MD
🦀 MarylandHB 1532 — 2026 Utility RELIEF Act
Maryland
Solar Permit Plans.
NEC 2020. HB 1532 Ready.
Five Utilities. All 25 AHJs.
Governor Moore signed HB 1532 in 2026 — the Utility RELIEF Act mandates SolarAPP+ adoption by every Maryland county by August 1, 2027 and caps permit fees at $500. The Brighter Tomorrow Act delivers a 1.5× SREC multiplier and $50/SREC price floor. Maryland has five distinct utility territories and 24 counties plus Baltimore City — each requiring the correct plan set format from page one.
NEC 2020HB 1532 SolarAPP+ ReadyBGE · Pepco · Delmarva · SMECO · Potomac EdisonMHIC Licensed FieldsSREC Documentation
NEC 2020Maryland statewide electrical code
Aug 1, 2027All MD counties: SolarAPP+ mandatory
$500 CapResidential permit fee cap — HB 1532
1.5× SRECRooftop SREC multiplier · $50 floor
Maryland Solar Permits — 2026
Five Utilities, Twenty-Five AHJs, and the Most Active Solar Legislative Year in Maryland History
Permit Design produces Maryland solar permit plan sets for solar installers, EPCs, and roofing companies across all 24 Maryland counties and Baltimore City. Maryland passed two landmark solar laws in 2024 and 2026. The Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024 introduced a 1.5× SREC multiplier and $50/SREC price floor. The Utility RELIEF Act (HB 1532), signed by Governor Moore in 2026, mandates SolarAPP+ adoption by every Maryland county by August 1, 2027, caps residential permit fees at $500, and creates a new plug-in solar right for systems up to 1,200W.
Maryland enforces NEC 2020 statewide. Every county and municipality requires both a building permit and an electrical permit. Standard plan set requirements include a PE-stamped structural letter, single-line electrical diagram, equipment datasheets, UL listings, NEC 2020 load calculations, and proof of a valid MHIC (Maryland Home Improvement Commission) licence. The master electrician of record must sign the Certification of Solar Panel Installation upon project completion. Battery storage triggers an additional residential alteration permit in most Maryland jurisdictions.
Maryland's five utility territories — BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, SMECO, and Potomac Edison — each require distinct interconnection documentation formats regulated by the PSC under COMAR 20.50.09. Baltimore City is completely separate from Baltimore County, with its own building department, permit portal, and fee structure. Every Permit Design Maryland plan set is formatted for the specific county AHJ and correct utility from the first sheet.
Last updated: May 2026 · Reading time: ~8 minutes · HB 1532, Brighter Tomorrow Act, and MHIC requirements confirmed as of May 2026.
2026 Maryland Solar Laws
The Utility RELIEF Act + Brighter Tomorrow Act — What Every Maryland Installer Must Know
Two laws — one passed in 2024, one in 2026 — have transformed Maryland's solar landscape. Combined, they cut permitting costs, cap fees, mandate automated permitting statewide, and boost the SREC programme that makes Maryland solar financially compelling.
Signed 2026
HB 1532 / SB 841 — Utility RELIEF Act: Mandated SolarAPP+, $500 Fee Cap, Plug-In Solar Rights
Governor Wes Moore signed the Utility RELIEF Act into law in 2026 with bipartisan support. The law's three major provisions: (1) All Maryland counties must adopt automated solar permitting software (SolarAPP+) by August 1, 2027 — the Attorney General has enforcement authority against non-compliant counties, with historic properties on the Maryland Register explicitly exempt. (2) Residential solar permit fees are capped at $500 — projected to save Maryland families at least $150 per year through accelerated solar adoption. (3) Plug-in solar rights effective May 12, 2026: homeowners and renters may self-install systems up to 1,200W without BGE or Pepco interconnection approval; systems ≤391W require no UL certification. Note: plug-in systems do not qualify for SRECs or MSAP grants.
Brighter Tomorrow Act · 2024
SREC 1.5× Multiplier + $50 Floor
The Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024 introduced a 1.5× SREC multiplier for qualifying rooftop solar systems — each MWh of rooftop generation earns 1.5 SRECs rather than 1. Combined with the $50/SREC price floor, this significantly increases Maryland solar ROI. Only properly interconnected systems registered with the PSC qualify for the multiplier.
MSAP · FY26 Closed · FY27 Coming
Maryland Solar Access Program
The Maryland Solar Access Program (MSAP), established by the Brighter Tomorrow Act, offers grants up to $7,500 for qualifying households. The FY26 programme (budget: $12 million) closed June 5, 2026 after exhausting its full allocation. The FY27 programme is anticipated to launch summer 2026. Participating contractors must hold MHIC licence + NABCEP certification.
