Maryland to Require More Solar Energy Use

Maryland’s House of Delegates passed a bill last week requiring utilities to buy more of their power from solar energy sources.  The bill requires utilities to include 2% of their energy mix, sold to Maryland customers, from solar power by 2022.

The bill passed in both the House and Senate.  The two legislative branches must now agree on the penalties that utilities will pay if they do not meet the new requirements.

Del. Brian McHale, D-Baltimore City, said, “The measure would be good for the economy because it will help draw solar design and installation work to the state.  Some opponents had questioned whether the panels that would be used to fill the quota would be produced in Maryland.”

“This bill is a pro-jobs bill, because what we’re doing is we’re encouraging more solar energy to be utilized in Maryland,” McHale said.