Governor Wes Moore announced a $2 million initiative through the Maryland Energy Administration’s Residential and Commercial Energy Storage Program that will provide rebates to cover the purchase and installation of battery energy storage systems, aiming to lower electricity costs, improve grid resilience, and expand clean energy use for residents and businesses statewide.
Per the news release distributed on Monday, August 12: “Governor Wes Moore today announced the debut of a newly rewired $2 million initiative to help lower electricity costs and improve grid resilience by making battery storage more accessible for Maryland residents and business owners. The Maryland Energy Administration will now cover the costs of purchasing and installing battery energy storage systems to promote the expansion of the promising clean energy technology statewide through the Residential and Commercial Energy Storage Program.
“While corporate greed continues to drive up energy costs for Marylanders, our administration is fighting to bring prices down,” said Gov. Moore. “When we invest in clean energy, we help expand supply. When we expand supply, we help rein in utility expenses for everyone. Together, we are making Maryland more affordable, more resilient, and more competitive — all at the same time.”
The Residential and Commercial Energy Storage program helps make battery storage more accessible to all Marylanders, supports local grid reliability, and advances the state’s economic, clean energy and climate goals. Formerly offered as a tax credit, the Maryland Energy Administration has redefined this program to begin offering rebates due to the evolving needs of Maryland’s residents and energy marketplace.
The new program is open to both residential and commercial applicants seeking to install qualifying battery energy storage systems, enabling more homeowners and businesses to store electricity for later use, such as during peak demand periods or power outages, and helps improve energy resilience and flexibility. By shifting energy use to times when electricity is cheaper, battery energy storage systems can help reduce monthly energy bills through time-of-use savings.
“The latest consensus-backed science is telling us that climate change is making storms on average about 20% more severe, which presents real and growing challenges to grid reliability and resource adequacy,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky. “This new program will help support emergency preparedness and build resiliency for communities statewide, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent.”
When paired with rooftop solar, battery energy storage systems allow Marylanders to store clean, locally generated power for use after sunset or during outages — maximizing the value of their investment and further reducing reliance on fossil fuels and accelerating Maryland’s transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
For more information about the Residential and Commercial Energy Storage Program, please visit the program webpage.”