Maryland pushes solar power
13 Apr 2007 ANNAPOLIS, Md.
source:
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/51645.html
Legislation passed in Maryland will require 1,500 megawatts of solar energy in the state by 2022. Solar corporations BP Solar and Sun Edison have their headquarters in the state, which falls just behind New Jersey in state solar rankings, Renewable Energy Access reported. The bill also raises the net metering cap from 200 kilowatts to 2 megawatts.
“The way I look at it is, solar will be competing with the traditional electric providers in the not-too-distant future with this legislation,” said state Sen. Rob Garagiola. The amendment to Maryland’s renewable portfolio standard was passed Monday.
“If you think about population, this bill is really phenomenal. Maryland’s target is half of California’s but only has one-sixth the population, so that says a lot about how significant the program is,” said J.P. Ross, policy director for the Vote Solar Initiative. Gov. Martin O’Malley is expected to sign the legislation sometime during the next several weeks. Starting in 2008, a fraction of a percent of the state’s electricity supply will be required to be generated from solar. The percentage will increase incrementally each year until reaching 2 percent by 2022.
In order to meet the current RPS, Maryland imports much of its renewable energy credits from outside of the state; the new legislation will help increase solar energy production within the state.
Copyright 2007 by UPI