The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) recently opened its Parking Lot Solar PV Canopy with EV Charger Grant Program for the 2019 fiscal year.  The MEA intends for this program to address both Maryland’s solar and electric vehicle infrastructure goals.  The program will have two areas of interest, businesses and non-profits, and state agencies and local governments.

To qualify for a grant award, a proposed project must at least include the below, as well as certain additional items specific to the relevant area of interest.

• 75 kW of solar PV panels mounted on a canopy structure over a parking lot.
• 4 new qualified Level II or Level III electric vehicle charging stations in the same parking lot or on the same structure as the canopy.
• Evidence that the applicant controls the project site through at least 25 years after completion.
• A signed contract with a developer/contractor.

The MEA is also interested in seeing projects that are innovative, have additional electric vehicle chargers and can reduce cost and/or wattage requirements.  

The available budget for the 2019 program (running from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019) is $2,000,000.  Grants will be up to $400/kW (DC) of canopy mounted solar PV, capped at $200,000 per project.

The application deadline for these program grants is September 7, 2018 with award announcements expected to be made October 9, 2018.  Agreements are expected to be signed by January 3, 2019.  Project construction and commissioning is expected to end November 8, 2019 with reports due to the MEA by December 6, 2019.