Clean Energy Grant Program - Commercial Solar (Maryland)
From Open Energy Information
This is the approved revision of this page, as well as being the most recent.
Last modified on October 29, 2011.
Financial Incentive Program
| Place | Maryland |
|---|---|
| Name | Clean Energy Grant Program - Commercial Solar |
| Incentive Type | State Rebate Program |
| Applicable Sector | Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit |
| Eligible Technologies | Photovoltaics, Solar Water Heat |
| Active Incentive | Yes |
| Implementing Sector | State/Territory |
| Energy Category | Renewable Energy Incentive Programs |
| Amount | PV: 500/kW SWH: 15% of installed cost |
| Eligible System Size | PV: 200 kW maximum SWH: Systems must be larger than 100 square feet |
| Equipment Requirements | All equipment must be new; PV systems must be grid-tied and meet all applicable UL, IEEE, and NEC standards; SHW collectors must be SRCC OG-100 certified |
| Start Date | 11/06/2009 |
| Funding Source | Strategic Energy Investmen Fund (SEIF); The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) |
| Installation Requirements | Ground-mounted PV installations over 60 kW may be subject to NEPA requirements; system must be at least 70% shade free over the course of a year. |
| Maximum Incentive | PV: 50,000 SWH: 1,000 |
| Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits | Remains with project owner |
| Program Budget | FY2012: $1.5 million (total for commercial solar and wind incentives) |
| Program Administrator | Maryland Energy Administration |
| Website | http://energy.maryland.gov/Business/cleanenergygrants/index.html |
| Date added to DSIRE | 2009-11-09 |
| Last DSIRE Review | 10/29/2011 |
| Last Substantive Modification to Summary by DSIRE | 10/29/2011 |
| References | DSIRE[1] |
Summary
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is offering grants for mid-sized photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar water heating systems (SWH) installed by businesses, non-profits, and local governments. Incentives are set at $500 per kilowatt (kW) up to $50,000 for PV systems and 15% of installed cost up to $1,000 for SWH systems. In order to qualify for funding, PV projects must be less than 200 kW in size, although incentives limited to the first 100 kW of installed capacity. Solar hot water systems must have a collector area of at least 100 square feet.
All systems and components must be new and comply with standard equipment, installation, and warranty requirements intended to make sure that installations operate safely and effectively. There is a general requirement that a shading analysis must be performed if any portion of the system will be shaded from 9 AM to 3 PM during any part of the year. The system must be 70% shade free in aggregate over the course of a year. All PV systems must be grid-connected in order to qualify for a funding.
In addition, because the program uses federal economic stimulus (ARRA) money for PV systems, all PV installations must meet ARRA compliance and reporting requirements, most notably the federal prevailing wage requirement (i.e., Davis-Bacon Act). Ground-mounted PV installations of 60 kW or larger may also be subject to review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The overall mid-size renewables program (PV, SWH, and wind combined) has a budget of $1.5 million for Fiscal Year 2012 as reported by the MEA's FY2012 Program Book.
Please visit the program web site for further information on applications, qualification requirements, and more detailed information on the terms and conditions associated with using ARRA funding.
Incentive Contact
| Contact Name | Public Information Officer - MEA |
|---|---|
| Department | Maryland Energy Administration |
| Address | 60 West Street, 3rd Floor |
| Place | Annapolis, Maryland |
| Zip/Postal Code | 21401 |
| Phone | (410) 260-7655 |
| Phone 2 | (800) 723-6374 |
| meainfo@energy.state.md.us | |
| Website | http://www.energy.state.md.us |
- Incentive and policy data are reviewed and approved by the N.C. Solar Center's DSIRE project staff.[1]
References