The FY25 SolarAPP+ Implementation Grant Program is a federally funded initiative designed to assist counties and municipalities in Maryland with the integration of SolarAPP+ into their solar permitting processes. Administered by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), this program is funded through Maryland’s State Energy Program (SEP) allocation under the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) and is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The primary objective of this grant is to provide financial support to Maryland local governments to facilitate the deployment of SolarAPP+, a software developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to streamline and automate the approval process for residential solar energy systems.

Under the program, funding is specifically allocated for costs associated with the implementation of SolarAPP+, including short-term staffing resources, IT upgrades, and the integration of the software into existing permitting systems. The grant is structured as a first-come, first-served non-competitive funding opportunity and is available exclusively to Maryland counties and municipalities that have not yet adopted SolarAPP+. The program does not provide retroactive funding for jurisdictions that have already integrated the SolarAPP+ platform.

The program aligns with Maryland’s legislative mandate under the Brighter Tomorrow Act (S.B. 783, Chapter 595, 2024 Acts of Maryland), which requires local jurisdictions to adopt automated solar permitting software by August 1, 2025. MEA has designated SolarAPP+ as an eligible platform to meet these statutory requirements. The total funding available for the program is approximately $3.9 million, and grant awards will be calculated based on the population size of the jurisdiction, with additional funding considerations based on the percentage of the population living below the poverty line, as well as energy and housing burden metrics.

Eligible applicants must be Maryland counties or municipalities responsible for issuing residential solar photovoltaic (PV) permits. The grant funds may be used for staff training, integration with existing IT systems, development of new permitting procedures, and other IT-related expenses associated with SolarAPP+ implementation. Additional funding for activities beyond these categories may be considered on a case-by-case basis if justified through a Needs Assessment submitted by the applicant.

Applications are due by 3:00 P.M. ET on April 1, 2025 and must be submitted through the online MEA SolarAPP+ Implementation Grant Program Application Portal. Required application documents include a complete application form, an overview of the jurisdiction's population and socio-economic data, a description of the existing residential solar permitting process, a breakdown of anticipated resource needs, cost estimates, documentation of past engagement with NREL (if applicable), third-party good standing verification (if applicable), and an IRS W-9 form.

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible due to the first-come, first-served nature of the funding. Questions regarding the grant may be directed to the MEA SolarAPP+ Implementation Team via email at SolarAPP.MEA@Maryland.gov or by calling 410.537.4000.