Solar Canopy and Dual Use Technology Grant Program

Solar Canopy and Dual Use Technology Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Maryland Energy Administration
Amount: US $100,000 - US $250,000
Last Updated: May 20, 2025

Summary

The Solar Canopy and Dual Use Technology Grant Program offers funding for solar system installations that maximize land and water use efficiency. Eligible projects include solar canopies over parking areas and floating solar systems on water bodies, with specific criteria for evaluation. The Maryland Energy Administration supports projects up to $500 per kW-dc, encouraging innovative designs and accessibility for public use, particularly benefiting low-to-moderate income communities.

Overview

Background This program provides grant funding to support the installation of solar systems that provide multiple uses for land and water. The program encourages efficiency in land use by focusing solar development activities on areas used for other functions. The grant may be used for Solar Canopies on parking lots and parking garages, which include the installation of at least four (4) Level 2 or Level 3 electric vehicle chargers under or around the solar canopy. As a pilot, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is adding waterborne solar systems. While solar canopies over parking lots and waterborne solar installations are specifically included, other dual use opportunities may be proposed for consideration. Evaluation Criteria The primary element of the evaluation is the overall cost per watt of nameplate capacity: The total project cost per watt installed in the solar PV system. ($5,000/total cost per kW) Additional evaluation criteria include: Additional roof- or ground-mounted capacity installed in conjunction with a canopy system and located on the same real estate parcel. Additional solar capacity installed in conjunction with a floating solar system and located on the same body of water.The number and type of qualified EV chargers to be installed.Innovative project design and/or use. Located in a wastewater treatment pond, stormwater retention pond or private waterway. Any projects that propose installation on areas used for public recreation, water supply, or are generally considered navigable waterways must have the signed approval of each applicable regulatory authority BEFORE applying.Estimated accessibility of the proposed carport and the EV chargers to the public.The frequency of parking lot use.The geographic diversity of grants awarded. Award Formula MEA will provide up to $500 per kW-dc of new canopy mounted or floating solar PV installed per project, with a maximum award of $250,000 per project. MEA will provide up to $200 per kW-dc for upgrading old (>20 years old) solar PV modules on an existing solar canopy structure, with a cap of $100,000 per project, where the previous solar canopy system had not received a solar incentive payment from MEA. Anticipated Program Budget: $700,000. Projects will be given up to two years to be completed. NEW: As a pilot for FY24, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has added a new incentive category: a parking lot solar canopy used as a community solar array, that provides resilient power to critical infrastructure, or to one or more business(es) or organization(s) that are important for community continuity and wellbeing in power outage and emergency situations. Community solar arrays that support Maryland Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI), overburdened, and disadvantaged communities are strongly preferred.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible Applicants:BusinessesNon-profit organizations Not-for-profit educational institutionsState agenciesLocal governmentsPublic universities, community colleges and public schools Farmers with sole proprietorshipsEligible Activities: Grantees will either directly or through the use of Power Purchase Agreements, install solar systems that provide a dual use to parking lots, parking garages, or bodies of water. While solar canopies over parking lots and water borne solar installations are specifically included, other dual use opportunities may be proposed for consideration. The minimum project size is 75kW-dc.Only one MEA grant may be awarded per project.

Ineligibility

Please note that MEA will not include capacity greater than 500kW when determining the grant amount. No costs incurred by a Grantee prior to execution of a Grant Agreement will be reimbursed by MEA for a Project.