Federal Incentives

New solar thermal and photovoltaic installations may qualify for a 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Read SEIA's FAQ to learn more about the qualifications for this important tax credit, not due to expire until December 31, 2016.

Maryland Incentives

The best source of information on all state incentives including Maryland is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE)

Maryland's Solar Energy Grant Program administered by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), provides financial incentives to homeowners, businesses, local governments and non-profit organizations that install solar water-heating systems or photovoltaic systems (grid-connected and off-grid).

From the MEA website (as of 8/30/10):

The Maryland Energy Administration's budget for its residential solar and geothermal grant programs has seen a near ten-fold increase over the last two years. Fiscal year 2010 was a record funding year for MEA; supported by funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) as well as proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), MEA was able to award grants to more than 2,000 Maryland residents and small business owners.

Demand for MEA's residential Solar Energy Grant Program remains high with several hundred applicants still awaiting grant approval. With the strong rate of incoming applications, MEA has now reserved all of its budgeted ARRA funds for its residential solar grant program. Out of a desire to extend our solar and geothermal grant programs beyond this fiscal year to continue reaching as many Marylanders as possible, MEA is announcing an update to the calculation of our Solar PV, Solar Hot Water grants. (See the MEA web page for more details.)