
Sustainable Energy Resources
DoE Sustainable Energy does not endorse, sponsor, or otherwise make any representation or warranty with respect to any contractor or the work, materials, or services provided by any contractor.
Resources for Residents
Energy Resiliency Zone Initiative
The Energy Resiliency Zones (ERCs) Initiative is an effort by the County to focus on uplifting neighborhoods in the county that face significant economic, health, public safety and educational challenges. The ERCs evolved from a County initiative, formerly known as Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative (TNI), which utilized several metric indicators such as education, public safety, and employment to identify key neighborhoods across the County needing holistic uplifting.
Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) 21 defines resilience as "the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions and withstand, respond to, and recover rapidly from disruptions". From an energy perspective, resiliency is the ability to prepare for and adapt to utility disruptions and recover quickly from these disruptions. It involves the deployment of distributed energy resources such as energy efficiency, renewable energy such as solar PV and thermal, battery storage, and microgrids. Through this initiative, the county will improve the quality of life in those communities, while identifying ways to improve service delivery throughout the county for all residents. You can use the locator tool to find out if you live within an ERC area: Energy Resiliency Communities (ERC) Address Locator.
During a QHEC, trained Energy Analysts will:
- Assess your home’s energy use;
- Recommend energy-saving improvements;
- Help you start saving right away by installing free energy-saving products (up to 14 LED bulbs, electric hot water heater pipe wrap, ShowerStartâ„¢ showerhead adapters, efficient-flow showerheads, sink/faucet aerators and SmartPower strips).
This program is provided at no additional cost to your existing Pepco service. This cannot be used as the qualifying audit for the Clean Energy Grant (please see HPwES below).
Pepco customers can receive a whole-house energy audit for only $100 (typically valued at $400). Professionally certified auditors perform all of the work described in the QHEC above; but, they go steps further when residents receive a home energy assessment by participating in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) Program. This "whole=house" audit looks at how a combination of improvements can result in a more comfortable home, as well as lower energy consumption and costs in a prioritized manner. The necessary step in HPwES participation is selecting from a pre-approved list of contractors to schedule your home energy audit by visiting homeenergysavings.pepco.com/md/residential/home-performance-with-energy-star-program/overview/participating-contractors.
This is the audit that is required to qualify for the Clean Energy Grant (the QHEC audit above does provide sufficient data).
- Sustainable Energy Implementation Plan including grant applicability information
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Housing Initiative Partnership (HIP) Housing Rehabilitation Assistance Program
HIP creates housing and economic security for low- and moderate-income households and provides services that improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.
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Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland (HFHMM) Home Repair & Weatherization program
The program is a construction based resource which provides qualified moderate to low-and- income homeowners’ necessary health and safety related home repairs as well as eligible Weatherization Services (air sealing, insulation, some appliance replacement, HVAC system upgrades), Critical Home Repairs (accessibility modifications, repair or replacement of critical home components like roofs and windows), and Minor Home Repairs (exterior paint, porch repair, gutter/soffit/fascia repair).
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Participating Contractors in the Home Performance with Energy STAR Program
Find a Participating Contractor near you and get started with Home Performance ENERGY STAR
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This is the surcharge on your Pepco bill called EmPOWER MD charges. These programs include lighting and appliance rebates for homeowners, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (including home energy assessments and 50% rebates for energy improvements like insulation and air sealing), commercial lighting rebates, and energy efficiency services for industrial facilities.
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EmPOWER Maryland Low Income Energy Efficiency Program
Maryland’s EmPOWER Program helps low-income households with installation of materials and equipment at no charge.
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Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE)
The updated Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency helps homeowners and businesses find incentive programs that can reduce or defray installation or purchase costs of technologies like photovoltaic systems.
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The Maryland WholeHome Program
Maryland WholeHome grants and low interest rate loans can be used to upgrade energy efficient appliances, repair or replace heating and cooling systems, replace insulation, add accessibility features for seniors or those with special needs, remove lead paint, upgrade plumbing, and address structural and maintenance issues. With low-interest rate loans and grants, having a healthier home that saves money is easier than ever.
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The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) Incentives
The Maryland Energy Administration manages grants, loans, rebates, and tax incentives designed to help attain Maryland’s goals in energy reduction, renewable energy, climate action, and green jobs. Through the programs below, MEA helps Maryland residents, businesses, non-profits, and local governments implement energy efficiency upgrades and install renewable energy systems.
