Welcome back to Policy Puzzle, our ongoing series dedicated to unraveling the complexities of state-level urban and community planning policies!

As we resume in 2025, we turn our focus to Maryland’s recent legislative advancements in solar energy. As Maryland emerges from the 2025 legislative session, one bill stands out as a cornerstone of its renewable energy strategy: the Renewable Energy Certainty Act (SB 931 / HB 1036) – This landmark law is more than a regulatory tweak, it’s a fundamental restructuring of how distributed solar and battery storage systems are permitted and integrated across the state.

This blog post dives into the Act’s key components, explores how it addresses long-standing solar development challenges, and examines its ripple effects on local planning, land use, and community-scale energy.

So, whether you’re a local planner, developer, policymaker, or simply a solar-curious resident, the state’s new policies have real implications for how communities grow, how energy is delivered, and who gets to participate in the clean energy economy.

Why the Renewable Energy Certainty Act Matters

For years, solar developers in Maryland have navigated a complex landscape of inconsistent local regulations, prolonged permitting delays, and unclear review processes for distributed generation projects. These projects typically involve solar systems under five megawatts, including both commercial rooftops and small utility-scale arrays.

The Renewable Energy Certainty Act responds directly to these pain points with a clear intent: to standardize and streamline the solar approval process.

Key Provisions of the Act

1. New Certificate for Distributed Solar Projects: The Act establishes a new type of Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) specifically for distributed generation projects. Unlike the traditional CPCN, which was designed for large power plants and utility-scale infrastructure, this tailored certificate streamlines review for smaller projects.

• • Eligible systems include solar, battery storage, or hybrid installations under 5 MW.
  • Review is handled by the Public Service Commission (PSC) with reduced documentation and timelines.
    • Environmental and community impact assessments are still required, but now standardized.

2. Uniform Siting and Design Standards: The Act directs the Power Plant Research Program (PPRP) to develop a statewide siting and design manual by July 1st, 2026. This manual will:

• • Define criteria for site layout, access, visual screening, vegetation management, and decommissioning.
  • Apply to systems located on rooftops, brownfields, parking lots, farmland, and open space.
  • Preempt inconsistent local ordinances that contradict state standards.

This could be a big change for local planning departments. Jurisdictions must now align their site plan review procedures with these uniform standards, or risk delay penalties for non-compliance.

3. Fast-Tracked Local Review: Once a project meets the statewide standards, the local government is required to expedite site plan approval, typically within 60 days. Failure to act within this timeframe can trigger automatic approval or PSC intervention. This measure ensures that projects don’t stall for months due to procedural gridlock or political inertia at the local level.

Environmental Protections and Equity Considerations

Although the Act streamlines approval, it does not abandon environmental safeguards. The siting manual must include:

• Minimal grading and impervious surface disturbance.
• Soil protection and vegetation buffers.
• Requirements for decommissioning bonds to ensure responsible end-of-life site restoration.

Additionally, the Act encourages solar deployment on low-impact sites like parking canopies, rooftops, and landfills, balancing energy goals with land conservation.

Implications for Local Governments and Planners

The Renewable Energy Certainty Act shifts Maryland toward a state-led solar permitting framework, similar to approaches seen in states like California and New Jersey. While the local zoning authority remains intact, it is now nested within a clearer regulatory framework.

Local governments must:

• Update zoning codes and subdivision regulations to recognize distributed solar as a permitted or conditionally permitted use in most zones.
• Coordinate with state agencies on site plan thresholds and environmental review.
• Educate staff on the new CPCN process and integrate it into development workflows.

This presents both a challenge and an opportunity: jurisdictions that adapt quickly will attract investment and become regional leaders in clean energy deployment.

How This Ties Into Maryland’s Broader Solar Strategy

While the Renewable Energy Certainty Act provides the regulatory backbone, it works in tandem with other recent policies:

• The Community Solar Program Expansion, set to begin in 2025, ensures residents without rooftop access can still participate in clean energy.
• HB 1111 in 2025 incentivizes solar on quarries, brownfields, and industrial sites.
• The Solar Access Grant Program offers financial support for low-income rooftop adoption.

Contact Our Team

For more information on the complexities of recent and potential state-level urban and community planning policy in Maryland or to receive expert support in planning your next project, be sure to Contact Our Team today!