
Homes: $1 million in aggregate in any fiscal year
Equipment Requirements – Commercial: Minimum Silver certification under LEED-NC, LEED-CS, or LEED-EB
Homes: Minimum Silver certification under LEED for Homes or NGBS, or minimum energy savings of 30% compared to baseline
WEBSITE: http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/executive/sustainability/residents.html
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Carroll County – Green Building Property Tax Credit
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Property Tax Incentive
SECTOR: Local
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD65F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – 25% to 75% property tax credit for 5 years; tax credit level varies by certification rating
Maximum Incentive – None specified
Equipment Requirements – Building must be certified at LEED Silver or higher; two Green Globes or higher under the Green Globes rating system; or a county recognized equivalent program
WEBSITE: http://www.carrollbiz.org/businessassistance/financing.php
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Anne Arundel County – High Performance Dwelling Property Tax Credit
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Property Tax Incentive
SECTOR: Local
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD71F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – LEED or NGBS Silver: 40% of property taxes for 5 years
LEED or NGBS Gold: 60% of real property taxes for 5 years
LEED Platinum or NGBS Emerald: 80% of real property taxes for 5 years
Maximum Incentive – LEED or NGBS Silver: $1,000
LEED or NGBS Gold: $2,000
LEED Platinum or NGBS Emerald: $3,000
Equipment Requirements – Dwellings must meet or exceed LEED or NGBS Silver standards in order to qualify
WEBSITE: http://www.aacounty.org/Finance/Forms.cfm
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Residential Solar and Wind Electricity Sales
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Sales Tax Incentive
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD73F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – 100% exemption from sales and use tax
Maximum Incentive – None
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Baltimore County – Property Tax Credit for Solar and Geothermal Devices
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Property Tax Incentive
SECTOR: Local
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD79F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – Allocated budget for these credits has been met. New applications will be placed on a wait list that extends to at least July 2024.
50% of eligible costs
Maximum Incentive – Heating System: $5,000
Hot Water Supply System: $1,500
Electricity Generation: $5,000
Cooling: $5,000
Equipment Requirements – Systems must meets national safety and performance standards set by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for that type of device
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Permits and Variances for Solar Panels, Calculation of Impervious Cover
CATEGORY: Regulatory Policy
TYPE: Solar/Wind Permitting Standards
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD17R
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Game Changer Competitive Grant Program
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Grant Program
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
SOURCE: Strategic Energy Investment Fund
CODE: MD86F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – Varies from $50,000 to $250,000 covering up to 30% of the project cost
Maximum Incentive – $250,000 per project
Installation Requirements – Must result in additional renewable energy capacity in the State of Maryland
Must show that the project can be completed by December 1, 2015
BUDGET: $1 million
WEBSITE: http://energy.maryland.gov/Business/gamechanger/index.html
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Parking Lot Solar PV with EV Charger Grant Program
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Grant Program
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD89F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – Up to $500 per kW of PV installed per project
Maximum Incentive – $250,000 per project
Equipment Requirements – Must install at least 75kW of solar PV panels on a canopy structure over parking lot
Must include at least 4 qualified Level II or Level III EV chargers
PV system must be in compliance with UL 1741 and UL 1703
Installation Requirements – Must include minimum of 4 electric vehicle chargers
BUDGET: $2 million (FY 2015)
WEBSITE: http://energy.maryland.gov/Commercial/PVEVProgram.htm?utm_source=12%2F2+Weekly+Email&utm_campaign=12%2F2+weekly+email&utm_medium=email
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Mathias Agricultural Energy Efficiency Grant program
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Grant Program
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD91F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – 50% of the project costs after all other incentives and grants has been applied;
Minimum grant amount of $15,000 (without applying other available incentives)
Maximum Incentive – $60,000
Equipment Requirements – Total project cost should at least be $30,000
Installation Requirements – Renewable energy projects should be installed and operated in compliance of local and county codes, and must beet NEC standards
Solar PV must be UL 1741, UL1703 certified
Solar PV must be net metered
BUDGET: $550,000 (FY 2015 budget)
WEBSITE: http://energy.maryland.gov/Business/MathiasAg14.htm
STATE: Maryland
NAME: Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs)
CATEGORY: Financial Incentive
TYPE: Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
SECTOR: State
TECHNOLOGY: Solar Photovoltaics,
CODE: MD92F
DETAILS:
Incentive Amount – Varies based on market conditions; as of Sep 2014 Maryland-sourced SRECs traded at average at $141.30/MWh ($0.14/kWh) during 2014 based on data reported by PJM-GATS
Maximum Incentive – Theoretical maximum of $400/MWh (the 2012 Solar Alternative Compliance Payment, or SACP) or $0.40/kWh for SRECs used for compliance under the MD RPS*
Eligible System Size – No specific size limit; but systems generally must be connected to the distribution system serving the state in order to qualify; residential solar water heating systems are limited to producing 5 SRECs annually
Duration – SREC is valid for 3 years after it is generated
Installation Requirements – Solar water heating facilities may not be used for the solar purpose of heating a pool or hot tub and must use SRCC OG-100 certified collectors
WEBSITE: http://webapp.psc.state.md.us/intranet/ElectricInfo/home_new.cfm
