Maryland Takes Comments Through Nov. 10 on What Replaces Net Metering for New Solar Customers

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND — Talbot County homeowners and businesses thinking about rooftop solar have until Nov. 10 to tell state regulators what should replace Maryland's net energy metering program, the billing arrangement that credits customers for power their panels send back to the grid.

The Maryland Public Service Commission must approve, by Feb. 1, 2027, a framework for a successor net metering program that begins July 1, 2027, under the Utility RELIEF Act passed this year. The commission opened Public Conference 78 in May and set up a working group, led by Melanie Santiago-Mosier, to draft that framework by Oct. 27.

The commission's docket lists the working group leader's "Recommended Framework for Net Energy Metering," filed Oct. 27. A day later, Advanced Energy United filed a request for more time to file comments. The docket list does not show a ruling on that request.

The law sets some limits on what comes next. It says the General Assembly intends a program that provides incentives for distributed generation "that are less than the incentives provided by the net energy metering program" now in place. The new program must also minimize ratepayer costs and weigh the effects on customers who do not net meter, including low- and moderate-income customers. It stays open until combined capacity under the old and new programs reaches 6,000 megawatts. The commission must give priority to applicants who were already in their electric company's interconnection queue for the current program when the new one takes effect.

Written comments are due on or before Nov. 10. They must be filed through the commission's e-file system with "PC 78" in the subject line. After its 10 a.m. administrative meeting on Nov. 24, the commission will hold a virtual legislative-style hearing on the report and comments, where people who filed written comments by the deadline can make brief remarks. Those who want to speak must email kimberly.schock [at] maryland.gov by noon Friday, Nov. 20. The hearing will be livestreamed on the commission's YouTube channel.