Plug-In Solar · May 12, 2026
Up to 1,200W — No Utility Approval
Effective May 12, 2026, Maryland residents (homeowners and renters) may self-install solar systems up to 1,200W without BGE or Pepco interconnection approval. Systems ≤391W require no UL certification. Systems over 1,200W still require standard permitting, electrical permits, and utility interconnection. Plug-in systems do not generate SRECs and do not qualify for MSAP.
SolarAPP+ adoption status varies by county today. Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and Worcester County are already using SolarAPP+ — Montgomery County processes qualifying residential permits in 5 business days. All other Maryland counties must adopt by August 1, 2027. Permit Design formats plan sets for SolarAPP+ upload for early-adopter counties and for standard submission for all others.
SolarAPP+ Status by County
Maryland SolarAPP+ Adoption — County by County
Live — SolarAPP+ Active
Montgomery County
SolarAPP+ in use. Qualifying residential permits processed in approximately 5 business days. MHIC licence required. PSC interconnection via Pepco. Historic properties (e.g. Chevy Chase historic district) exempt from automated permitting.
Live — SolarAPP+ Active
Prince George's County
SolarAPP+ adopted. Pepco serves most of Prince George's; SMECO serves southern areas. Verify utility by address before building plan set. College Park, Bowie, Laurel have distinct municipal overlays.
Live — SolarAPP+ Active
Worcester County
Early SolarAPP+ adopter on the Eastern Shore. Delmarva Power serves most of Worcester County. Ocean City tourism market drives commercial solar demand in this jurisdiction.
Adopting — In Progress
Howard County
Working toward SolarAPP+ adoption ahead of August 2027 mandate. BGE serves Howard County. One of Maryland's fastest-growing solar markets between Baltimore and Washington.
Required by Aug 1, 2027
All Remaining Counties
All 24 Maryland counties plus Baltimore City must adopt automated permitting software by August 1, 2027 under HB 1532. The Attorney General has enforcement authority. Permit Design formats plan sets correctly for both SolarAPP+ and traditional submission pathways.
Separate Jurisdiction
Baltimore City vs Baltimore County
Critical distinction: Baltimore City is an independent city, completely separate from Baltimore County. Different building departments, portals, fees, and timelines. Submitting to the wrong jurisdiction means starting over. Always verify jurisdiction by exact project address.
Maryland Utilities
Five Maryland Utilities — Each Requiring Distinct Interconnection Documentation
Maryland has three investor-owned utilities and two electric cooperatives regulated by the PSC under COMAR 20.50.09. Using the wrong utility's interconnection documentation results in rejection at the utility review stage.
| Utility | Counties Served | Net Metering Rate | ISA Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGE | Baltimore City, Baltimore Co., Anne Arundel, Howard, Carroll, Harford, Frederick | ~13.45¢/kWh | 4–8 weeks | Largest MD utility · COMAR 20.50.09 interconnection · BGE SmartEnergy account for SREC registration |
| Pepco | Montgomery County, Prince George's County (most) | ~13.25¢/kWh | 4–8 weeks | Washington metro area · SolarAPP+ counties Pepco territory · Plug-in solar: no approval ≤1,200W as of May 12, 2026 |
| Delmarva Power | Eastern Shore: Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, parts of Caroline | ~12.09¢/kWh | 4–8 weeks | Eastern Shore territory · Distinct from BGE and Pepco formats · PSC COMAR 20.50.09 |
| SMECO | Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's, parts of Prince George's County | PSC regulated | 4–8 weeks | Southern MD Electric Cooperative · Parts of Prince George's County overlap with Pepco — verify by address |
| Potomac Edison | Western MD: Washington, Allegany, Garrett counties | PSC regulated | 4–8 weeks | Western Maryland mountains · Garrett County is highest elevation MD county — snow load calculations critical |
Prince George's County has two utilities — always verify by address. Most of Prince George's County is served by Pepco, but southern portions are served by SMECO. Submitting Pepco interconnection documentation for a SMECO address restarts the utility review from scratch. Permit Design verifies the serving utility by project address for every Maryland plan set.
Maryland SREC + MSAP
Maryland SREC Programme — 1.5× Multiplier Makes Solar Economics Compelling
Maryland's SREC programme is one of the strongest state incentives for residential solar. The Brighter Tomorrow Act's 1.5× multiplier and $50/SREC price floor significantly increase annual SREC revenue for qualifying rooftop systems.
