The Maryland Energy Administration today announced the launch of an important new program to provide income-eligible households in Maryland with significant incentives to install solar panels. Included in the Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024 The new Maryland Solar Access program, recently signed into law by Governor Wes Moore, will spur solar energy development in the state and make it easier for more Marylanders to reduce both their energy bills and their carbon footprint.
The Maryland Solar Access Program will provide up to $7,500 per eligible household, based on a $750 incentive per installed kilowatt-hour of DC solar capacity. The levels of individual incentive and total investment are closely aligned with the recommendations of the Maryland Task Force 2023 to Study Solar Incentives.
“The Maryland Solar Access program will help hardworking Marylanders and their families enjoy the cost and community benefits of solar energy. Solar energy is affordable, clean and vital to helping us achieve our energy and climate goals under the Climate Solutions Now Act,” said Paul G. Pinsky, Director of Maryland Energy Administration. “By providing a significant incentive to Maryland residents who need it most, the Maryland Solar Access program will connect people to solar cost savings who would otherwise likely never receive it.”
Grants for the Maryland Solar Access Program are reserved from eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Solar systems purchased or owned by third parties are eligible. The agency will provide full information on eligibility requirements, rules and restrictions in a funding opportunity announcement later this year.
In the meantime, interested parties can contact the Maryland Energy Administration Maryland Solar Access Program web page to assess the letter of intent and the request for information. There, they can respond to a series of questions to help the agency maximize the program’s impact and inform program design. Comments must be submitted by 3:00 PM ET, June 30, 2024.
The Solar Access program will follow the agency’s long-running Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program, which will be offered one final time from July 1 to November 30, or until funding runs out. Visit this for more information web page.
The Maryland Energy Administration also welcomed other components of the Brighter Tomorrow Act, such as a measure to promote standardized residential solar permits through automated online software, including the Solar Automated Permit Processing Plus, or SolarAPP+. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed this innovative technology, for which the Maryland Energy Administration will make grants available to local governments through a new federally funded pilot program.
“Simplifying and streamlining ‘going solar’ through SolarAPP+ will help Maryland communities accelerate permitting times,” said Director Pinsky. “The Maryland Energy Administration looks forward to working with our colleagues in local government to help them achieve an efficient and equitable process for every Marylander so that the clean energy transition leaves no one behind.”
News item from the Maryland Energy Administration
