Governor Moore Announces $17 Million in Grants for Community Solar Projects

Governor Wes Moore has announced a significant investment of $17 million in grants aimed at expanding access to the Community Solar Grant Program across Maryland. This initiative seeks to provide income-qualified residents with the financial and environmental advantages of solar power, particularly benefiting those who rent their homes or are unable to install solar panels on their properties.

The Maryland Energy Administration is prioritizing projects situated on landfills or brownfields, intending to transform these underutilized areas into hubs for clean energy generation. A substantial portion of the funding, approximately $12 million, will be allocated to these specific types of projects. A key requirement for these landfill and brownfield-sited projects is that they must be subscribed to by low-income Marylanders. Under the program’s guidelines, half of the energy generated by these projects will be provided at no cost to households designated as low-income by the Maryland Department of Human Services, while the remaining half will be offered to low-income households at a 25% discount compared to their standard utility residential rates.

For community solar projects not located on landfills or brownfields, the program mandates that at least 15% of the generated electricity must be made available to low-income subscribers. These subscribers are guaranteed a minimum saving of 12% on their electricity costs, with many customers experiencing savings that significantly exceed this minimum, often reaching over 20%. This initiative aims to make solar energy more accessible and affordable for a broader segment of the state’s population.

The Community Solar Grant Program offers grants ranging from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $1 million for projects not situated on landfills or brownfields. For projects specifically located on landfills or brownfields, the maximum individual grant amount can reach up to $6 million, reflecting the larger scale and potential impact of these developments. Projects that have previously received funding through the Community Solar Pilot Program are ineligible to apply for this current round of grants. The Maryland Energy Administration will consider applications that include portfolios of smaller projects submitted under a single W-9 form.

The application window for this funding opportunity remains open until 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, December 23. Residents and organizations interested in learning more about the program or submitting an application can find additional information on the Maryland Energy Administration’s website.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore

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