Constellation Energy Group Inc., a Baltimore, Maryland-based provider of energy products and services, has committed $90 million to help finance solar panel installations on commercial and government buildings. In order to be eligible for Constellation’s financial support, the project must be 500 kilowatts or larger, and must begin construction before mid-year 2010–which is only a couple of months away. (It seems like it was 2009 just yesterday…)

From the press release:

The capital commitment enables Constellation Energy to finance, design, construct and own solar installations for customers and supply the power generated on-site to the customer. This structure makes it possible for customers to deploy on-site solar and meet sustainability goals without incurring upfront costs. Approximately $18 million of the capital commitment has already been committed to projects soon to begin development in Maryland and New Jersey.

In addition to the aforementioned mid-Atlantic states, the energy provider is also targeting projects in Massachusetts, California and Pennsylvania, where pre-existing solar incentives make an investment in solar more manageable. In return for its help, Constellation will have ownership of the panels, although it would sell the power generated to the occupants of the sited building. While further details are wanting–how much of this $90 million remains to be doled out? How many companies have already signed up? What else is Constellation demanding?–one thing is for certain: Constellation has timed its announcement well, considering that Maryland’s General Assembly is currently looking at three bills with the potential to light up the state’s solar scene.