The Maryland Energy Administration launched the Mid-Sized Solar Energy Grant Program last week. The program provides incentives for businesses to install rooftop solar panels on their premises. The two environmentally-friendly technologies, solar photovoltaic used to converts sunlight into electricity, and solar water heating, that converts sunlight into heat energy that supplements traditional natural gas or electric water heating.
The Mid-Sized Solar Energy Grant Program is made possible by funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009(ARRA). Up to $1.45 million will be used to help defray the cost to Maryland businesses and non-profits who intend to install appropriately sized solar photovoltaic and solar hot water systems on their premises between now and the end of October, 2010.
The grant program will provide $500 per kW for the first 20 kilowatts of DC capacity, $250 per kW for kilowatts 21 to 50 and $150 per kW for kilowatts 51 to 100 for the solar photovoltaic. Systems must be between 20 and 100 kilowatts to be eligible; maximum grant amount is $25,000.
For solar hot water systems, the grants will cover 15 percent of the installed cost up to $25,000 maximum grant. The systems must be larger than 100 sq ft to be eligible.
Source: Maryland Energy Administration
Writer: Walaika Haskins