|
Press Release: Solar Bill Signed! By Rick Peters
On Behalf of MDV-SEIA
MARYLAND GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL TO INCLUDE SOLAR
WATER HEATING IN ITS RENEWABLE ENERGY DIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS
Annapolis, MD - August, 2011.
Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley recently signed into law a bill that makes solar water heating systems eligible
to produce Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), making the proven technology more affordable to homeowners, businesses,
nonprofits, and government agencies.
Under the new provision, owners of solar water heating (SWH) systems will
now be able to sell the SRECs or "green attributes" of the energy they produce, just like solar photovoltaic (PV)
systems. The new law will reduce system owners' utility bills, improve the environment by reducing pollution from power
plants, diversify our energy supply, and create additional green jobs in Maryland. Several other states and the District
of Columbia already include solar water heating as a means to meet their renewable energy requirements.
"The
passage and signing of the solar hot water bill brings great opportunity to the solar industry and to the residents of Maryland,
" said Delegate Sally Jameson, D-Charles County, who sponsored the bill. "Jobs will be created while helping
to meet our energy needs and Maryland's solar requirements under the Renewable Portfolio Standard. It's a good thing
for families and it's a good thing for Maryland!"
Maryland utilities are required to buy an increasing
amount of SRECs to meet their requirements under the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard. Businesses and homeowners
with solar PV and solar water heaters generate SRECs that are sold to utilities, ultimately making solar technology more affordable.
Maryland taxpayers do not fund SRECs, but utilities pay for these through very small surcharges in electric rates. The
new law will substantially boost markets for solar water heating while creating much-needed jobs across the state.
The first patent for a device using solar energy to heat water was issued to a Baltimore inventor in 1891, and solar water
heating is used extensively across Europe and China.
"By including solar water heating in the RPS, Maryland
will increase access to this proven technology," remarked Maryland Senator Rob Garagiola, D-Montgomery Co., another bill
sponsor. "This law will help homeowners, small businesses, non-profits and government agencies alike finance solar
water heating systems and in turn allow many more Marylanders to participate in the benefits of solar energy."
Mike Healy, partner at Skyline Innovations and the head of MDV-SEIA's solar thermal division commented: "This
is an exciting time for the solar water heating industry. The Maryland legislation is already creating new solar installation
jobs among firms in our membership. We are very grateful to Maryland legislators for acting on this enormous opportunity."
Gov. O'Malley signed another solar energy bill into law, making changes to the state's "net metering" rules
allowing owners of photovoltaic systems to sell electricity back to their electric utility.
|
