The Maryland Energy Administration has launched the FY25 SolarAPP+ Implementation Grant Program. Streamline Solar for Maryland, a coalition of leading environmental and community advocacy groups, including Solar United Neighbors, Permit Power, Sierra Club, Environment Maryland, Maryland Rooftop Solar Coalition and the Solar Energy Industry Association, celebrated the opening of grant applications and the future of instant permitting across the state. The program will provide financial support to Maryland counties, cities, towns and other local jurisdictions to expedite the solar plan review and permitting process through the adoption of the U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory SolarAPP+ software platform.
The Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024 mandated the use of automated solar permitting software for Maryland jurisdictions. Local governments can adopt various softwares to meet the needs of the Brighter Tomorrow Act, the most popular is by implementing SolarAPP+. By offering grants to implement SolarAPP+, the Maryland Energy Administration is taking a significant step toward streamlining solar installations and boosting safe, renewable energy adoption across the state. While SolarAPP+ is free for jurisdictions to use, the grant program will fund costs associated with SolarAPP+ implementation, including contractual support, staff training and software integration.
“SolarAPP+ is revolutionizing the solar permitting process by automating approvals and ensuring safety compliance, allowing local governments to issue permits instantly,” said Maryland Energy Administration director Paul Pinsky. “This innovative platform not only significantly reduces wait times for homeowners and installers, but also empowers communities to accelerate their transition to clean energy, making solar power more accessible and efficient than ever before.”
The program has a budget of approximately $3.9 million to allocate to local governments to help them implement instant permitting with SolarAPP+. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2025. Local governments interested in applying can find more information here.
“Maryland is leading the way with both the Brighter Tomorrow Act and the grant program. Local governments now have the tools in place to issue instant permits for families looking to install rooftop solar and home batteries,” said Hannah Birnbaum, chief of advocacy at Permit Power. “Communities across the state will benefit from easier and fast rooftop solar installations.”
News item from the MEA