Maryland: Clean Energy Grant Program - Windswept

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) provides rebates for the installation of residential and non-residential wind energy systems through the Windswept program, which is part of the Clean Energy Grant Program. Residential systems must be less than 100 kilowatts (kW) in size. Effective for all applications received after July 1, 2009, rebates are based on the normalized energy production capacity of the wind system at a reference speed of 11 meters per second (roughly 25 mph), which may differ from the rated capacity of the turbine as listed by the manufacturer. Participants are eligible for an incentive of $2,800 per kilowatt (kW) for the first 5 kW of normalized capacity, $750/kW for the next 15 kW, and $1,700/kW of normalized capacity over 20 kW. Incentives are allocated on a per property basis, meaning that incentives will not be awarded for multiple turbines on the same property.

Incentives are capped at the lesser of $75,000 or 50% of the net installed cost after other federal, state, and local incentives. Applicants may not receive multiple incentives for multiple systems installed on the same property. Systems must be listed on the California Energy Commission (CEC) List of Eligible Small Turbines or the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) List of Qualified Wind Generators in order to be eligible for the rebate. The program website contains sample grant calculations for common small wind turbines that have been installed in Maryland (note that this is not a complete list of eligible wind turbines).

Systems must also comply with all applicable performance and safety standards, including local codes, the National Electric Code, Maryland’s net metering rules and interconnection standards. Off-grid systems are not specifically addressed by the program rules, but might be permitted on a case-by-case basis. Project applications must contain a detailed site assessment, wind energy system specifications, signed cost estimates, a preliminary wind analysis, and pre-qualification forms detailing certain other aspects of the project. It is possible that some applications will be deemed ineligible based on site conditions (e.g., poor wind resource, obstructions, etc.).

Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Systems installed prior to the submission of an application remain eligible for incentives provided the system was placed in service during the same fiscal year as the application was submitted. For further information and application forms, please consult the program web site listed at the top of this page.