Increasing the amount of renewable energy is one of the State's key policy goals. The Maryland Energy Administration is tasked with achieving the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). Currently, the RPS requires that 25% of energy sold in Maryland in 2020 come from qualified renewable energy resources, with 2% coming from qualified solar resources.
As of July 1, 2012, MEA recalculated the clean energy grant incentives based on several factors including available funds, economies of scale, a desire for more equitable distribution of funds, the cost of clean energy technologies, capacity factors, potential annual production, and data analysis from past clean energy awards. In September 2012, MEA adjusted the SWH installed capacity ranges, but kept the same total award cap, to encourage larger installed systems. Commercial Clean Energy Grant Program (CEGP) projects are eligible for either Small or Large Commercial grants, depending on installed capacity as defined in the following tables:
| Small Commercial Clean Energy Grant Incentives |
|---|
| Resource Conversion Technology |
Installed Capacity Range |
Award/Capacity Unit |
|---|
| Solar Photovoltaics (PV) |
1-99.99 kW |
$60/kW |
| Solar Water Heating (SWH) |
50-249.99 sq. ft. |
$20/sq. ft. |
| Geothermal Heating & Cooling (GHC) |
1-24.99 tons |
$180/ton |
| Wind |
Please see the Windswept Grant Program page. |
| Large Commercial Clean Energy Grant Incentives |
|---|
| Resource Conversion Technology |
Installed Capacity Range |
Award/Capacity Unit |
|---|
| Solar Photovoltaics (PV) |
100-200 kW |
$30/kW |
| Solar Water Heating (SWH) |
250-1,200 sq. ft. |
$10/sq. ft. (with total award capped at $5,000/project) |
| Geothermal Heating & Cooling (GHC) |
25-50 tons |
$90/ton |
| Wind |
Please see the Windswept Grant Program page. |
Grants are allocated on a first come/first served basis across technologies and are subject to change in amount and existence based on funding availability.
The project requirements are as follows:
- Installations must be located in Maryland.
- A project may not receive more than one grant.
- Applications have to be submitted to MEA within 12 months of installation.
- MEA cannot offer grants to a property held in a trust.
- Multiple projects on contiguous parcels of property will be considered one project.
ATTENTION: Solar PV Applicants - NABCEP Requirement
Projects that are installed on or after July 1, 2014, must be completed by installation contractors who maintain at least one staff member with a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners ("NABCEP") installation certification; or, for companies with at least 50 employees, at least one staff member with a NABCEP Installation Certification for every 25 non-administrative employees, except if an installation contractor has been registered to do business in Maryland for less than 12 months prior to the submission of an application for a grant.
Please download the Application Form, complete it according to the provided instructions, and mail it to:
Maryland Energy Administration
Attn: Residential Clean Energy Grant Program
1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 755
Baltimore, MD 21230
The following is a basic overview of the Commercial Clean Energy Grant Program process:
Grant applications must indicate who will be the Primary Point of Contact (PPC). The PPC is responsible for ensuring grant documentation is submitted in a timely, accurate, and complete manner. Please note the Commercial Clean Energy Grant Program is a two-step process.
There are two packages that the PPC must complete:
Purchased (Customer-owned) Systems
- Grant Application Package. The application package documents are electronic, allowing certain data to be validated for form and content.
- Grant Completion Package. Upon project completion, the PPC must submit a Commercial Completion Certificate and associated documentation to MEA.
Third Party-owned (TPO) Systems
- Please review the Third Party-owned Program Terms and Conditions:
- Grant Application Package. The application package documents are electronic, allowing certain data to be validated for form and content. Please download the application form for the respective clean energy technology below:
- Grant Completion Package. Upon project completion, the PPC must submit a Commercial Completion Certificate and associated documentation to MEA. Please download the application form for the respective clean energy technology below:
Please contact MEA for copies of the Third Party-owned (TPO) Application Form and Completion Certificate.
If you are a solar leasing company operating in Maryland, please contact cegp.mea@maryland.gov for a grant lease application.
Historic Review
Since MEA is required to assess the impact of Clean Energy Grants on historic resources, applicants must "pre-screen" their projects to reduce the odds of applications being rejected on historic preservation grounds. Prominent installations of clean energy systems on historic properties or properties within historic areas will not qualify for this grant program.
If you have any additional questions, you can contact MEA's historic preservation specialist via email at DLhistoric_MEA@maryland.gov.
Projects that are installed on or after July 1, 2014, have to be completed by installation contractors who maintain at least one staff member with a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners ("NABCEP") Installation Certification; or, for companies with at least 50 employees, at least one staff member with a NABCEP Installation Certification for every 25 non-administrative employees, except if an installation contractor has been registered to do business in Maryland for less than 12 months prior to the submission of an application for a grant.
Tax Status of Clean Energy Grants
Grants issued by the State of Maryland may be taxable. As the Maryland Energy Administration is unable to give tax advice, any tax-related questions should be directed to a qualified tax professional.
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)A Maryland-Eligible Renewable Energy Credit (REC) is equal to the environmental attributes associated with 1 megawatt-hour (1,000 kilowatt-hours) of energy generated by a qualified renewable energy system. For example, if a solar array produces 4,000 kWh over the course of a year, the system owner will receive 4 Solar RECs (SRECs). RECs are entirely separate from the energy generated by a renewable energy facility. RECs have monetary value and can be sold or traded to meet a supplier’s annual compliance obligations as part of Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). Monetary value from the sale of RECs is typically used to help drive down the cost of deploying renewable energy technologies. More information on how RECs work in the context of Maryland’s RPS can be found on Maryland’s Renewable Energy Sources page, here: http://energy.maryland.gov/Pages/Info/renewable.aspx.
The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) receives and reviews all applications for qualified renewable energy technologies.
Visit the Better Business Bureau website to check out a contractor, find a BBB-accredited contractor, or file a complaint about your experience. For more information or assistance, email cegp.mea@maryland.gov or call Brandon Bowser, MEA’s Clean Energy Grant Administrator, at 410-260-7183.
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