Four Maryland nonprofits receive funding to build low-income solar

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) announced $1.5 million in awards to build new solar on low-income Marylanders’ primary residence. Funding for this project is made possible through MEA’s Low Income Solar Grant Program, which is funded by the Strategic Energy Investment Fund.

“Through this program, MEA continues to remain committed to making solar energy accessible to low-income residential households in Maryland,” said MEA director Dr. Mary Beth Tung. “MEA hopes to use data from this program to inform future decisions on the benefits of solar energy systems in low-income communities. Installing solar energy systems will not only help reduce energy costs for Marylanders, but will also help to promote clean and renewable energy across the state.”

MEA will provide grant funding for the design and installation of solar energy systems for a limited number of Low Income (LI) single family homes that have received an energy audit and weatherization-type energy efficiency upgrades as part of MEA’s Low-to-Moderate Income Energy Efficiency Grant Program. The Pilot Low Income Solar Grant Program will make available up to 100% of the cost for the design and installation of solar systems ranging in size from 1 kW to 10 kW, with a cap of $25,000 per home.

The four organizations selected to receive Low Income Solar Grants are:

• Arundel Community Development Services (ACDS): a private nonprofit corporation established in 1993 by Anne Arundel County to ensure the efficient delivery of community development services to those most in need. ACDS’s total award amount is up to $433,333 which will serve at least 17 low income homes.
• Building Change: Building Change: a nonprofit organization located in Prince George’s County, Maryland whose mission is to advance consumer empowerment through advocacy, thought leadership, education and developing technological solutions to promote and finance healthy living, the built environment, community development, and sustainable construction practices. Building Change’s total award amount is up to $433,333 which will serve at least 17 low income homes.
• Civic Works: operates education, community improvement and energy conservation programs. Civic Works has developed an extensive network of low-income Maryland customers who have previously received an energy audit and weatherization energy efficiency services. Civic Works total award amount is up to $433,333 which will serve at least 17 low income homes.
• Green & Healthy Homes (GHHI): dedicated to addressing the social determinants of health and the advancement of racial and health equity through the creation of healthy, safe and energy efficient homes. GHHI proposed to integrate MEA renewable energy funding with varied leverage funding sources to identify and install solar on at least eight low-income homes with a total award up to $200,000.

News item from the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA)