Maryland Energy Administration Spring 2021 Newsletter

IKEA Baltimore Revs Up Onsite Clean Energy Generation with Solar Canopy Grant

Read how IKEA used their $200K Solar Parking Canopy grant from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to help fund the installation of a 1,575kW solar canopy above their Baltimore store. Along with the solar canopy installation, IKEA also installed four Level 2 EV chargers, a requirement for all solar canopy projects receiving an award from MEA. The canopy is already paying off, saving this IKEA location 57% off their energy bill between September – December 2020, read more here.

Maryland Energy Administration Program Brings Solar Energy to Low and Moderate Income Renters in Marylanders

Yielding a 25% Reduction in Energy Costs for 20 Years

Read about the new option for the low and moderate income renters to receive the benefits from solar energy through an initiative called “community solar”. Under the Community Solar Pilot Program (a program overseen by the Maryland Public Service Commission), Maryland residents can “subscribe” for solar energy from a “subscriber organization”, and thus receive the benefits of solar energy as if it were on their roof, even though the solar panels may be miles away. Click here to keep reading.

Combining Earth Day 2021 & Bring Your Kid (Pets too) to Work Day

Everyday should be Earth Day and this year, MEA combined two events to share clean energy facts and free resources for students K-12. We are excited to showcase several STEM career videos that highlight career opportunities supporting clean energy. Our team enjoyed sharing photos from home (mostly pets), read on here

Climate Change and the benefits of Nuclear Energy

Read the latest column from MEA’s Senior Energy Advisor, Carl Laverghetta on the benefits of nuclear energy and impact on climate change here.

Maryland Energy Administration Provides $6.5 Million for Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Strategic Energy Investment  Fund Aids 1,200 Low-to-Moderate Income Homes

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) awarded $6.5 million in Low-to-Moderate Income Energy Efficiency (LMI) to over 1,200 homes across the state.

“This energy efficiency program improves the health and safety of Marylanders who are most in need,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Our administration is proud to support this vital program, which maximizes the ability of the state government to partner with businesses and nonprofits to create jobs and help low-to-moderate income communities thrive.”

Read more about this MEA award story here

Awards $1.6 Million for Parking Lot Solar Upgrades

Eight New Solar Parking Canopies; 35 Electric Vehicles Chargers

Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) awarded $1.6 million in grants to build 8 new solar parking canopies, with 35 new electric vehicle charging stations, that are expected to generate 4,520,000 kWh of clean, renewable energy annually; or enough energy to power more than 370 Maryland homes for a year. Funding for this project is made possible by the MEA Parking Lot Solar PV Canopy with EV Charger Grant Program, which is funded by the Strategic Energy Investment Fund. Through this MEA program, new solar parking canopies will be constructed in Baltimore City, Howard, Talbot, Montgomery and Washington counties, read more here.

Maryland Energy Administration and The Brattle Group Release Study on PJM Capacity Market and Minimum Offer Price Rule

Last year, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) commissioned a study from The Brattle Group to better understand PJM’s capacity market under the Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) and its impact on Maryland. The study examines alternatives and approaches to the PJM capacity market under MOPR and provides recommendations for the state going forward. Read more and get the report here.

Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credits Available for Residential and Commercial Systems

The Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credit Program is open to Maryland residential and commercial taxpayers who have installed a qualifying energy storage system during Tax Year 2021 (January 1 – December 31, 2021).  Tax credits are calculated as 30% of the total installed cost of the energy storage system, up to $5,000 for residential or $150,000 for commercial. Apply today via our website.