SREC Value
$50 Minimum
Brighter Tomorrow Act price floor of $50/SREC. Market prices may exceed floor. 1.5× multiplier means a system generating 5 MWh/year earns 7.5 SRECs annually — potentially $375+ per year at the floor price.
SREC Multiplier
1.5× for Rooftop
Each MWh of qualifying rooftop solar generation earns 1.5 SRECs under the Brighter Tomorrow Act. Applies to systems properly interconnected through standard utility interconnection and registered with the Maryland PSC — plug-in systems do not qualify.
MSAP Status
FY27 Coming
FY26 programme (up to $7,500) closed June 5, 2026 after exhausting $12M budget. FY27 programme anticipated summer 2026. MHIC licence + NABCEP certification required for contractor participation. Apply through Maryland Energy Administration MEA portal.
SREC registration requires standard utility interconnection. A system must be properly interconnected through BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, SMECO, or Potomac Edison and registered with the Maryland PSC to generate SRECs and qualify for the 1.5× multiplier. Permit Design includes PSC SREC registration documentation fields in every Maryland plan set.
What's Included
Maryland Solar Permit Plan Set Contents
Every Maryland plan set from Permit Design is NEC 2020 compliant, PE-stamped, formatted for SolarAPP+ where adopted, and includes the correct utility interconnection package and SREC documentation.
Sheet 01
Cover Sheet
NEC 2020 citation, MHIC licence number field (mandatory — rejection without it), local electrician's licence reference, project address, county, AHJ details, utility interconnection reference, and PSC SREC registration notation. Formatted for SolarAPP+ upload or traditional submission based on the specific county's current adoption status.
Sheet 02
Site Plan
Scaled site plan with property boundaries, BGE/Pepco/Delmarva/SMECO/Potomac Edison utility meter location, fire code access pathways, and array routing. Baltimore City and Baltimore County notations clearly distinguished. Historic district notation for Annapolis, Frederick, and other designated Maryland historic areas — exempt from automated permitting under HB 1532.
Sheet 03
Roof Layout
Panel array layout with roof pitch, orientation, attachment points, Maryland fire setbacks, and rafter/truss documentation. Regional snow loads applied: Garrett County (Western MD mountain region): 30–40 psf. Central Maryland and Baltimore metro: 25 psf. Eastern Shore: 15–20 psf. ASCE 7-22 wind loads by county included.
Sheet 04
Single-Line Diagram
NEC 2020 Article 690 and Article 705 compliant electrical schematic from PV source circuits through inverter to utility interconnection. Battery storage: separate circuit documentation for NEC Article 706 compliance and residential alteration permit trigger. Formatted for BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, SMECO, or Potomac Edison interconnection review.
Sheet 05
Structural Calculations
Maryland-licensed PE-stamped structural analysis — dead load, wind load, snow load by county zone. Western Maryland mountains (Garrett, Allegany, Washington counties) receive elevated snow load engineering. Central Maryland and Baltimore metro: standard Mid-Atlantic wind and snow. Eastern Shore: lower snow, higher wind exposure. Rafter sizing and penetration documentation.
Sheet 06
Rapid Shutdown
NEC 2020 Section 690.12 rapid shutdown compliance — the most commonly requested Maryland correction item. System boundary, initiating device, array dimensions, and 690.56(C) labelling. Required by most Maryland AHJs on the single-line diagram and as standalone sheet. Formatted for SolarAPP+ checklist verification where applicable.
Sheet 07
Utility Interconnection Package
BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, SMECO, or Potomac Edison interconnection documentation formatted to each utility's COMAR 20.50.09 requirements. PSC SREC registration documentation fields included. Submit to utility same day as building permit. MHIC licence and master electrician details confirmed on all utility documentation.
Sheet 08
Equipment Datasheets
UL-listed spec sheets for all components — modules, inverters, optimisers, racking. Battery storage: NEC Article 706 documentation, UL 9540 certification for storage systems, and residential alteration permit trigger notation. SREC-eligible equipment documentation for PSC SREC registration. All datasheets current at time of delivery.
Process
How Maryland Solar Permit Plan Sets Work
01
Submit Your Maryland Project
Send us the county and address — we determine the correct AHJ (Baltimore City vs Baltimore County, SolarAPP+ county or traditional submission), correct utility (BGE vs Pepco vs Delmarva vs SMECO vs Potomac Edison), and MSAP/SREC eligibility. MHIC and electrician licence details required for cover sheet.
02
We Build to NEC 2020 + Correct AHJ
NEC 2020 compliant throughout. PE-stamped structural with county-specific snow and wind loads. SolarAPP+ formatted for Montgomery, Prince George's, and Worcester counties. Standard format for all other Maryland counties. Correct utility interconnection package and PSC SREC documentation included.
