ANNOUNCEMENT ON FY26 COMMERCIAL SOLAR GRANT PROGRAM
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is pleased to announce that the FY26 Commercial and Canopy Solar Program (“CCSP”) is open!
Notable Changes to the Program in FY26:
- The FY26 Commercial and Canopy Solar Program combines two former MEA programs into one program: The Commercial Solar Grant Program and the Solar Canopy and Dual Use Technology Program. The combined program offers funding for rooftop-mounted systems, ground-mounted solar systems, and solar canopies over parking or bodies of water.
- The Program serves a more limited list of Eligible applicants.
- Participating parking facilities must be “EV ready” but installation of EV supply equipment is no longer required in conjunction with the solar canopy installation.
Participating parking facilities must be “EV ready” but installation of EV supply equipment is no longer required in conjunction with the solar canopy installation.
Program Purpose: The Commercial and Canopy Solar Program (CCSP) provides direct benefits to low-to-moderate income and overburdened communities. The program offers grant funding to support implementation of solar energy installations on commercial properties, including rooftop-mounted solar systems, ground-mounted solar systems, and solar canopies over parking or bodies of water. Solar PV systems purchased by applicants and third-party owned solar energy systems are eligible for grant funding.
Helping Maryland’s businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations increase access to solar energy technologies is key to meeting our State’s clean energy, energy affordability, and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
The program has two areas of interest:
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Area of Interest 1 - Equitable Solar Access for Organizations: Grants for nonprofits, businesses and other organizations that are registered to operate in Maryland that have been designated as, or are actively in the process of being designated as, a non-profit organization, a Small Business Enterprise (SBE), or are Veteran-Owned.
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Area of Interest 2 - Commercial Solar for Sustainability: Grants for Maryland businesses and organizations that own or operate eligible facilities.
Type of Program: Statewide Non-competitive, awarded on a First-Come, First-Served basis.
Program Application Deadline: 3:00 P.M. ET, Monday, February 11, 2026.
Funding: A total of up to $13,000,000 is expected to be available.
Grant Amounts: Grant amounts will be calculated using a formula, based on Area of Interest, solar PV installation type, and solar system capacity.
| 1: Equitable Commercial and Canopy Solar Program | Non-Canopy $2,000 / kWDC OR
90% of the Total Project Cost, WHICHEVER IS LOWER
| Non-Canopy $750 / kWDC
|
Canopy
$2,500 / kWDC OR
90% of the Total Project Cost, WHICHEVER IS LOWER
| Canopy $1,000 / kWDC
|
|
2: Commercial Solar for Sustainability | Non-canopy $1,700 / kWDC OR
75% of the Total Project Cost, WHICHEVER IS LOWER
| Non-canopy $750 / kWDC
|
Canopy $2,125 / kWDC OR
75% of the Total Project Cost, WHICHEVER IS LOWER
| Canopy $1,000 / kWDC
|
*The maximum grant award amount is $500,000 per property owner (and as further detailed in the FOA).
Program Documents: The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and application resources are provided in the links below. The FOA has all terms, conditions, rules, restrictions, and requirements for the Commercial and Canopy Solar Program. Please read the FOA fully before submitting an application to MEA.
Questions: Please contact
Meg Cefail, Energy Program Manager, about any questions regarding the Commercial and Canopy Solar Program. Meg can be reached at
[email protected], or by calling MEA's main line at 410.537.4000.
