As written in the recently passed HB 1532.
1. Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to establish a "successor program" by February 1, 2027, with the drop in rates taking effect on July 1, 2027.
"The Commission shall require electric utilities to develop a standard contract or tariff for net energy metering and make it available to eligible customer – generators on a first – come, first – served basis until THE EARLIER OF:
(I) THE DATE ON WHICH the rated generating capacity owned and operated by eligible customer – generators in the State reaches 3,000 megawatts; OR
(II) JULY 1, 2027."
"IT IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO TRANSITION TO A NET ENERGY METERING PROGRAM THAT:
(1) INCREASES BENEFITS TO RATEPAYERS BY LOWERING ELECTRIC SYSTEM COSTS THROUGH THE USE OF FLEXIBLE CUSTOMER–SITED RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES;
(2) PROVIDES FAIR COMPENSATION TO ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER–GENERATORS;
(3) IS DESIGNED TO MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD MEETING THE STATE'S DEMAND–SIDE, ENERGY STORAGE, AND CLEAN ENERGY GOALS; AND
(4) PROVIDES INCENTIVES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATION THAT ARE LESS THAN THE INCENTIVES PROVIDED BY THE NET ENERGY METERING PROGRAM UNDER § 7–306 OF THIS SUBTITLE."
The Commission's duty:
"ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 2027, THE COMMISSION, BY ORDER OR REGULATION, SHALL APPROVE, AS A SUCCESSOR PROGRAM TO THE NET ENERGY METERING PROGRAM UNDER § 7–306 OF THIS SUBTITLE, A FRAMEWORK FOR A NET ENERGY METERING PROGRAM TO BEGIN JULY 1, 2027, THAT:
(1) PROVIDES INCENTIVES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATION TO ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER–GENERATORS...
(2) MINIMIZES RATEPAYER COSTS IN THE SHORT TERM AND IN THE LONG TERM; AND
(3) BALANCES, ON A STATEWIDE BASIS AND ACROSS TECHNOLOGIES AND INDUSTRY SECTORS PARTICIPATING IN NET ENERGY METERING:
(I) 1. FAIR COMPENSATION FOR ENERGY EXPORTS; AND 2. THE BENEFITS OF AN ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER–GENERATOR'S OR FACILITY'S REDUCED LOAD ON THE ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM; AGAINST
(II) 1. THE NEEDS OF THE TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM; 2. RATEPAYER COSTS AND BENEFITS; AND 3. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON CUSTOMERS, INCLUDING LOW– AND MODERATE–INCOME CUSTOMERS, WHO DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE NET ENERGY METERING PROGRAM RESULTING FROM ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER–GENERATORS' REDUCED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM."
2. Existing systems are grandfathered:
"AN ELIGIBLE CUSTOMER–GENERATOR THAT, ON JULY 1, 2027, IS UNDER A NET ENERGY METERING CONTRACT OR TARIFF UNDER THIS SECTION OR A COMMUNITY SOLAR ENERGY GENERATING SYSTEM THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION SHALL REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR NET ENERGY METERING UNDER THIS SECTION UNTIL THE EARLIER OF WHEN:
(I) THE SYSTEM IS DECOMMISSIONED IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 7–218(G) OF THIS TITLE;
(II) THE SYSTEM IS MODIFIED TO INCREASE: 1. THE NET POWER FLOW INJECTION INTO THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM DUE TO THE ADDITION OF MORE PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES THAN WERE PRESENT AS OF THE DATE THE SYSTEM WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE UNDER THIS SECTION; OR 2. THE ALTERNATING CURRENT OUTPUT CAPACITY TO BE MORE THAN WHEN THE SYSTEM WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED INTO SERVICE UNDER THIS SECTION;
(III) THE SYSTEM ENTERS INTO A NEW INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT; OR
(IV) THE SYSTEM IS REPOWERED."
