The outlook for Maryland’s solar community just got a little brighter, when late last month, Governor Martin O’Malley signed into law two bills that will smooth the path for solar investors and consumers in the coming decade. We applaud the MD legislature for putting forth S.B. 791and H.B. 1187, proving anew their foresight and support of clean energy in the state.
The bills modify the current renewable portfolio standard, moving forward by two years the goal  for creating 2 percent of the state’s energy through solar. Combined, the legislation ensures continued steady growth for the solar industry and levels out the boom-bust effect, stabilizing the value of SRECs and incentivizing solar investment. It will also stimulate green job growth through 2018.

As president of the regional Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA), Standard Solar CEO Tony Clifford led the Maryland solar industry effort in support of this legislation. Tony along with Marcus Joyner, a Residential Engineer, and Braxton Proctor, a Service Technician, testified in Annapolis in support of the legislation. All three were also on-site in Annapolis during the final days and hours before the votes encouraging legislators to vote for these bills. Our active social media community helped to garner awareness and gain support and we are glad that everyone’s hard work paid off for the future of solar!

Governor Martin O’Malley signs S.B. 791 and H.B. 1187 into law. Standard Solar CEO Tony Clifford (center, standing) and Residential Engineer Marcus Joyner (3rd from right, standing) were on hand to support the legislation.

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=70254
Hecht proposes solar bill
Legislation designed to protect homeowners who want to put up panels
Originally published January 21, 2008

By Meg Bernhardt
News-Post Staff

“… Tony Clifford, president of Gaithersburg-based Standard Solar Inc., has worked with a few Maryland HOAs since his company started about 18 months ago.

Standard Solar installs solar panels throughout the region, including in Frederick County. He said the associations haven’t objected to the panels, but often their regulations were written before resident solar panels were an option.

Regulations will often specify that roofs be a certain style, and that doesn’t include solar panels. Clifford said he has been able to work with the groups to get those rules changed.

“I think that they realized that times have changed since those regulations were written and this was something that people in their community wanted to do.”

He believes Hecht’s bill is a good idea because there have been problems in other states. It is proactive to tackle the issue before a problem arises, he said. …”

read the full article at:

• http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=70254
• http://www.nbc4.com/politics/15103397/detail.html
• http://wjz.com/local/solar.panels.homeowner.2.634636.html
• http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=598&sid=1330230