{"id":6282,"date":"2024-11-15T13:20:34","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T18:20:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mea\/?p=6282"},"modified":"2024-11-15T13:03:20","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T18:03:20","slug":"maryland-energy-administration-requests-public-input-on-new-solar-access-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mea\/2024\/11\/15\/maryland-energy-administration-requests-public-input-on-new-solar-access-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Energy Administration Requests Public Input on New Solar Access Program"},"content":{"rendered":"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/p>\n

Contact:\u00a0Tim Zink<\/a>\u00a0| 443-758-7344<\/p>\n

Agency issues a final call for public perspectives as it readies to launch ambitious, next-generation solar initiative for income-qualified Marylanders<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

BALTIMORE \u2013 As the Maryland Energy Administration prepares to debut the new <\/span>Maryland Solar Access Program<\/span><\/a> for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), it has issued a final pre-launch call for public input.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In line with the requirements of the Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024, the agency has published a <\/span>Request for Information<\/span><\/a> intended to gather information from the residential solar industry and general public to help inform the program\u2019s consumer protection policies. As the agency strives to open the program\u2019s application window in January 2025, it <\/span>highly encourages that comments be submitted by November 26, 2024.<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d <\/span>said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky.<\/b> \u201cThis 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.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Maryland Solar Access Program\u2019s predecessor, the long-running <\/span>Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program<\/span><\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/span>Maryland Solar Access Program webpage<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Participating Contractor List will require that each participating contractor:<\/span><\/p>\n