03
Delivered in 24–48 Hours
Your complete Maryland plan set delivered in 24–48 hours. Submit to your AHJ and utility on the same day. With HB 1532 capping permit fees at $500, Maryland projects are now more financially straightforward than ever. Free revisions until your Maryland AHJ approves.
First-Time Maryland Clients
Try Us on Your First Maryland Project. Free.
New to Permit Design? Send us your first Maryland residential solar project and we'll deliver the complete plan set free — NEC 2020, PE-stamped, SolarAPP+ ready, correct utility interconnection, and PSC SREC documentation included.
Available for solar installers, EPCs, and roofing companies offering solar installation services. Not available for individual homeowners or end customers. One free residential plan set per company.
Claim Your Free MD Plan Set →
NEC 2020 compliant
HB 1532 SolarAPP+ formatted
BGE · Pepco · Delmarva · SMECO · Potomac Ed.
MHIC licence fields included
Free revisions until AHJ approval
Maryland Solar Market — 2026
Maryland Solar by the Numbers
Aug 1, 2027
SolarAPP+ Statewide Mandate
HB 1532 mandates all 24 Maryland counties and Baltimore City adopt automated solar permitting software by August 1, 2027. Montgomery County already processes qualifying permits in 5 business days with SolarAPP+. Once all counties adopt, Maryland's permitting landscape will rank among the most efficient in the Mid-Atlantic. The Attorney General has enforcement authority against non-compliant counties.
$500 Cap
Residential Permit Fee Cap — HB 1532
HB 1532 caps residential solar permit fees at $500 statewide. This replaces a patchwork of county-level fees that ranged from $250 to over $1,000. The $500 cap is projected to save Maryland families at least $150 per year through reduced upfront installation costs. Historic properties on the Maryland Register are exempt from this cap's associated automated permitting requirements.
1.5× SREC
Rooftop SREC Multiplier
The Brighter Tomorrow Act's 1.5× SREC multiplier for qualifying rooftop systems effectively boosts SREC revenue by 50% compared to pre-2024 Maryland solar economics. A system generating 5 MWh per year earns 7.5 SRECs annually. At the $50/SREC price floor, that's $375+ per year in SREC income alone — one of the strongest state-level solar incentives in the Mid-Atlantic region.
5 Utilities
Most Utility Complexity of Any Mid-Atlantic State
Maryland's five-utility landscape — BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, SMECO, and Potomac Edison — makes utility verification by address critical on every Maryland solar project. Prince George's County alone has both Pepco and SMECO customers. Using the wrong utility's interconnection format results in rejection at the utility review stage and a restart of the 4–8 week interconnection timeline.
25
AHJs — 24 Counties + Baltimore City
Maryland has 24 counties and the independent city of Baltimore — each a completely separate AHJ. Baltimore City is not part of Baltimore County. Different building departments, permit portals, fee structures, and timelines. This Baltimore City vs Baltimore County distinction is the most common Maryland permit error for out-of-state installers. Verify by exact project address, not by the word "Baltimore" in the address.
MHIC
Mandatory Licence — Both Mounting and Electrical
Maryland requires an MHIC (Maryland Home Improvement Commission) licence for all solar mounting work and a separate local electrician's licence for the electrical connection. The master electrician of record must sign the Certification of Solar Panel Installation after project completion. Missing either licence on the permit application triggers intake rejection. MSAP participating contractors also need NABCEP certification in addition to MHIC.
Maryland AHJ Rejections
Top 3 Reasons Maryland Solar Permits Get Rejected
These are the three most common Maryland rejection triggers across all 25 AHJs — all preventable with correctly formatted plan sets.
01
Wrong Jurisdiction — Baltimore City vs Baltimore County
The single most common Maryland error for out-of-state installers. Baltimore City is an independent city — completely separate from Baltimore County with its own building department, permit portal, and processing workflow. Submitting a Baltimore County-formatted application to Baltimore City Building Department results in rejection at intake. A project with a "Baltimore" address could be in either jurisdiction — and getting it wrong means starting the application process from scratch. Surrounding municipalities like Towson, Catonsville, and Pikesville are in Baltimore County, not the City.
Baltimore City vs Baltimore County jurisdiction splitHow we prevent it: We verify the exact jurisdiction — Baltimore City or Baltimore County or the specific municipality — for every Maryland project by property address before building. The plan set is formatted and labelled for the correct AHJ.
