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Program Update January 6, 2010:
Starting March 12, 2010 all solar energy grant application materials should be mailed to MEA’s new office location at:
ATTN: Solar Energy Grant Program
Maryland Energy Administration
60 West St. Suite 300
Annapolis, MD 21401
Davis-Bacon Act – prevailing wage requirement removed for residential installations:
On December 30, 2009 the US Department of Energy released a memo making a final determination that rebates to individual homeowners for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to an individual’s home are no longer subject to Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements. As a result, applicants who are individual homeowners are no longer required to submit contractor’s payroll forms with their PV or solar hot water Completion Certificate (Attachment B) in order to receive an MEA solar grant. Applicants who are registered businesses, 1 organizations and/or government entities will still need to ensure that Davis-Bacon Act requirements are met and will have to produce certified payroll forms to be eligible for an MEA grant.
Maryland Historic Trust Review
State and Federal law provides for a review of projects that have the potential to impact properties deemed historically significant if they are funded in whole or in part by public funds. Projects funded by Maryland’s solar energy grant program qualify for review by the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT). Review the Maryland Historical Review Guidance Document prior to submitting an application.
If your site is on a local, state, or national Register of Historic Properties, please contact the Maryland Historical Trust prior to submitting an application to MEA so that MHT can work with the installer on system design.
If your site is within a Historic District or the structure is more than 45 years old, and the proposed installation would be clearly visible from the front façade of the building, please contact the Maryland Historical Trust prior to submitting an application to MEA so that MHT can work with the installer on system design.
If your site meets any of the above criteria, submit the Maryland Historical Trust Project Review Form along with a map, photographs of the project site, and a brief description of the proposed work to MHT. The Maryland Historical Trust will respond with either confirmation that the work will not be adverse or with detailed comments about how to proceed. Contact Fred Shoken at fshoken@energy.state.md.us with any questions regarding the Project Review Form or Maryland Historical Trust review in general.
If your site is less than 45 years old and not in a Historic District or the proposed installation would not be visible from the front façade(s) of the building, you do not need to submit a Maryland Historical Trust Project Review Form. However, you must submit an ariel photo with sketch of proposed project location (Google image acceptable) or photos of site including building facades along with the MEA grant application to qualify for an expedited historic review. For more information please review Maryland Historic Trust Review Guidance
Program Structure:
Solar Photovoltaic:
* $1.25/ watt for the first 2,000 watts of capacity
* $0.75/ watt for watts 2,001 – 8,000
* $0.25/ watt for watts 8,001 – 20,000
System must be under 20kW to be eligible; maximum grant amount is $10,000.
Solar Hot Water:
* 30% of the installed cost up to $2,000 maximum grant.
How to Apply:
Applicants must take the following steps before submitting an application package:
* Complete, sign, and date the Pre-Qualification Form
* Complete, sign, and date the:
o 2-page Application Form (PV); or
o 2-page Application Form (Solar Hot Water)
* Review, sign, and date
o The Solar Grant Program Terms and Conditions Revised Jan 2010 (Attachment A for PV); or
o The Solar Grant Program Terms and Conditions Revised Jan 2010 (Attachment A for SHW)
o As well as read the ARRA Addendum – Special Terms and Conditions for ARRA-Funded Grants Revised Jan 2010
* Complete, and submit a Maryland Historical Trust Project Review Form (only if property is located within a Historic District or structure is more than 50 years old)
* Obtain:
o A signed cost estimate, purchase order, or letter of intent from your installer (If you are performing a self-install you will still need to fill this requirement)
o A system schematic or line drawing exhibiting the roof dimensions, including angle, length, and width (if installed on a roof); and the orientation and tilt of collectors or array.
o A shading analysis (if the system will be shaded between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at any time of year)
o Site map exhibiting the location of collectors or modules on the roof or location of collectors or modules on the property (image from Google Earth/Maps, or digital/print photograph is preferable, will satisfy MHT review supporting documentation)
Allocation of Grants
MEA anticipates sending out approximately 50 grant approvals at the beginning of each month for the remainder of FY 2010, or until all funds are fully committed. Please see Schedule of Grant Apprvoals to see when MEA anticipates approving your previously submitted application.
Please note, grant approvals will only be dispersed if MEA receives a signed and dated Grant Program Terms and Conditions (Attachment A) signifying that you fully understand the ARRA Addendum – Special Terms and Conditions for ARRA-Funded Grants, as well as passed Maryland Historical Trust review.
