Maryland Governor Wes Moore has unveiled a revamped US$2 million initiative aimed at cutting electricity costs and enhancing grid resilience by expanding access to battery energy storage systems across the state. Announced under the newly reshaped Residential and Commercial Energy Storage (RCES) Program, the initiative will provide rebates to cover the purchase and installation of battery systems for both households and businesses.
Governor Moore emphasised that the programme forms part of the state’s wider push to make clean energy more affordable and reliable for residents. “When we invest in clean energy, we help expand supply,” he said. “When we expand supply, we help rein in utility expenses for everyone.” He added that the effort is focused on building a more affordable, resilient, and competitive Maryland.
The RCES programme, previously structured as a tax credit, has been redesigned to better meet the needs of Maryland’s evolving energy market. The shift to a rebate-based approach aims to make battery storage technologies financially accessible to a wider range of users, thereby supporting grid reliability and advancing statewide clean energy and climate goals.
Open to both residential and commercial applicants, the programme will allow participants to install qualifying battery storage systems that can store electricity for later use – either during peak demand periods or in the event of power outages. By allowing users to shift their energy use to lower-cost times of day, the systems can also contribute to lower monthly utility bills.
Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky noted that increasing storm severity due to climate change poses growing risks to grid reliability. He said the new initiative will help strengthen emergency preparedness and resilience for communities across the state.
When paired with rooftop solar, battery energy storage systems can enable users to store clean, locally generated energy for use after sunset or during grid interruptions, supporting Maryland’s ongoing transition to a more sustainable and secure energy future.
