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Solar vendor outlines Maryland community-solar option for Brentwood residents
Summary
A representative from Solar on Earth explained Maryland's community-solar program to the Brentwood council, saying typical households see about a 10% credit and eligible low- and moderate-income (LMI) households can receive a 25% credit; the vendor urged town outreach and sign-up help for residents.
A representative of Solar on Earth told the Brentwood mayor and council on March 17 that Maryland's community-solar program could reduce many residents' Pepco bills by offering bill credits tied to remote solar farms.
"My name is Leo, with a company called Solar on Earth," the presenter said, and explained the structure: community solar farms enroll in a state program and assign bill credits to subscribing Pepco customers. "For a regular residence, it's a 10% discount ... For people that have, the low to moderate income community ... they get a 25% discount off their utility bill over the course of the year," he said.
Leo said the town could not yet enroll municipal meters because of the way Pepco classifies meters, but he urged Brentwood to help residents access the program via outreach materials, an on‑town liaison, door‑to‑door assistance or a signup link. He estimated the program could save many households roughly $75–$100 per month on electric bills in the examples he cited, or about $1,200 a year for some customers.
Council members and residents focused questions on how people would sign up, how low‑income verification would work and whether Spanish‑language materials would be available. Vice Mayor Jerry Burgess asked for clear language for a town newsletter or flyer; Burgess said the town could help with translation and targeted outreach. Leo offered to leave printed materials and to work with the town to set up a contact link.
Leo also noted that subscriptions are finite because each solar farm is a limited size and once a farm fills, residents must wait for another project to open. He said cancellation windows vary by contract—he described 90‑ to 180‑day timelines he uses in practice—and said there are no cancellation fees when accounts close.
The presentation concluded with the council asking staff to follow up on outreach materials and to evaluate whether the town can host a workshop or table at upcoming events. The mayor said staff would collect the vendor's materials and consider including a signup link in town communications.
What happens next: The presenter left informational materials with town staff and agreed to coordinate on outreach and possible workshops; the council asked the town administrator to follow up with the vendor and communications staff.
