Maryland State Government Section 9-2007

      (a)      (1)      In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

            (2)      "Photovoltaic property" means solar energy property that uses a solar photovoltaic process to generate electricity and that meets applicable performance and quality standards and certification requirements in effect at the time of acquisition of the property, as specified by the Maryland Energy Administration.

            (3)      "Program" means the Solar Energy Grant Program.

            (4)      (i)      "Solar energy property" means equipment that uses solar energy:

                        1.      to generate electricity;

                        2.      to heat or cool a structure or provide hot water for use in a structure; or

                        3.      to provide solar process heat.

                  (ii)      "Solar energy property" does not include a swimming pool, hot tub, or any other energy storage medium that has a function other than storage.

            (5)      "Solar water heating property" means solar energy property that:

                  (i)      when installed in connection with a structure, uses solar energy for the purpose of providing hot water for use within the structure; and

                  (ii)      meets applicable performance and quality standards and certification requirements in effect at the time of acquisition of the property, as specified by the Maryland Energy Administration.

      (b)      There is a Solar Energy Grant Program in the Administration.

      (c)      The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to individuals, local governments, and businesses for a portion of the costs of acquiring and installing photovoltaic property and solar water heating property.

      (d)      The Administration shall:

            (1)      administer the Program;

            (2)      establish application procedures for the Program; and

            (3)      award grants from the Program.

      (e)      A grant awarded under the Program may not exceed:

            (1)      for photovoltaic property installed on residential property, the lesser of $3,000 or 20% of the total installed cost of the photovoltaic property;

            (2)      for photovoltaic property installed on nonresidential property, the lesser of $5,000 or 20% of the total installed cost of the photovoltaic property; and

            (3)      for solar water heating property, the lesser of $2,000 or 20% of the total installed cost of the solar water heating property.