(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) “Brownfield” has the meaning stated in § 7–207 of this title.
(3) “Certified SREC” means a solar renewable energy credit generated by a certified system.
(4) “Certified system” means a solar energy generating system certified by the Commission under the Program to generate certified SRECs with the compliance value specified in subsection (c) of this section.
(5) “Program” means the Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program.
(b) The Commission shall establish a Small Solar Energy Generating System Incentive Program.
(c) (1) Under the Program, a certified system shall generate certified SRECs.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, the provisions of this subtitle relating to renewable energy credits shall apply to certified SRECs.
(3) A certified SREC shall have a compliance value of 150% for electricity suppliers to put toward meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard for energy derived from solar energy under § 7–703 of this subtitle.
(d) To be eligible for certification under the Program, a solar energy generating system shall:
(1) be located in the State;
(2) be eligible for inclusion in meeting the renewable energy portfolio standard;
(3) have a generating capacity of 5 megawatts or less, as measured by the alternating current rating of the system’s inverter;
(4) be placed in service between July 1, 2024, and January 1, 2028, inclusive; and
(5) be one of the following types of systems:
(i) a system with a generating capacity of 20 kilowatts or less, as measured by the alternating current rating of the system’s inverter;
(ii) a system with a generating capacity of 2 megawatts or less, as measured by the alternating current rating of the system’s inverter, if the system is used for aggregate net metering; or
(iii) a system with a generating capacity of between 20 kilowatts and 5 megawatts, as measured by the alternating current rating of the system’s inverter, if the system is located on or over:
1. a rooftop;
2. a parking canopy;
3. a brownfield; or
4. a water retention pond or quarry currently or previously designated for industrial use.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, the Commission, at the time of certifying a solar energy generating system as a Tier 1 renewable source, shall certify the system as eligible to generate certified SRECs in accordance with subsection (c) of this section if the applicant submits with its application for certification as a Tier 1 renewable source:
(1) a form requesting to be certified to receive certified SRECs with the value specified in subsection (c) of this section;
(2) a copy of the interconnection agreement between the applicant and the applicant’s electric company indicating that the size of the system is eligible;
(3) if seeking certification as a system located on or over an area specified under subsection (d)(5)(iii) of this section, a copy of the final approval of the local building permit;
(4) if seeking certification as a system located on a brownfield, documentation demonstrating that the system is located on a brownfield;
(5) if seeking certification based on aggregated net metering, a copy of the aggregated net energy metering rider submitted with the interconnection agreement; and
(6) any other information required by the Commission.
(f) (1) The owner of a solar energy generating system may apply to the Commission to be certified under the Program if the system meets the requirements under subsection (d) of this section.
(2) The owner of a solar energy generating system that is placed in service between July 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, may apply to the Commission:
(i) before January 1, 2025, for certification as a Tier 1 renewable source; and
(ii) on or after January 1, 2025, for certification under the Program.
(g) The total amount of in–State generating capacity for certified systems, as measured by the alternating current rating of the systems’ inverters, under the Program may not exceed:
(1) 300 megawatts for systems with a generating capacity of less than 20 kilowatts, as measured by the alternating current rating of the system’s inverter; and
(2) 270 megawatts for systems with a generating capacity of between 20 kilowatts and 5 megawatts, as measured by the alternating current rating of the system’s inverter.
(h) (1) At the time a solar energy generating system is certified as a Tier 1 renewable source, the owner of the system shall pay to the Commission a one–time fee of:
(i) up to $50 for each system with a generating capacity of less than 20 kilowatts, as measured by the alternating current rating of the system’s inverter; and
(ii) up to $200 for each system with a generating capacity of more than 20 kilowatts, as measured by the alternating current rating of the system’s inverter.
(2) The Commission shall use the fees collected under paragraph (1) of this subsection to pay for costs associated with administering the Program.
(i) (1) A certified system shall continue to be eligible to generate certified SRECs for 15 years after the date of certification by the Commission, or January 1, 2025, whichever is later, after which the system shall be eligible to generate noncertified solar renewable energy credits as long as the system meets the requirements as a Tier 1 renewable source under this subtitle.
(2) The Commission shall:
(i) on or before January 1, 2025, begin determining eligibility of solar energy generating systems to be certified under the Program; and
(ii) on or before July 1, 2026, implement a revised system to review and ensure compliance with the renewable energy portfolio standard.
(3) An electricity supplier may apply the certified SRECs generated in accordance with this section toward the renewable energy portfolio standard starting with the 2025 compliance year.
(4) Notwithstanding any other law, the Commission shall allow electricity suppliers to demonstrate compliance with the renewable energy portfolio standard for the 2025 compliance year by submitting information between July 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026, using the revised system developed in accordance with paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection.