(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)“Administration” means the Maryland Energy Administration.
(3)“Residential energy storage system” means a system, on a residential customer’s side of the meter, used to store electrical energy, or mechanical, chemical, or thermal energy that was once electrical energy, for use as electrical energy at a later date or in a process that offsets electricity use at peak times.
(4)“Residential solar energy system” means any configuration of solar energy devices that collects and distributes solar energy for the purpose of generating electricity and that has a single residential interconnection with the electrical grid.
(5)“Solar permitting software” means:
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(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Administration” means the Maryland Energy Administration.
(3) “Residential energy storage system” means a system, on a residential customer’s side of the meter, used to store electrical energy, or mechanical, chemical, or thermal energy that was once electrical energy, for use as electrical energy at a later date or in a process that offsets electricity use at peak times.
(4) “Residential solar energy system” means any configuration of solar energy devices that collects and distributes solar energy for the purpose of generating electricity and that has a single residential interconnection with the electrical grid.
(5) “Solar permitting software” means:
(i) the most recent version of a web–based platform, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, that provides a standard portal for receiving and processing residential solar energy system and residential energy storage system permit information; or
(ii) automated software that functions to support the tracking and approval of residential building permits for residential solar energy systems, residential energy storage systems, main electrical panel upgrades, and main electrical panel devices.
(b) This section applies to all counties and municipalities.
(c) Subject to subsection (d) of this section and except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, on or before August 1, 2025, each county and municipality shall implement solar permitting software for features supporting the tracking and approval of residential building permits for:
(1) residential solar energy systems;
(2) residential energy storage systems;
(3) main electrical panel upgrades; and
(4) main electrical panel derates.
(d) A county or municipality may not be required to comply with the requirements of subsection (c) of this section if:
(1) the county or municipality does not require a permit for:
(i) residential solar energy systems; or
(ii) residential solar energy systems paired with a residential solar energy storage system; or
(2) as determined by the Administration, the automated software is no longer updated or maintained.
(e) The Administration shall delay the initial implementation or suspend the requirements of subsection (c) of this section if there are insufficient State or federal funds available to the Administration to provide financial support to a county or municipality implementing solar permitting software as defined in subsection (a)(5)(i) of this section.