Maryland Solar Access Program (MSAP): Intro & Program Overview
The 2025 Maryland Solar Access Program is a $7,500 grant for eligible Maryland residents making the switch to solar starting in January of 2025. The grant is available on a first come, first served basis to applicants whose income does not exceed 150% of the average median income for Maryland, based on household size. The system must be a new system, not an expansion to an existing system, and must be installed by an MEA-approved contractor.
Purpose: The Maryland Solar Access Program (MSAP) was established by the Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024 to promote equitable access to solar photovoltaic (PV) technology for Maryland residents.
Administering Agency: The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is responsible for developing and implementing the MSAP, including consumer protections and eligibility criteria.
Goal: To ensure that consumers are treated fairly, informed about their rights, and protected against deceptive practices while promoting the growth of renewable energy.
Key Features: Provides grants to eligible, income-qualified homeowners for new solar PV systems.
Requires participating contractors to adhere to specific consumer protection policies.
Sets minimum benefit requirements for consumers to be eligible for a grant.
Operates with a budget of $15 million for FY25.
Statutory Basis: The program is mandated by the Brighter Tomorrow Act (Chapter 595, 2024 Acts of Maryland), and is referred to as the “Customer-sited Solar Grant Program” in the act.
Maryland Solar Access Program (MSAP): Key Dates & Timeline
Program Launch: The MSAP will begin accepting Step 1 applications for Reservation Certificates in January 2025.
Contract Requirement: Only executed solar contracts dated January 1, 2025, or later are eligible for the program.
Installation Deadline: Solar installations must be completed within 180 days of receiving a Step 1 Reservation Certificate (with an extension request process available).
Consumer Protection Policy Publication: You can find the most recent version published in December 2024 here
Eligibility Requirements
Income Limits: MSAP grants are limited to applicants whose annual household income does not exceed 150% of the average median income for Maryland, based on household size.
Examples:1-person household max: $128,430; 4-person household max: $183,375
System Type: Grants are only available for new solar PV systems (not expansions or existing systems).
Timing: Grant applications must be submitted prior to system installation.
Contractor Requirement: Must use a contractor from the MEA’s Participating Contractor List.
“If I use an installation contractor that is not posted on the Maryland Solar Access Program participating contractor list am I still eligible for a grant? Answer: No.”
Maryland Solar Access Program (MSAP): Grant Details
Grant Amount: Grants are based on system size at $750 per kilowatt (kW), up to a maximum grant of $7,500.
Grants are for new residential systems only, and cannot be combined with previously received Maryland Energy Administration Residential Clean Energy Rebates.
“MEA cannot award a Maryland Solar Access Grant to a solar PV system that has received a Maryland Energy Administration Residential Clean Energy Rebate. No exceptions.”
Consumer Protection Policy (Key Elements)
Right to Information: “Contracts and contract terms shall be written using plain language.” All pricing and costs should be clearly and prominently disclosed.
Right to Cancel: Consumers have the right to cancel a solar contract within 30 days of signing without any cost.
Right to Choose: Consumers have the right to choose their solar provider without undue pressure and can obtain multiple quotes.
Transparency: Solar providers must disclose all fees, costs, and potential risks. Savings projections must be based on verifiable data.
Licensing & Certification: Participating contractors must comply with licensing, certification requirements (including MHIC license and NABCEP certification). Also, must maintain applicable insurance coverage.
Minimum Benefits to the Consumer: Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs):0% escalator: First-year PPA rate must be at least 25% below the customer’s avoidable rate.
0% to ≤3% escalator: First-year PPA rate must be at least 35% below the customer’s avoidable rate.
Leases, Loans, Purchases: First-year costs must not exceed the equivalent maximum offer, with specific calculations to be provided by MEA.
MEA will publish and update customer’s “avoidable rate” twice yearly.
“For a solar power lease agreement, solar power loan agreement, or solar system purchase agreement, the grant application must demonstrate that the total costs for the first full year do not exceed the equivalent maximum offer.”
PPA and lease agreements cannot exceed 25 years with annual escalator of 3% or less.
Installation & Quality: Compliance with all codes and regulations, proper permitting, and Interconnection Agreements.
Equipment standards (UL 1703 and IEC 61730 for solar modules). Permanently installed equipment.
Warranty requirements: minimum 10-year workmanship, 25-year solar module material, 10-year inverter material.
“A minimum warranty period for workmanship must be 10 years.”
Third-party systems must have reasonable production guarantees.
Dispute Resolution: Contracts must include a dispute resolution process. MEA does not resolve disputes directly. Consumers are directed to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.
Avoidable Rate and Maximum Offer Calculations
Avoidable Rate: This is the customer’s current cost per kWh, which includes the standard offer service supply rate, delivery charges, and other charges offset by net-metering.
Avoidable rates are published by MEA for major Maryland utilities:
- PEPCO: $0.212/kWh
- BGE: $0.170/kWh
- Delmarva Power: $0.201/kWh
- Potomac Edison: $0.132/kWh
Maximum Offer for PPAs:
0% Escalator PPA: Max offer is 75% of the avoidable rate.
Examples: PEPCO $0.159/kWh, BGE $0.127/kWh
0% to ≤3% Escalator PPA: Max offer is 65% of the avoidable rate.
Examples: PEPCO $0.138/kWh, BGE $0.110/kWh
Maryland Solar Access Program (MSAP): Participating Contractors
MEA maintains a list of approved contractors who meet the program’s requirements. You’ll find us right at the top of that list.
Using a contractor from this list is mandatory for MSAP eligibility.
“MEA will require each solar PV installation contractor who wishes to participate in the Program to apply and be posted on a Participating Contractor List.”
Income Calculation
Gross Income: Includes wages, salaries, self-employment income, social security, pensions, dividends, interest, rental income, and lottery winnings.
Excluded Income: Includes capital gains, gifts, loans, tax refunds, college scholarships, child support, and some government assistance.
MEA refers to the DHCD definition of allowable vs excluded income when calculating gross income.
“Household annual gross income can be calculated by adding up the total income from all sources of every household member over a 12-month period, using the most recent income information available, and adjusting based on household size.”
Other Important Points
MEA encourages review of their consumer solar guide, “A Maryland Consumer’s Guide to Solar.”
The program will not recommend or endorse any specific solar installer.
Those ineligible for MSAP may still qualify for federal solar tax credits and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), which are managed by the Public Service Commission (PSC), not the MEA.
“Additionally, an owner of a residential solar PV system, regardless of income, is still eligible for solar renewable energy credits (“SRECs”, sometimes referred to as “solar renewable energy certificates”)”
Next Steps
Now that you understand the Maryland Solar Access Program, your next step is work with a participating contractor. You’ve come to the right place. Schedule a Free Solar Analysis and we’ll help make sure you’re taking advantage of every possible incentive you can.
