BGE Community Solar Pilot Program

The Maryland Public Service Commission has adopted regulations for a community energy pilot program in Maryland. Customers can participate in the pilot program by purchasing a subscription to a portion of the energy generated by a Community Solar Energy Generating System (known as “CSEGS”) from a Subscriber Organization. Once the subscription is purchased and the CSEGS is producing electricity, the customer will receive a credit on their BGE bill (will appear on the BGE bill as a “Community Solar Adjustment”) for their subscribed share of the CSEGS energy production.

The community energy pilot program will:

• Provide access to solar-generated electricity – in a manner similar to rooftop solar and net metering – for all Maryland customers without requiring property ownership;
• Provide for individual community solar projects that will be operated by Subscriber Organizations that are approved by the Public Service Commission with the CSEGSs approved by BGE.
• Attract new investment in Maryland’s renewable infrastructure and green economy;
• Allow renters to contract for solar energy with the same benefits as rooftop owners;
• Include significant consumer protections, including prohibition against unreasonable fees and clear contract disclosure requirements; and
• Allow the Commission Staff to collect necessary data to study the impact on Maryland’s electricity grid over the three-year pilot program.

BGE will continue to provide information on this Pilot Program so continue to check for further updates.

For more information or questions, please email: CSEGS-Coordinator@bge.com.

For Community Solar Current Rates, please click here.

Community Solar Energy Generating System Application Process

A Subscriber Organization wanting to build a CSEGS to participate in the pilot program must be approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission (MD PSC) and receive a Subscriber Organization identification number. Visit the MD PSC website for more information on this process.

After receiving PSC approval as a Subscriber Organization and PSC approval for the specific proposed project, the Subscriber Organization can then proceed to submitting a CSEGS Interconnection Application. Interconnection Applications will be accepted under the existing BGE Interconnection Application process and in accordance with COMAR 20.50.09. BGE will provide the Subscriber Organization with a Conditional Interconnection Approval after completion of the interconnection study.

After acceptance by the Subscriber Organization of the Conditional Interconnection Approval, the Subscriber Organization can apply to the BGE Community Solar Pilot Program for capacity in pilot program in accordance with COMAR 20.62 and BGE Electric Rider 32.

Forms/Links

Interconnection Application

Supplemental Instructions for Interconnection Application For Community Solar Projects (PDF)

BGE Community Energy Pilot Program (Rider 32) (PDF)

BGE Subscriber List Submission Deadline & SO Reporting Calendar (PDF)

BGE Pilot Program Status

The following table sets forth the annual capacity limits under the pilot program for BGE. Once BGE begins accepting pilot program applications starting June 28th, 2017, 12:00pm, daily updates to the status of the queue and remaining pilot program capacity will be available here.

 Capacity Chart (PDF)

 Pilot Program Application List (PDF)

CSEGS Pilot Program Annual Capacity Limits