Maryland Clean Energy Center Awarded $62.45 Million by EPA for Residential Solar Projects

The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) has been awarded $62.45 million by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Solar for All grant competition. The funding will be used to deliver affordable and clean energy to low-income households and disadvantaged communities across Maryland.

The Solar for All program, part of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund created under President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, aims to enable over 900,000 households nationwide in low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed solar energy. The EPA estimates the program will generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills and reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.

The MCEC will work with a coalition of government, industry, utility, academic, and non-profit organizations to mobilize capital, facilitate workforce preparedness, and build capacity for eligible communities to access the benefits of solar energy. The program will serve both single-family and multi-family residential properties, offering financial assistance in the form of grants, direct lending, credit enhancements, subordination agreements, and equity investments.

Why this matters: This funding will help close the equity gap in access to solar energy and provide opportunities for employment in clean energy and climate resilience jobs throughout Maryland. The program is anticipated to reduce energy burden and provide ownership opportunities for over 10,000 qualified eligible households in the state.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore praised the award, stating, "This funding will allow us to expand the reach of our existing rooftop solar program and create new financial programs to increase access to solar power for those who need it most. It's a critical step in our efforts to address climate change and improve the quality of life for all Marylanders." The program is a collaborative effort and is anticipated to unlock over 4 gigawatts of solar energy capacity for low-income communities in Maryland over the next five years.

Key Takeaways

• MCEC awarded $62.45M by EPA for Solar for All program to deliver affordable clean energy.
• Solar for All aims to enable 900,000+ low-income households nationwide to access solar energy.
• MCEC to work with coalition to mobilize capital, train workforce, and build community capacity.
• Program to serve single-family and multi-family homes, offering financial assistance.
• Program anticipated to reduce energy burden and provide solar ownership for 10,000+ households.