SOLAR SHINES BRIGHTER IN MARYLAND

Maryland citizens and the local solar energy industry have another reason to celebrate Maryland's commitment to clean, renewable solar energy. With the passage of Governor O'Malley's solar bill (HB 377), State grants and tax exemptions offer the best solar incentives that Maryland has ever provided. Effective on July 1, the new law allows MEA to provide grants of up to $10,000 ($2,500 per kilowatt) to offset the costs of installing residential or small commercial solar arrays.

Solar technologies generate energy with zero emissions and have proven to be a reliable component of the energy supply equation. The most difficult obstacle to a more widespread implementation of solar energy has been the high costs of purchasing the equipment which, once in service, can supply decades of energy with very low maintenance costs. The increased incentives allow solar energy to be more affordable to more Marylanders.

MEA is in the process of revising the Maryland Solar Energy Program to reflect the new law. For more information, please contact MEA at meainfo@energy.state.md.us or 1-800-723-6374.

SUCCESSFUL GEOTHERMAL GRANTS INCREASED

To date over 200 Marylanders, mostly homeowners, have received grants from MEA for installing geothermal heat pump systems. These systems provide savings of 25 to 50% on heating and cooling costs and can also generate most of the hot water needed for much of the year. Systems can be either drilled (vertical) or trenched (horizontal) and circulate a fluid that absorbs or rejects heat to the ground or groundwater.

Under the new geothermal grant law, starting in July 2008, MEA will be able to offer grants of up to $3,000 ($1,000 per ton) to offset the costs of these systems. Geothermal systems can deliver both energy and demand savings for the customer and the electric utility, as well as reducing the air and water pollution from combustion of fossil fuels.

For more information about the Geothermal Heat Pump Grant Program, contact Dave Cronin 410-260-7543 or dcronin@energy.state.md.us.