Baltimore, Maryland –  The Maryland Energy Administration today launched the FY25 SolarAPP+ Implementation Grant Program. Streamline Solar for Maryland, a coalition of leading environmental and community advocacy groups, including Solar United Neighbors, Permit Power, Sierra Club, Environment Maryland, Maryland Rooftop Solar Coalition, and the Solar Energy Industry Association, celebrated the opening of grant applications and the future of instant permitting across the state. The program will provide financial support to Maryland counties, cities, towns, and other local jurisdictions to expedite the solar plan review and permitting process through the adoption of the U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory SolarAPP+ software platform.

The Brighter Tomorrow Act of 2024 mandated the use of automated solar permitting software for Maryland jurisdictions. Local governments can adopt various softwares to meet the needs of the Brighter Tomorrow Act, the most popular is by implementing SolarAPP+. By offering grants to implement SolarAPP+, the Maryland Energy Administration is taking a significant step toward streamlining solar installations and boosting safe, renewable energy adoption across the state. While SolarAPP+ is free for jurisdictions to use, the grant program will fund costs associated with SolarAPP+ implementation, including contractual support, staff training, and software integration.

"SolarAPP+ is revolutionizing the solar permitting process by automating approvals and ensuring safety compliance, allowing local governments to issue permits instantly," says Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul Pinsky." This innovative platform not only significantly reduces wait times for homeowners and installers, but also empowers communities to accelerate their transition to clean energy, making solar power more accessible and efficient than ever before."

“SolarAPP+ represents a major innovation in the solar industry, cutting down on red tape and accelerating the adoption of solar technology,” remarked Sean Gallagher, VP of State and Regulatory Affairs at the Solar Energy Industry Association. “We are thrilled to see Maryland take the lead in implementing this transformative software.”

Adopting instant permitting software offers significant advantages to local jurisdictions in Maryland by cutting costly and burdensome delays. Online platforms replace manual permit review and reduce permit review times from weeks to just minutes, facilitating faster, safer solar installations. For instance, SolarAPP+ can decrease the cost of going solar by $300 to $6,000 and save up to 14.5 days in the permitting process. The software also ensures every solar project in the state will be code compliant, giving homeowners peace of mind that every small detail has been checked. These efficiencies will not only support local governments by reducing administrative burdens but also help Maryland achieve its renewable energy goals, create solar industry jobs, and promote environmental sustainability.

“The adoption of SolarAPP+ promises to be game-changing to grow solar energy in Maryland,” said Johanna Neumann, Senior Director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at Environment America Research & Policy Center. “By simplifying and expediting the permitting process, SolarAPP+ will support more residents in going solar, reducing pollution and protecting public health.”

“Streamlined solar permitting with SolarAPP+ can save homeowners and installers significant time and money, making solar energy more affordable and accessible,” said Liz Veazey, Policy & Rural Energy Director at Solar United Neighbors. “These savings can range from $300 to $6,000, allowing more Marylanders to invest in clean energy solutions.”

The program has a budget of approximately $3.9 million to allocate to local governments to help them implement instant permitting with SolarAPP+. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2025. Local governments interested in applying can find more information here. 

“Maryland is leading the way with both the Brighter Tomorrow Act and the grant program. Local governments now have the tools in place to issue instant permits for families looking to install rooftop solar and home batteries,” said Hannah Birnbaum, Chief of Advocacy at Permit Power. “Communities across the state will benefit from easier and fast rooftop solar installations.”

“SolarAPP+ has the potential to revolutionize solar permitting in Maryland by making the solar permit process easier and faster for both customers and counties.” said Josh Tulkin, Director of the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter. “By providing financial incentives for local governments to adopt this cutting-edge technology, Maryland is making significant steps towards our clean energy future.”

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