Project Sunburst
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) received funding through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) to promote clean, affordable, and reliable energy. As part of this initiative, MEA set aside a significant portion of this funding to promote the installation of renewable energy systems on public buildings in Maryland through Project Sunburst. In order to maximize available incentives and limit upfront costs, Project Sunburst Partners will host renewable energy systems and contract for the electricity generated through power purchase agreements (PPA).
Updates
Project Sunburst is no longer accepting applications. As of April 2011, Sunburst partners are at various stages in the construction process. Several projects are completed, with most scheduled to be commissioned by the end of June, 2011. If you're interested in installing a renewable energy systems on a public building in Maryland, apply for financial assistance through the Commercial Clean Energy Grant Program.
The MEA is pleased to announce that the following organizations have been selected as Project Sunburst Partners. The awards were announced by Governor Martin O'Malley on April 22, 2010. When complete, the addition of these projects will nearly triple the solar capacity currently on the grid.
Project Name |
Award Amount |
Size (KW) |
Anne Arundel Community College |
$750,000.00 |
750.0 |
Anne Arundel County Government |
$750,000.00 |
750.0 |
City of Baltimore |
$900,000.00 |
900.0 |
Coppin State University |
$500,000.00 |
500.0 |
Department of General Services (Architectural Studies) |
$120,000.00 |
0.0 |
Frederick County Public Schools |
$499,330.00 |
499.3 |
Harford County Public Schools |
$752,000.00 |
752.0 |
MD Aviation Administration at BWI |
$500,000.00 |
500.0 |
MD Port Administration |
$750,000.00 |
750.0 |
MD Transit Authority |
$500,000.00 |
500.0 |
NMWDA - Howard County Landfill |
$462,000.00 |
462.0 |
NMWDA - Montgomery County Transfer Station |
$280,800.00 |
280.8 |
Prince George County Government |
$493,000.00 |
493.0 |
St. Mary's County Public Schools |
$500,000.00 |
500.0 |
Talbot County Government |
$890,000.00 |
890.0 |
Town of Hancock |
$104,000.00 |
104.0 |
University MD at College Park |
$630,000.00 |
630.0 |
| Total awardees: 17 | $9,381,130.00 | 9261.1 |
How to Apply
Project Sunburst is no longer accepting applications.
Additional Requirements
Grant Resources
Buy American Guidance
- Buy American Act waiver for PV modules and ancillary items
- U.S. Department of Energy Buy American guidance
- Link to U.S. Department of Energy Buy American guidance documents
Davis-Bacon Guidance and Wage Determinations
- Sample Department of Labor (DOL)-certified Davis-Bacon payroll form
- Blank DOL-certified Davis-Bacon payroll form: This link will take you to Form WH-347. This form can be used to certify Davis-Bacon payrolls.
- DOE webinar on Davis-Bacon-certified payrolls (48 MB file): This is a large file but this webinar provides very detailed directions on how Davis-Bacon certified payrolls should be completed.
- 4/12/2010 Davis-Bacon Guidance (from DOE)
- 5/6/2010 Davis-Bacon Guidance (from DOE)
Maryland Department of Transportation Directory of Certified MBE and/or DBE Firms
- The Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Directory provides a reference source of firms certified by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) as MBE/DBEs.
- The MBE/DBE information is accessed by clicking on the box marked "MBE/DBE Directory." Directory users can search for MBE/DBE firms geographically by county and zip code, as well as by the type of service the firm provides.
Additional Information
MEA will provide a rebate of up to $1,000 per kilowatt-DC of photovoltaic (PV) capacity installed. These funds will be transferred from MEA to a Project Sunburst partner upon successful signing of a financeable PPA contract between the Sunburst partner and a renewable energy service provider, provided all requirements, terms and conditions have been met. If financing cannot be acquired, or other conditions prohibit the completion of the renewable energy project, the Sunburst partner must return the funds to MEA.
Scope
This agreement between MEA and Project Sunburst partner covers:
- Grant Funding
- Technical Support
Technical Support
There may be transaction costs associated with contracting for renewable energy. MEA’s goal is to reduce, to the extent possible, transaction costs related to identification of project host sites, request for proposal (RFP) development and evaluation, and power purchase agreement development and execution by sharing best practices between Sunburst partners and potentially retaining technical consultants to provide necessary support. MEA may provide other support as necessary, including assistance with Solar Renewable Energy Credits.
Questions and Comments
Please address questions and comments via e-mail to Kevin Lucas at klucas@energy.state.md.us.