East Meets Midwest: Why Maryland and Illinois Are Leading the Charge in Solar + Battery Projects
While California and Texas tend to grab the headlines about clean energy, states like Maryland, on the East Coast, and Illinois, in the Midwest, are emerging as powerhouses in the solar and battery storage industry. Geographically and demographically different from each other, both states are proving that solid policy, innovative programs, and growing market demand can make renewable energy thrive anywhere.
Maryland has become a hidden gem for solar + storage with its very ambitious renewable portfolio standards of 50% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% clean energy by 2040. It was the first state in the nation to provide an energy storage tax credit, a move that has truly made the adoption of batteries more affordable for homeowners and businesses alike. Given Maryland's dense population centers and its vulnerability to coastal storms, pairing solar with storage offers resilience and reliability that communities urgently need.
Meanwhile, Illinois leads in the Midwest with landmark policies such as the Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All programs. These policies expand access to solar for households, businesses, and whole communities, along with strong financial incentives for developers. With vast swaths of open land and a sturdy transmission network, Illinois is a perfect home for utility-scale solar and battery projects. The state's central position also makes it a major clean energy distribution hub into the Midwest.
What both states—Maryland and Illinois—have in common is an understanding that solar alone is not sufficient, and that battery storage is what completes the package to ensure efficiency and grid stability. Both are setting a very strong example for the rest of the country as they put into place forward-thinking policies and incentives meant to spur innovation on integrating renewable energy at scale.
These states represent two of the most exciting markets in the country for developers. To property owners, this growing demand for land to host solar and storage projects translates into new opportunities for long-term leasing income and participation in the clean energy transition.
Are you a landowner or an industrial roof owner? Join Telkes in leading the green energy revolution! Let us help you turn your property into a sustainable energy solution that benefits the planet. Visit Telkes today and discover how you can contribute to a cleaner future while maximizing your property's potential. Together, we can power a brighter, greener world!
