Gov. Wes Moore announced a new round of energy programs to help Marylanders cut their energy bills and control their own power supply.
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) will run the programs intended to offset the increasing electricity bills. The Moore-Miller administration and MEA are taking a multi-pronged approach to move towards the state’s climate goals and help Maryland families at the same time.
“When we invest in clean energy, we are not only cutting utility costs for the communities that need it the most, but protecting the environment in the process,” Moore said. “Investments in these programs are evidence of our continued commitment to increasing access to clean, reliable energy, while centering affordability and putting money back in the pockets of hardworking Maryland families.”
The programs are designed to make it easier for residents to choose their own local clean energy supply source, reduce energy use through efficiency, encourage the use of electric vehicles (EV), and install EV charging systems at their homes. MEA has also launched programs to electrify medium and heavy-duty (MHD) vehicles and help local jurisdictions with a more efficient permit process for home solar projects.
“At a time when utility bills are skyrocketing, these programs help Marylanders control their own power,” said Kelly Speakes-Backman, director of the Maryland Energy Administration. “Our programs target affordability directly for Maryland residents experiencing higher energy burdens. Energy efficient home improvements and residential solar panels, as well as home EV chargers, save Marylanders money.”
There are five programs so far that will be launched in Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 to achieve these goals. They include Residential Energy Equity, Maryland Solar Access, the EVSE rebate, the Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicle, and SolarAPP+ Implementation programs.
The Residential Energy Equity program provides grants to non-profit organizations and local governments to work directly with lower income residents on home energy efficiency projects. More than $40 million is available for energy efficiency home improvements and rooftop solar for income-qualified homeowners. Also income-dependent, the Maryland Solar Access program provides up to $7,500 per income-eligible household, based on an incentive of $750 per installed kilowatt of direct current solar capacity. There is $10 million anticipated for this fiscal year.
The EVSE rebate program helps defray the costs of installing electric vehicle charging equipment for homes. MEA expects up to $1.5 million will be available from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund for these rebates. The Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty (MD-HD) Zero-Emission Vehicle program offsets first costs of MD-HD onroad vehicles and equipment including delivery trucks, school buses, and high use offroad equipment. There is up to $10 million available for this fiscal year.
The SolarAPP+ Implementation Grant Program offsets implementation costs for incorporating SolarAPP+ automated residential solar and energy storage permitting software, such as contractual support, staff training costs, software integration costs, and others. There is up to $3.9 million is available for this program in FY27.
Funding opportunity announcements and detailed application instructions for all five programs are on the MEA website. Additional programs are expected to launch by fall of 2026.
