Solar has become a widely available and affordable source of clean, renewable energy. Innovations have increased the diversity of solar technology options and where it can be installed, including
capped landfills and other
brownfield sites. This is vitally important as Maryland continues to decarbonize and meet our State’s clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals. Governor Moore has set Maryland on the path to 100% clean energy by 2035, and the 2022 Climate Solutions Now Act (Chapter 38, 2022 Acts of Maryland) requires a 60% reduction in Maryland’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2031. Utilizing these sites that would otherwise remain vacant can help Maryland meet these goals while also helping to maximize the land use value for their owners and operators.
Viable landfill and other brownfield locations also hold high potential for siting community solar arrays due to their typical large size and open areas. Community solar allows a consumer to subscribe to one of these large systems and receive the clean energy benefits and cost savings that solar energy provides. This is a great option for residents that reside in multifamily housing, those who lease their homes, and residents whose properties are not ideally suited for solar energy. It also enhances equitable societal access to solar energy's benefits.
To help accelerate the identification of viable sites for solar energy in Maryland, the Maryland Energy Administration worked with the
Maryland Environmental Service to conduct an analysis of landfill and other brownfield locations in Maryland. Specifically, the analysis revealed which of them have the best potential for siting solar systems. Findings are provided in the Maryland Landfill Solar Assessment final report and supporting documents below.
2024 Maryland Landfill Solar Assessment - Final Report and Supporting Documents
The Maryland Energy Administration
highly encourages owners and operators of landfill and other brownfield sites identified in this report to consider pursuing solar technologies. Our agency offers a number of different
solar energy incentives to help bring down the cost and make solar more accessible. Interested parties should contact our Solar Energy Team by sending an email to
Solar.MEA@Maryland.gov, or by calling 410.537.4000.
