New Rules Provide Structure for State’s Three-Year Pilot Program
Washington, D.C. (June 14, 2016) – The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) today issued the following statement on the Maryland Public Service Commission’s (PSC) adoption of regulations to enable the development of community solar projects in Maryland. This statement may be attributed to Jeff Cramer, executive director of CCSA.
“We applaud and thank the Maryland Public Service Commission for adopting regulations that will spur the development of clean, affordable renewable energy under the State’s new community solar initiative. The regulations approved by the Commission today will guide the State’s three-year community solar pilot project and increase Marylanders’ access to solar.
“CCSA is pleased to see that the Commission’s final approval preserved key aspects of the draft regulations that will ensure a successful pilot program. Preservation of the program size and subscriber credits at a full retail rate credit will ensure a sufficiently large and economically robust pilot. Additionally, the set aside for projects reaching low- and moderate-income participants will encourage development of projects that can benefit all of the State’s citizens.
“Community solar is a rapidly growing market in the United States with tremendous market potential. A recent National Renewable Energy Laboratory report foresees the market attracting up to $16 billion in investment to build up to 11 gigawatts of cumulative installed capacity by the end of 2020. Successful community solar models, like the one approved in Maryland, are already operating across the country creating productive partnerships between subscribers, developers, and utilities. We look forward to continuing to work with the Maryland Public Service Commission staff, utilities and other stakeholders to help develop community solar in the State.”
-###-
For information contact: Ben Finzel, 202-277-6286, ben@communitysolaraccess.org