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Maryland Energy Administration Requests Public Input on New Solar Access Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tim Zink | 443-758-7344

Agency issues a final call for public perspectives as it readies to launch ambitious, next-generation solar initiative for income-qualified Marylanders

BALTIMORE – As the Maryland Energy Administration prepares to debut the new Maryland Solar Access Program for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), it has issued a final pre-launch call for public input. 

In line with the requirements of the Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024, the agency has published a Request for Information intended to gather information from the residential solar industry and general public to help inform the program’s consumer protection policies. As the agency strives to open the program’s application window in January 2025, it highly encourages that comments be submitted by November 26, 2024.

“The Maryland Energy Administration is re-envisioning the ways it promotes the statewide growth of residential solar, and the Maryland Solar Access Program will be one of the key ways we move forward,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky. “This program will provide a much-needed source of support for putting solar panels on the homes of Marylanders who most need help with their electric bills, cutting their household expenses and moving the state toward its climate goals at the same time.”  

The Maryland Solar Access Program’s predecessor, the long-running Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program, will continue to accept applications for qualifying renewable energy technologies postmarked by 5:00 P.M. ET, November 30, 2024. Maryland homeowners who have completed the installation of qualifying systems and meet all eligibility requirements are encouraged to submit their rebate applications as soon as possible to help ensure efficient processing times. 

The Maryland Energy Administration will open the FY25 Maryland Solar Access Program for applications in January 2025. The program will operate on a noncompetitive, first-come, first-served basis. An upcoming Funding Opportunity Announcement will describe full eligibility requirements and the application process for the program.  

As part of its commitment to success for the Maryland Solar Access Program, the Maryland Energy Administration will require each solar installation contractor who wishes to participate in the program to apply for inclusion on a Participating Contractor List. 

This list will ensure that Maryland Solar Access Program-eligible contractors meet the statutory requirements under the Brighter Tomorrow Act, and will be publicly available on the Maryland Solar Access Program webpage. 

The Participating Contractor List will require that each participating contractor:

  • Is licensed and registered to operate in the State of Maryland
  • Has appropriately credentialed staff
  • Abides by the program’s consumer protection policy
  • Agrees to provide an agency-approved customer disclosure form highlighting customer rights, protections and important system information for every signed contract submitted.

The Maryland Energy Administration will provide more information about the application process for the Participating Contractor List in the near future.

The Maryland Energy Administration 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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