02
MHIC Licence Missing or Wrong Licence Type on Cover Sheet
Maryland requires a valid MHIC (Maryland Home Improvement Commission) licence on the permit application for solar mounting work — separate from the local electrician's licence for the electrical connection. Missing either licence number causes intake rejection across most Maryland counties. For MSAP programme participation, an additional NABCEP certification is required. The in-sequence permit rule — building permit issued first, electrical permit then referencing the building permit number — is a process requirement that causes rejection when violated.
MHIC licence · local electrician licence · in-sequence permitsHow we prevent it: Every Maryland plan set cover sheet has dedicated MHIC licence number and local electrician licence fields. We confirm the in-sequence permit process requirement for the specific county AHJ before plan set delivery.
03
Wrong Utility Interconnection Format — Prince George's County Split
Prince George's County has both Pepco customers (most of the county) and SMECO customers (southern portions). Submitting Pepco interconnection documentation for a SMECO address — or vice versa — results in rejection at the utility review stage. The application must be re-filed with the correct utility from scratch, restarting the 4–8 week interconnection timeline. Similar split zones exist on the borders of other Maryland utility territories including the Delmarva/BGE border on the Eastern Shore corridor.
Prince George's County: Pepco vs SMECO · COMAR 20.50.09How we prevent it: We verify the serving utility by project address — not by county name — for every Maryland project. Prince George's County addresses are checked against Pepco and SMECO territory maps before plan set build begins.
See all 8 common plan set rejection reasons → Residential Solar Permit Design →
FAQ
Maryland Solar Permit Design — Frequently Asked Questions
Maryland enforces NEC 2020 statewide. Every Maryland county and municipality requires both a building permit and an electrical permit. Standard requirements include a PE-stamped structural letter, single-line electrical diagram, equipment datasheets, UL listings, NEC 2020 load calculations, and proof of a valid MHIC licence.
Signed by Governor Wes Moore in 2026, HB 1532 mandates all Maryland counties adopt SolarAPP+ automated permitting by August 1, 2027, caps residential permit fees at $500, and creates plug-in solar rights for systems up to 1,200W effective May 12, 2026. The Attorney General has enforcement authority. Historic properties on the Maryland Register are exempt.
The Maryland PSC administers the SREC programme. The Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024 introduced a 1.5× multiplier for qualifying rooftop systems (each MWh earns 1.5 SRECs) and a $50/SREC price floor. Only properly interconnected systems registered with the PSC qualify. Plug-in systems do not generate SRECs.
MSAP offers grants up to $7,500 for qualifying Maryland households installing solar. The FY26 programme closed June 5, 2026 after exhausting its $12M budget. The FY27 programme is anticipated summer 2026. Participating contractors must hold MHIC licence + NABCEP certification. Applications through the Maryland Energy Administration MEA portal.
The MHIC (Maryland Home Improvement Commission) licence is required for all solar mounting work. A separate electrician's licence from the local jurisdiction is required for the electrical connection. The master electrician of record must sign the Certification of Solar Panel Installation. Missing either licence on the permit application triggers intake rejection.
BGE serves Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, Howard, Carroll, Harford, and Frederick counties. Pepco serves Montgomery County and most of Prince George's County. Delmarva Power serves the Eastern Shore. SMECO serves Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's, and parts of Prince George's. Potomac Edison serves Western Maryland. All regulated by the PSC under COMAR 20.50.09.
Baltimore City is an independent city — completely separate from Baltimore County. Different building departments, permit portals, and fee structures. Submitting to the wrong jurisdiction means starting over. Always verify by exact project address. Towson, Catonsville, and Pikesville are Baltimore County. The City of Baltimore is Baltimore City.
Montgomery County with SolarAPP+: approximately 5 business days. Most Maryland counties without SolarAPP+: 10–20 business days. Baltimore City: 2–4 weeks. Baltimore County: 2–4 weeks. BGE and Pepco interconnection: 4–8 weeks. Submit building permit and utility interconnection simultaneously. All counties must adopt SolarAPP+ by August 1, 2027.
Permit Design delivers Maryland plan sets within 24–48 hours. Every plan set is NEC 2020 compliant, PE-stamped, formatted for SolarAPP+ for early-adopter counties and traditional submission for all others, includes the correct utility interconnection documentation and MHIC licence fields, and SREC registration documentation. Free revisions until your Maryland AHJ approves.
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Permit Design Engineering Team
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Neighbouring States
Solar Permit Plan Sets — Mid-Atlantic States
Maryland Solar.
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NEC 2020 · HB 1532 SolarAPP+ Ready · MHIC Licensed
BGE · Pepco · Delmarva · SMECO · Potomac Edison · All 25 AHJs · 24–48 Hours
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