As the Maryland Energy Administration prepares to debut the new Maryland Solar Access Program for the fiscal year 2025 (FY25), it has issued a final pre-launch call for public input.
In accordance with the requirements of the Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024, the agency has a Request for information intended to gather information from the residential solar industry and the general public to help inform the program’s consumer protection policies. As the agency aims to open the application window for the program in January 2025, it strongly encourages comments to be submitted by November 26, 2024.
“The Maryland Energy Administration is rethinking the ways in which it promotes the growth of residential solar energy statewide, and the Maryland Solar Access Program will be one of the most important ways we move forward,” said Paul G. Pinsky, director of the Maryland Energy Administration. “This program will provide a much-needed source of support to put solar panels on the homes of Marylanders who need help most with their electric bills, reducing their household expenses while moving the state toward its climate goals.”
The predecessor to the long-running Maryland Solar Access Program Residential Clean Energy Rebate Programwill continue to accept applications for qualifying renewable energy technologies, postmarked by 5:00 PM ET, November 30, 2024. Maryland homeowners who have completed installation of qualifying systems and meet all eligibility requirements are encouraged to submit their rebate applications as soon as possible serve. to ensure efficient processing times.
The Maryland Energy Administration will open the FY25 Maryland Solar Access Program to applications in January 2025. The program will operate on a non-competitive, first-come, first-served basis. An upcoming announcement of funding opportunities will detail the full eligibility requirements and application process for the program.
As part of its commitment to success for the Maryland Solar Access Program, the Maryland Energy Administration will require any solar contractor wishing to participate in the program to be included on a list of participating contractors.
This list will ensure that contractors eligible for the Maryland Solar Access Program meet regulatory requirements under the Brighter Tomorrow Act and will be publicly available on the website Maryland Solar Access Program web page.
The List of Participating Contractors requires that each participating contractor:
- Licensed and registered to operate in the State of Maryland
- Has sufficient qualified staff
- Adheres to the program’s consumer protection policies
- Agrees to provide an agency-approved customer disclosure form highlighting customer rights, protections, and important system information for each signed contract submitted.
The Maryland Energy Administration will provide more information about the application process for the Participating Contractor List in the near future.
News release from the Maryland Energy Administration
