Annapolis – Businesses gathered today to show their support for pending legislation in the Maryland General Assembly that would increase Maryland’s use of solar power. They were joined by key legislators and O’Malley administration staff.
“Growth in the solar industry is one of the biggest success stories we have in today’s economy,” said Environment Maryland State Director Brad Heavner. “As federal stimulus money dries up, we need to make sure market mechanisms are in place to keep these companies thriving so they can continue hiring people and reducing pollution year after year.”
“Maryland continues to lead by example through clean energy programs and incentives for all sectors, and today’s solar energy advancements are yet another tangible step towards the realization of our Renewable Portfolio Standard goal of 20% renewable energy by 2022,” remarked Governor Martin O'Malley. “I especially encourage all public entities to join with us today to go green and get clean energy systems on our public buildings statewide through Project Sunburst.”
“These proposals are good for Maryland and good for the solar industry,” said Ken Stadlin, Founder of K-energy Solar in Anne Arundel County. “We hope to be able to add more jobs as a result of these efforts.”
Three separate policies to expand solar power in Maryland have been introduced:
- Gov. O’Malley is proposing to accelerate the state’s solar energy standard that requires a certain percentage of our electricity to come from solar power (SB 277/HB 471). The hearings on that bill are today in both the House and Senate.
- Sen. Mac Middleton and Del. Sue Hecht have introduced legislation to create Clean Energy Loan Programs (SB 720/HB 1014). These programs would allow people to pay back loans at very low interest over long periods of time, making solar power affordable to the average homeowner or small business.
- Sen. Paul Pinsky and Del. Sue Hecht (SB 355/HB 701) and Del. Brian McHale (HB 801) have proposed legislation requiring utilities to pay customers for excess power that they generate from solar panels or other on-site facilities. The current “net metering” law allows ratepayers to carry a credit from month to month, but if there is an excess at the end of the year it becomes free power for the utilities. These bills would require utilities to send checks to ratepayers with excess power.
In addition, the O'Malley administration announced today that it will spend $8 million in federal stimulus funding for solar power on public buildings.
“We not only need to remove any obstacles to expanding solar energy, we need to provide incentives to encourage its use,” stated Sen. Paul G. Pinsky. “Solar energy can help reduce residential energy costs and fight climate change while creating new, green jobs.”
“Energy from the sun in Maryland is abundant and free,” said Del. C. Sue Hecht. “We can harness solar power through smart renewables policies.”
Maryland is home to one of the world’s largest solar manufacturing plants, BP Solar, but few of those solar panels are installed in Maryland. Business leaders emphasized how more demand for installations would create more local jobs.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to start what I hope will be a long career in the solar energy business,” said Amanda Braeuniger, a residential installer at Gaithersburg-based Standard Solar who was previously unemployed.
“The thought of losing the momentum that we in Maryland have built with the help of state and other incentives is troubling. Why give up on what we’re achieving not just energy-wise but with new jobs like mine that are putting people back to work?”
“It is important for Maryland to take a leadership role in green job creation in the region,” said Ellen McBarnett of Urban Solar Solutions. “The investment we make in solar energy today will result in new green jobs tomorrow.”
“Progressive energy policies are important for our business and have an excellent jobs multiplier effect,” said Michael Hindle of Brennan & Company Architects. “As clients come to us to design green homes, we hire new designers and recommend solar companies in the area to perform evaluations and installations. With good energy policy and good design we can save our environment and generate remarkable savings for our clients while creating local, well-paying jobs with excellent prospects for future growth.”
