Maryland Renewable Energy Credits – Solar Water Heating Systems
The 428th session of the Maryland General Assembly ended Monday night and once again the Maryland Energy Administration led Governor O’Malley’s ambitious energy agenda with successful passage of six different administration energy bills. Another seven MEA-supported energy measures were also enacted. While we will have to try again next session to advance our offshore wind bill and several other important measures, our efforts have secured Maryland’s reputation as a national clean energy leader.
Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard – Maryland Renewable Energy Credits – Solar Water Heating Systems:
HB 933/SB 717: This bill establishes solar water heating systems as a Tier 1 renewable source eligible to meet the Tier 1 solar portion of Maryland’s renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS). An owner of a solar water heating system installed after June 1, 2011, may receive solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) equal to the amount of electricity saved by using a solar water heating system. Those credits may then be sold to meet Maryland’s RPS goal of 20% renewable generation by 2022 with in-state solar water heating credits.
Official Link: http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/billfile/sb0717.htm
What we need are tax credits for solar hot water, not energy credits. Energy credits let the big rich corporations buy the rights to pollute as much as they want. For them, it’s a very small price to pay for pollution. It is one of the biggest scams of the global warming schemes. I’m surprised that you go along with it.
Tom Thayer
You are right about giving big corporations an easy out. SRECs in Maryland help to make residential solar panel installations much more affordable. This is turn helps the “little guy” become less dependent on big rich corporations for their household energy.
How are the credits calculated? Is there a proven (and operating) method for tracking and storing these SREC values?
Marlowe
For home owners, How are the credits calculated? What are they based on, electricity saved? That maybe a component on the size and number of the panels, industry average perhaps? I wonder if we will even get one SREC out of a thermal system. I guess we will find out once someone has an answer, then go from there.
As far as the big guys getting away with pollution this decade, so be it. As long as we consumers can get more of a break and incentive to save money by going green. Al least consumers are going green and that is a great start. SRECS will not last forever, I give them 10 – 12 years before they become too costly for companies, and they have to deploy more green energy faster with greater pressure from the government and the people.
This is a great example we should all take into consideration. How to welcome changes that can help us deal with present demands and challenges to seek for alternative energy and water resources. Thanks for sharing:)
We have a step-by-step guide coming out soon that will explain the details of the the SREC program now available for solar water heating in Maryland.
here’s a free report we put together on solar water heating SRECs. here’s the link:
http://www.atissun.com/blog/3951/solar-water-heating-srecs-maryland/