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Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE)
The Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement is responsible for coordinating and enforcing standards that control what goes on before, during and after construction.
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The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)’s Community Planning and Development Division, provides annual grants on a formula basis to entitled municipalities and non-profit organizations.
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Utility Bill Assistance - Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs
The Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) provides bill assistance to low-income households in the State of Maryland to make their energy costs more affordable and to help with the prevention of loss and the restoration of home energy service.
Energy assistance will not reduce the amount of any other public assistance benefits you receive, such as TCA or Food Stamps. Nor will it reduce Social Security benefits.
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Utility Bill Assistance - Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF)
WAFF was established by Washington Gas and The Salvation Army more than 35 years ago, helping to pay for all types of fuel to heat the homes (via gas, electric, etc.) of people in financial need.
- EmPOWER Maryland Incentives
- The EmPOWER of Maryland Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP) helps residents of low income households install energy conservation materials in their homes at no charge.
- Pepco’s Energy Saving Programs
- Potomac Edison’s Energy Saving Programs
- Washington Gas’ Energy Saving Program
- BGE Smart Energy Savers Program
Solar Resources
- Prince George’s County - Solar and Geothermal Residential Property Tax Credit
- Residents who have adopted solar PV at their homes may receive up to $5,000 back in the form of a tax credit. Please visit: https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10244/Alternative-Energy-Tax-Credit-Application-PDF to complete the application.
- The Maryland Energy Administration Residential Clean Energy Grant Program
- Residents receive up to $1,000 back for the installation of a Solar PV system that is more than 1 kW-DC in size
- Energy Sage
- The easiest way to go solar! Installers compete for your business to give you more options and the best deal. Free instant solar estimate for homes, businesses & non-profits.
Maryland Solar United Neighbors is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing the needs and interests of solar enthusiasts by ensuring that residents understand how solar works, how it can be financed, and how it can be installed on your home for cheaper via solar co-ops. Co-ops are any group of people that can take advantage of the group’s bulk-purchasing power to get discounted pricing and a quality installation.
Visit the Prince George’s County solar co-op site now to find out more, and to possibly sign up for an upcoming solar co-op info session at /www.solarunitedneighbors.org/co-ops/maryland/completed.
Resources for Commercial Properties and Businesses
- For a glossary of energy and energy-efficiency related terms, visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) Glossary of Energy-Related Terms.
- ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Glossary
- Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships: Mid-Atlantic Technical Reference Manual
- Maryland Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Program - Register solar systems to generate and sell solar renewable energy credits (SRECs)
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Find a Service Provider /Trade Ally
Prince George’s County’s Supplier Development and Diversity Division (SDDD) maintains a directory of certified Prince George’s County suppliers and providers of goods & services, and/or contractors. SDDD strongly believes the certified firms in each directory have the skill and capability to deliver quality services and products. Applicants can visit the Office of Central Services Supplier Directories or call 301-883-6480 for assistance.
Resource for Green Leasing Best Practices
Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) and Better Buildings run a recognition program for those in the real estate community who have successfully used green leasing in their operations. This website contains award requirements and past recipients. www.greenleaselibrary.com.
For more information visit the Green Lease Leaders application. The site provides examples of green lease activities and responses are not limited to the examples provided.
Electric Vehicle Charging Incentives
Customers of Pepco and BGE can now take advantage of new rebates to help offset the cost of Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station pilot. Through a new program, both utilities provide two types of vehicle charger rebates for both homes and multifamily properties.
Pepco Electric Vehicle Charging Pilot Program
- Residential – Pepco offers rebates up to $300 for qualifying Maryland residential customers who install an eligible Level 2 smart charger at their single-family home after July 1, 2019.
- Multifamily – Property managers, owners, and even homeowners associations can take advantage of EV rebates up to $25,000 on qualified charging equipment installation of Level 2 smart chargers and for a 100% discount on installation at your property.
BGE Electric Vehicle Charging Pilot Program
- Residential – Use this resource to receive rebates and incentives (up to $300) for adopting EV into your lifestyle with general EV information, finding and comparing available EV’s and charger stations.
- Multifamily – Property managers, owners and even homeowners associations may be eligible to receive incentives up to $25,000 for the installation of Level 2 smart chargers or DC fast chargers on their property.
Read DPIE's Guidelines for Permitting Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (September 2022) for residents.
Stay tuned for additional information on the public electric vehicle charging process.