Maryland Clean Energy Guide
Maryland has set ambitious climate goals through the Climate Solutions Now Act, and the Moore administration has set a goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035. The state is pursuing major offshore wind projects and building a robust solar market to meet these goals.
Source: American Clean Power Association
Last updated: July 2, 2026
Grid Operator: PJM
Maryland operates within PJM Interconnection, participating in regional transmission planning and wholesale markets that influence clean energy development.
Learn more about PJMClimate Solutions Now Act
The 2022 Climate Solutions Now Act is one of the most comprehensive state climate laws in the nation. It requires 60% greenhouse gas reductions by 2031 (from 2006 levels) and net-zero emissions by 2045. The law also mandates building electrification measures and incorporates environmental justice requirements. Separately, the Moore administration has set a goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035, though legislation to codify it has not passed.
Key Provisions
- Emissions Reduction: 60% by 2031 (from 2006 levels)
- Net-Zero Emissions: Economy-wide by 2045
- Building Electrification: Standards for new construction
- Environmental Justice: 40% of Climate Catalytic Capital Fund investments reserved for low-to-moderate-income communities
Offshore Wind Development
Maryland has set a goal of 8.5 GW of offshore wind by 2031 under the 2023 POWER Act and has invested in port infrastructure to become a regional offshore wind hub. Development faces serious headwinds, however: in 2025 the Interior Department moved to revoke the approved construction and operations plan for US Wind's project, federal funding for the Sparrows Point Steel facility was withdrawn, and litigation over the project's permits is ongoing.
Major Projects
- US Wind MarWin: Approximately 300 MW first phase of US Wind's roughly 2.2 GW Maryland Offshore Wind buildout off Ocean City
- Sparrows Point: Major port development for offshore wind staging
Solar Development
Maryland has built significant solar capacity through a combination of the RPS, community solar programs, and net metering. The state has seen growth in both rooftop installations and utility-scale projects on agricultural and brownfield land.
Community Solar
Maryland's community solar program, made permanent in 2025 after a multi-year pilot, enables subscribers to receive credits on utility bills from shared solar facilities. Under the permanent program, at least 40% of each project's capacity must serve low-to-moderate-income subscribers. The program has been popular and has driven development of numerous community solar projects across the state.
Key Developers Active in Maryland
- US Wind: Major offshore wind developer
- Constellation: Major utility with clean energy investments
- Pivot Energy: Community solar developer
- Standard Solar: Commercial solar developer
Challenges & Outlook
Maryland faces challenges including federal permitting reversals and cost pressures in offshore wind, transmission constraints in PJM, limited land for utility-scale solar, and the need for significant grid upgrades to meet the state's 2035 clean electricity goal.
Despite these challenges, Maryland's comprehensive climate law, offshore wind investments, and strong solar market position it for continued clean energy growth. The Moore administration's 2035 clean electricity goal is one of the most aggressive in the nation.
Latest Maryland Clean Energy News
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Project Opposition in Maryland
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Maryland's clean energy goals?
Maryland's Climate Solutions Now Act requires 60% emissions reductions by 2031 and net-zero emissions by 2045, and the Moore administration has set a goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035. The state has also set a goal of 8.5 GW of offshore wind by 2031 under the 2023 POWER Act and has aggressive energy efficiency and building electrification goals.
How is offshore wind developing in Maryland?
Maryland's remaining contracted project is US Wind's Maryland Offshore Wind development off Ocean City, including the roughly 300 MW MarWin phase, after Ørsted terminated its Skipjack Wind offtake agreements in January 2024. The project faces significant federal permitting challenges, with litigation ongoing. The state has been developing port infrastructure at Sparrows Point and Tradepoint Atlantic to support the industry.
What solar programs exist in Maryland?
Maryland offers a permanent community solar program (which replaced the pilot program at the end of 2024), net metering for residential systems, SRECs through the RPS, and incentives for low-to-moderate income solar adoption. The state has seen strong growth in both distributed and utility-scale solar.
What is the Climate Solutions Now Act?
Passed in 2022, the Climate Solutions Now Act requires 60% emissions reductions by 2031 (from 2006 levels) and net-zero emissions by 2045. It also mandates building electrification measures and environmental justice considerations.