Maryland Launches New Program to Expand Use of Solar on Commercial Buildings in Underserved Communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tim Zink | 443-758-7344

Maryland Energy Administration’s new grant program focuses on expanding solar power on buildings that benefit low- to moderate-income Marylanders, overburdened neighborhoods

BALTIMORE – The Maryland Energy Administration today announced the opening of the new Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Commercial Solar Grant Program, which offers major incentives to Maryland businesses and organizations to help pay the costs of solar energy systems that benefit Maryland’s low-to-moderate income, overburdened and underserved communities. 

“The agency developed the Commercial Solar Grant Program to promote equitable access to commercial-scale solar systems through more meaningful and focused incentives,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky. “The Commercial Solar Grant Program promotes partnerships with companies and groups led by minorities, veterans and people with disabilities to ensure strong and lasting community benefits.”  

The FY25 Commercial Solar Program has a budget of $5 million. Enhanced incentives are available for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems by nonprofit organizations; Small Business Enterprises; Minority Business Enterprises;  Disadvantaged Business Enterprises; Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprises; and Veteran- and Disabled Veteran-owned businesses.

Grants also are available for businesses and other organizations with substantial energy needs that can benefit from larger-scale solar installations that reduce their energy costs and improve sustainability of their operations.​

Helping Maryland’s communities and the organizations that serve them become more sustainable is key to helping meet our clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals, and to help ensure that no Marylander is left behind in the process. This is especially important for communities that have historically faced challenges and disequities that have left them largely disadvantaged.

The FY25 Commercial Solar Grant Program is a first-come, first-served program that will accept applications on a rolling basis through 3:00 PM ET, March 31, 2025, or until funding is exhausted. 

Interested parties should contact Meg Cefail, Energy Program Manager, by sending an email to CommercialSolar.MEA@Maryland.gov to learn more or by calling (410) 537-4000.

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) promotes clean, affordable, reliable energy and energy-related greenhouse gas emission reductions to benefit Marylanders in a just and equitable manner. For more information about the agency and its programs, visit our website at Energy.Maryland.gov, and follow us on social media: LinkedIn | X | Facebook. 

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