FY 2025 Maryland SolarAPP+ Application

Welcome

The FY26 SolarAPP+ Implementation Grant Program provides grant funding to all Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), including counties and municipalities in the state of Maryland who issue solar permits. Funding is intended to offset the costs associated with implementing the free-to-use U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory SolarAPP+ solar permitting software into an AHJ’s current permitting process to streamline solar permitting in their jurisdiction.

Eligible uses of funding may include: staff time for training, integration with existing systems, potential fee adjustments, and IT resources related directly to the implementation of SolarAPP+. MEA will consider reimbursement requests for additional costs on a case-by-case basis.

Note: Funding under this program is only for the implementation of SolarAPP+ software.

Applications will be accepted until 3:00PM EST on January 31, 2026.
Anticipated Funding

The Program has a budget of $3,900,000 for projects under this Program. The Program is funded by federal dollars from the U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program. Grantees will be expected to meet certain federal funding requirements as a condition of receiving payment of Program funds
Grant Formula

Grant awards will be calculated formulaically as a base incentive of $10,000.00 and a scale factor of $0.95 per household serviced by the applying jurisdiction. Awards may not exceed $100,000.00 unless both a demonstrated need and funding availability after all other eligible applications have been funded according to the award formula
Eligible Applicants

All Maryland counties and municipalities are eligible for the Program.
Eligible Activities

Grants will be made on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants and may be used for staff hours related to the implementation of SolarAPP+ software and procedures. Eligible uses of funding includes: staff time for:

1. Training,

2. Integration with existing IT permit systems,

3. Developing new procedures and to integrate with existing systems and

4. IT resources for implementing SolarAPP+.

MEA will also consider requests for additional costs related to SolarAPP+ deployment on a case-by-case basis, with justification from the County or Municipality through a Needs Assessment.
Program Requirements:

Under the Program, Award Recipients will be required to implement and demonstrate the implementation of SolarAPP+ in their solar permitting process as well as provide community education and information about solar energy, adoption incentives, and how to apply for a residential solar permit under their jurisdiction.

The FY26 SolarAPP+ Implementation Grant Program is federally-funded from the U.S. DOE State Energy Program. Participation in the SolarAPP+ Implementation Grant Program requires compliance with certain federal requirements. Each grantee that is awarded a grant by this Program will be required to comply with these requirements, which will be incorporated into and made part of the grant agreement. Information about these federal requirements is available in Appendix 2 to this FOA
Questions Can be Directed to:

The MEA SolarAPP+ Implementation Team by sending an email to SolarAPP.MEA@Maryland.gov. You can also call MEA’s main phone line at 410.537.4000.
Application Checklist

Applicants must submit the following information as described in the corresponding Funding Announcement for their application to be considered complete. Before proceeding with your application, please ensure you have the following documents completed
Required Application Documents
Jurisdiction Contact Information

The following section will ask questions related to your organization
Jurisdiction Name*
Authorized Representative

First NameLast Name
Position Title
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Organization Webiste*
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
US Congressional District Number*
Maryland State Senator District Number*
Overview of Jurisdiction

The following section will ask questions related to the population served by your jurisdiction.
Please list the census tracts serviced by your Jurisdiction.
What is the total number of households in your jurisdiction?
What is the total population of your jurisdiction?
Overview of Existing Residential Solar Permitting Process

The following section will ask questions related to your existing permitting process.
Do you currently use an online permitting software for solar permitting?

YesNo
Which online permitting software do you currently use?
Please type the software your jurisdiction uses
Please list the steps necessary to successfully issue permit(s) required by the County or Municipality under the current process;
Which configuration method will your jurisdiction use to add SolarAPP+ into your current permitting structure?

IntegratedStandalone
Resource Description

Applicants must provide a description of the anticipated staff hours, broken out by staff category and all-in hourly rate, required to implement SolarAPP+.
Please select all categories your jurisdiction anticipates staff support to be needed for SolarAPP+ integration

TrainingFee adjustments to current permitting systemDeveloping new procedures and to integrate with existing systemsIT resources
Please list the staff time estimate in hours with hourly rate for SolarAPP+ Training
Please list the staff time estimate in hours with hourly rate to integrate SolarAPP+ with the jurisdiction's current permitting model
Please list the staff time estimate in hours with hourly rate to retain relevant IT and technical support for integrating SolarAPP+ with the jurisdiction's current permitting model
Please list the staff time estimate in hours to adjust installer fees as necessary under the jurisdiction's current permitting model to integrate SolarAPP+
Estimated time to complete project*
Example - 1 year 8 months
Will the project move forward if the applicant is selected to receive only a portion of the grant funds requested?*

YesMaybe/Not sureNo
Cost Breakdown

Applicants must provide a breakdown of the staff time costs necessary for successful integration of SolarAPP+ The breakdown should include a list of each line item and its associated cost, estimated as accurately as possible at the time of application.
Total Project Costs*
Total Grant Request*
Please attach a cost breakdown of each line item, and its associated cost, estimated as accurately as possible at the time of application. Justification for costs must be included, and must identify whether the cost will be 1. One Time, 2. Ongoing, and if so, include these costs in dollar per year ($/year), or 3. Temporary

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Past Work with NREL on SolarAPP+
Have you worked with NREL on SolarAPP+ in the past?*
Please describe your work with NREL on SolarAPP+
Third Party Good Standing
Do you intend to partner with any third party contractors on your integration of SolarAPP+?
Please provide a short description of how they will assist with the integration of SolarAPP+
Please upload a copy of all third party contractors' Certificate of Good Standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (“DAT”)

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W-9 and Supplemental Documentation
Please upload a complete, accurate, up-to-date, and signed IRS Form W-9 for the applying County or Municipality.*

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Please upload any supplemental documentation for the application

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Please verify that you are human*
How did you hear about this Program?
Signature*

Clear
Date*

YearMonthDay
Date
Should be Empty:

Application Checklist

Jurisdiction Contact Information

Overview of Jurisdiction

Overview of Existing Residential Solar Permitting Process

Resource Description

Cost Breakdown

Past Work with NREL on SolarAPP+

Third Party Good Standing

W-9 and Supplemental Documentation