The Maryland Energy Administration launched the initiative FY25 SolarAPP+ Implementation Grant Program. Streamline Solar for Maryland, a coalition of leading environmental and community advocacy groups including Solar United Neighbors, Permit Power, Sierra Club, Environment Maryland, Maryland Rooftop Solar Coalition and the Solar Energy Industry Association, celebrated the opening of grant applications and the future of immediate consent across the state. The program will provide financial assistance to counties, cities, towns and other local jurisdictions in Maryland to expedite the solar plan review and permitting process through the adoption of the U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory SolarAPP+ software platform.
The Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024 mandated the use of automated solar permitting software for Maryland jurisdictions. Local governments can adopt various software to meet the needs of the Brighter Tomorrow Act. The most popular is the implementation of SolarAPP+. By offering grants to implement SolarAPP+, the Maryland Energy Administration is taking an important step toward streamlining solar installations and encouraging the adoption of safe, renewable energy across the state. While use of SolarAPP+ is free for jurisdictions, the grant program will fund costs associated with implementing SolarAPP+, including contractual support, staff training and software integration.
“SolarAPP+ is revolutionizing the solar permitting process by automating approvals and ensuring safety compliance, allowing local governments to issue permits immediately,” said Paul Pinsky, director of Maryland Energy Administration. “This innovative platform not only significantly reduces wait times for homeowners and installers, but also allows communities to accelerate their transition to clean energy, making solar energy more accessible and efficient than ever before.”
The program has a budget of approximately $3.9 million that can be allocated to local governments to help them implement direct permitting with SolarAPP+. The application deadline is April 1, 2025. Local authorities interested in applying can find more information here here.
“Maryland is leading the way with both the Brighter Tomorrow Act and the grant program. Local governments now have the resources to immediately issue permits to families wanting to install rooftop solar and home batteries,” said Hannah Birnbaum, head of advocacy at Permit Power. “Communities across the state will benefit from easier and faster rooftop solar installations.”
News item from the MEA
