Baltimore County, MD — Solar Development Risk Assessment

No Moratorium

§4F: Aboveground components (solar panels, inverters, equipment) must be set back ≥50 ft from the tract boundary. Setback does NOT apply to landscaping, security fencing, wiring, or power lines. No historic district or landmarks list land; no forest conservation easement land.

Special exception process in most zones. MD PSC CPCN required for ≥2 MW — preempts county zoning with "due consideration."

Generally favorable politically; limited utility-scale land; suburban density constraints

Dense suburban county; Baltimore City enclave; limited agricultural land; agricultural preservation areas restrict utility-scale; community solar and commercial rooftop primary

Improving

Local county zoning permit: conditional use or special exception at county level; no uniform statewide solar permitting standard. PPRP (Power Plant Research Program, MD DNR): environmental review for generating facilities ≥70 MW; PSC CPCN required for projects ≥70 MW. Projects <70 MW: county-level permitting only. No statewide preemption of local solar ordinances. Net metering: systems up to 2 MW (residential up to 2× annual load). All MD in PJM territory. Maryland has the largest solar carve-out in the U.S. at 14.5% by 2028 (MD Code, PUC §7-703).

Maryland Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS): 50% by 2030; solar carve-out 14.5% by 2028 — drives strong SREC demand. Maryland SREC market: PSC-administered; ~$50-80/SREC 2023-2024 for Tier 1 Maryland SRECs. Maryland Solar Access Program (Brighter Tomorrow Act 2024): $750/kW up to $7,500 for income-qualifying residential customers. Maryland Community Solar: community solar program active statewide. Maryland PSC: approval required for utility-owned solar; IPP projects via county/local process. Utility: BGE (Eversource) serves Baltimore metro; Pepco serves Montgomery/PG County; Delmarva Power serves Eastern Shore; SMECO serves Southern MD; Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy) serves western MD.

Baltimore County, Maryland — Central MD surrounding Baltimore City; BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric) territory; suburban/agricultural mix; active commercial and agricultural solar pipeline. Several 1-10 MW projects approved in agricultural portions of the county; commercial and industrial rooftop solar active throughout. BGE serves Baltimore County. MD PSC CPCN required for ≥2 MW. MD RPS 50% by 2030.

No confirmed Maryland PSC CPCN denials specifically for Baltimore County.