Maryland Energy Administration

Solar Energy Grant Program

Program Update for FY 2009: 

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is pleased to announce that through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), sufficient funds have been added to the Maryland Solar Energy Grant Program to cover all applicants who had previously been placed on the FY 2009 waitlist.  As a result of both Federal Stimulus funds and proceeds generated from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the Maryland Solar Energy Grant Program was able to offer grants to over 400 Maryland residents, businesses, and local governments wanting to install solar energy projects.   

Program Update for FY 2010:

Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has officially changed the structure of the solar energy grant program for FY 2010 (Any solar grant application received after December 1, 2008 automatically falls under the new guidelines).

New solar grant guidelines are as follows:

Photovoltaic systems:

• $1.25 per watt for the first 4,000 watts (DC) of capacity
• $1.00 per watt for watts 4,001–8,000
• $0.50 per watt for watts 8,001-10,000

The maximum grant amount remains at $10,000

Solar hot water systems:

• The lesser of $2,500 or 30 percent of the total installed cost of the solar water heating property.

Please note that MEA is still accepting and reviewing applications placing them in order on a waitlist for FY 2010.  It is the anticipation of MEA to offer grants to applicants placed on the current waitlist sometime after the start of the 2010 fiscal year which begins July 1, 2009, after new funding for Maryland’s Clean Energy Grant Programs has been approved.

Performing an energy audit in coherence with a solar energy grant:

It is the goal of The Maryland Energy Administration to ensure that an individual’s home or small business is as energy efficient as possible before electing to invest in a solar based clean energy system.  Therefore, the MEA will be implementing new regulations, likely to take affect by January 1, 2010, requiring that a suitable energy audit be conducted on any residential or small business property that a solar photovoltaic or solar hot water heating system will service prior to receiving a grant.  As a result, anyone currently on the FY 2010 waitlist will not be required to submit proof of a completed audit to receive a solar energy grant.  However, MEA strongly recommends that every grant applicant voluntarily has an energy audit performed on their property.  

How to Apply

• Please See: Application Process Information Sheet

Application Information

• Pre-Qualification Form
• Solar Water Heating Application Form *** Updated***
• Photovoltaic Solar Grant Application Form ***Updated***

Grant Awards Information

• Grant Awards Process Information Sheet (2 pages)
• Sample Terms & Conditions—Solar Water Heating (2 pages)
• Sample Terms & Conditions—Photovoltaics (2 pages)

Completion Information

• Solar Water Heating Completion Certificate (2 pages)
• Photovoltaic Solar Completion Certificate (2 pages)

Application Update Information (for previously submitted applications)

• Application Update Form

Additional Incentives

• Federal Tax Incentives
  • Solar PV systems placed in service after January 1, 2009 are eligible for a Federal Income Tax Credit equal to 30% of the total installed cost.
  • Solar PV systems placed in service prior to December 31, 2008 are eligible for a Federal Income Tax Credit up to $2,000.
  • Solar Hot Water systems placed in service after January 1, 2009 are eligible for a Federal Income Tax Credit equal to 30% of the total installed cost.
  • Solar Hot Water systems placed in service prior to December 31, 2008 are eligible for Federal Income Tax Credit up to $2,000.
• Maryland Net Energy Metering Statute
• County Incentives

Solar-Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)

Owners of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems can earn and sell credits based on the amount of electricity their system produces.

• Solar Renewable Energy Credits Information

Tax Status of Solar Grants

• Grants and 1099 tax forms

Technical Information

• Solar Water Heating
  • Quick Reference
  • Complete Consumer Guide
• Photovoltaic Solar Energy
  • Quick Reference
  • Complete Consumer Guide
• Solar Water Heaters – How They Work
  For a link to the US Department of Energy’s Web information on solar water heating click here.
• How Small Solar Electric Systems Work
  For a link to the US Department of Energy’s Web information on solar electric systems click here.
• Estimate Your PV System's Output with PV WATTS
  To calculate your PV system's potential output using the estimator provide by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) click here.
• Do-it-Yourself Case Study on Grid-Tied PV
  Robert A. Kessel

Additional Information

• Maryland Solar Roofs
• Federal Department of Energy Solar Information
• DOE Energy Savers Tips

For additional information, email meainfo@energy.state.md.us or call 1-800-72ENERGY.

Local Solar Industry Contacts

Peter Lowenthal, Director
Maryland, DC, Virginia - Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA)
4707 Elmhirst Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814-3954
Phone/fax: 301-530-5343
Email: info@mdv-seia.org
Web site: www.mdv-seia.org

Professional Solar Installers -Solar Estimate www.solar-estimate.org