Maryland Energy Administration

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Financial Resources

MD Clean Buildings Hub (1).png​There are several federal, state, utility, and local incentives that commercial building owners can leverage and stack to improve building efficiency, reduce on-site emissions, electrify fossil fuel-powered systems, and generate onsite renewable energy. ​
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Tip: Access the Energy Savings Performance Contracting and Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) webpages for more information on upfront financing for energy efficiency projects.
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The Maryland Clean Buildings Hub (the Hub), an initiative of the Maryland Energy Administration, is committed to connecting Maryland property owners with resources to navigate commercial building upgrades. Have questions? Contact [email protected]​.

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​​​MEA Grant & Loan​ Programs

​The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) offers a variety of grant and loan programs for building owners seeking to make upgrades to their facilities.

  • Commercial & Industrial Grant Program: This program provides eligible commercial buildings funding for cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation upgrades for existing, major renovation, and new construction projects that are above minimum code and performance standards and claim at least 20% energy savings.
  • Commercial Solar Grant Program: This program provides funding for solar PV systems that will be owned by or directly benefit (1) low-to-moderate income communities located in a census tract with an average median income at or below 80% of the average median income for the State, or (2) overburdened or underserved communities.
  • Decarbonizing Public Schools Grant Program​: This program provides incentives for school districts looking to expand their capacity to manage energy data and reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions while planning for future high-performance schools.
  • Higher Education Clean Energy Grant Program: This program provides funding to Maryland’s Institutions of Higher Education​ for the adoption of on-site renewable energy technologies, the integration of strategic energy planning into operations and academic curricula, and the advancement of workforce development in the renewable energy sector. ​
  • Residential Energy Equity Grant Program​: This program combines the former Energy Efficiency Equity Program and Solar Energy Equity Program for the convenience of organizations serving residential buildings and is open to non-profit organizations and local government entities. It offers funding to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that benefit Maryland residents with low-to-moderate incomes. 
  • Mechanical Insulation Grant Program: This program provides grants for installing mechanical insulation in industrial and commercial facilities to reduce energy waste, thereby enabling energy-saving improvements to large-scale thermal distribution networks.
  • Resilient Maryland Grant Program: This program provides funding to Maryland communities and organizations to offset the costs of planning, designing, and constructing microgrids, resilient facility power systems, ​and resiliency hubs.
  • Home Energy Rebates Program: The Maryland Energy Administration will be administering the two rebate programs created in the Inflation Reduction Act. ​

​DHCD Funding & Loan Programs

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers a range of programs designed to help Maryland residents make crucial home upgrades through its Whole Home Energy and Repairs Division. 

Eligible households may apply to multiple DHCD programs using its One-Stop Shop Application. After DHCD receives an application, they will qualify the applicant for as many funding sources as possible. Once eligibility is confirmed, the applicant will receive a letter from DHCD with an assigned contractor. To learn more about the individual requirements for each funding source, please review the information below:
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  • Weatherization Assistance Program: WAP is a federally-funded program that assists income-eligible homeowners and renters by reducing heating and cooling costs through energy-conservation measures.
  • Net Zero Loan Program:​ Provides low-interest construction loans and loan enhancements for private construction loans for eligible energy efficient homes that produce as much or more energy than they will use.​
  • BeSMART Energy Efficiency Loan for Homeowners Program:​ Provides financing to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of residential homes. By replacing and upgrading appliances, heating, ventilation and cooling systems, and whole house envelope improvements, homeowners can save on their utility bills.​

​​​Department of General Service (DGS) Programs


  • Energy Savings Performance Contracting - DGS manages an energy performance contracting program for State agencies. Through this program, DGS collaborates with state agen​cies to identify potential projects, sites, and buildings for projects.
  • ​Decarbonization Task Order - DGS has selected three engineering firms to assist local governments and nonprofits with decarbonization and building energy performance standards (BEPS) compliance planning. Eligible entities benefit from an expedited procurement process by pursuing a work order for the firms’ services via DGS. Interested parties may contact David St. Jean, Director of Sustainability.

​​Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) Programs​

MCEC is Maryland’s green bank. MCEC provides innovative financing, climate tech innovation, and project development support to advance decarbonization. 

  • Clean Energy Advantage Loan Program: This program provides low-interest financing for residential energy improvements including home energy efficient heating and air conditioning systems, water heating systems, windows and doors, whole home insulation, and weatherproofing – regardless of income level.

​Federal Programs

  • Sec. 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit: Homeowners may be eligible for a tax credit up to 30% (or a $3,200 annual maximum) for eligible energy efficiency improvements, including home energy audits, electrical panel upgrades, heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, and weatherization measures. This tax credit will expire on December 31, 2025.
  • Sec. 25D Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit: Homeowners may be eligible for a tax credit that equals 30% of the costs of new, qualified clean energy measures in a home installed between 2022-2032. The credit percentage rate phases down. This tax credit will expire on December 31, 2025.
  • Sec. 45L Zero Energy Ready Homes Tax Credit: Builders of qualified new energy efficient homes (single-family and manufactured) may be eligible for the 45L tax credit. To earn the tax credit, homes must participate in the ENERGY STAR Single Family New Homes Program or the ENERGY STAR Manufactured New Homes Program. This tax credit will expire on July 1, 2026.
  • 504 Loans​: The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides long-term, fixed rate financing (up to $5.5 million) for major fixed assets that promote business growth and job creation. Loans can be used for the improvement or modernization of existing facilities, such as retrofit work.
​Utility Programs
EmPOWER Maryland​: Ratepayers located in the following service territories can access energy efficiency-related incentives through their utility.

Maryland’s local governments also may provide incentives for building upgrades. Please review the financial opportunities below and discover whether any may apply to your building upgrades.

  • Anne Arundel County Geothermal Tax Credit: Anne Arundel County residents may be able to claim a one‐time tax credit from County real property taxes levied on residential dwellings that install geothermal energy devices. 

  • Anne Arundel County Solar Tax Credit: Anne Arundel County residents may be able to claim a one‐time tax credit from County real property taxes levied on residential dwellings that install solar energy devices. 
  • Baltimore County Energy Conservation Devices Tax Credit: Offers assistance to single and multi-family residential property owners who utilize solar or geothermal devices that meet national safety and performance standards to heat, cool and supply electricity and to provide hot water for use in the structure.
  • Montgomery County Green Bank Technical Assistance Program: Supports decarbonization pre-implementation study costs for commercial building owners. Studies may include ASHRAE audits and/or targeted analyses into a broad range of energy-related project types such as benchmarking, energy efficiency, renewable energy, electrification, EV charging infrastructure, and resiliency. 

  • Montgomery County Green Bank Structured Financing: ​Commercial buildings located in Montgomery County with complex financing needs may be able to leverage the Montgomery County Green Bank’s Structured Financing program. 

​Financing Tools​​

  • Department of Energy (DOE) Financing Navigator: DOE’s Financing Navigator helps non-residential building owners explore an array of financing choices and identify relevant financing options for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
  • ENERGY STAR Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator: The Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator helps building owners estimate how much new equipment can be financed using anticipated savings, as well as help answer questions such as whether an owner should finance now or wait for a lower interest rate.
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Maryland Energy Administration
1800 Washington Blvd.
Suite 755, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 537-4000 | 1-800-72-ENERGY