Before you start
Gather these first so you can finish in one sitting:
- Residential solar permits issued last year, average days to issue a permit, and first-inspection pass rate
- The name of your current permitting software and a short description of your permit steps
- All-in hourly rates (salary plus fringe) for the staff who will train, update procedures and fees, and support IT
- Any local funds you plan to contribute
Section numbers such as 13.4.1 match MEA's FY27 Funding Opportunity Announcement, so you can follow along with the official requirements.
Project summary
About this section
MEA asks for the requested amount, total project cost including local funds, a title, purpose, expected impact, start and end dates (the end date is when SolarAPP+ is fully live) and primary location. You enter these in MEA's online application.
Drafted from your jurisdiction. Edit freely; your edits are kept on this device.
Current permitting process
About this section
MEA asks what software you use today, your current permit steps, and data on permit volume, timelines, staff time and inspection outcomes.
Only your department has these numbers. Gather them first; they make the strongest part of the narrative.
Integration type
About this section
Choose how SolarAPP+ fits with your current system. Stand-alone: SolarAPP+ issues permits and collects fees. Integrated: your existing system issues the final permit and takes payment.
Staff time
About this section
MEA asks for expected hours and all-in hourly rates by staff category for training, procedures and system integration, fee adjustments, and IT.
Hours are a starting point scaled to your jurisdiction's size. Replace the example rates with your all-in hourly rates (salary plus fringe).
| Category | Hours | All-in rate ($/hr) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total staff time |
Budget
About this section
Upload a budget workbook showing how grant and local funds will be used. Staff lines must match 13.4.4. Costs incurred before your grant agreement is signed aren't reimbursed.
Staff lines carry over from 13.4.4 and must match it (13.5.2). Add contracted support as separate lines. General administration and oversight are not eligible.
| Line item | MEA request | Leveraged |
|---|---|---|
| Total |
Implementation timeline
About this section
Milestones and reporting must fit within the grant period of about 12 months from your grant agreement.
Milestones are spaced from your start date. The performance period is about 12 months, and SolarAPP+ must be live by August 1, 2027.
| Milestone | Target date |
|---|
Submission checklist
About this section
Uploads and signed forms MEA requires with your application.
Download your workbook
Tell us where to send updates and we'll export your draft as an Excel workbook with Summary, Staff Time, Budget, Timeline and Census Tracts sheets.
Prepared by the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), a nonprofit, as a free general template available to every Maryland jurisdiction. IBTS does not review, prepare or edit grant applications, and using this tool creates no obligation and has no bearing on any procurement. Not affiliated with the Maryland Energy Administration. Estimates only: verify every figure against the FY27 Funding Opportunity Announcement and submit through MEA's application portal using MEA's own forms. County housing units are U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates for July 1, 2025, as published by the Maryland Department of Planning. City and town housing units are American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates (table B25001). Confirm with MEA which estimate it uses. Questions about the program go to MEA at grid.mea@maryland.gov.