Sustain Our Future Foundation and GRID Alternatives Launch $1.2 Million No-Cost Rooftop Solar Initiative for Maryland Homeowners
35 Maryland households who meet eligibility requirements will receive and own rooftop solar systems at no cost, with additional funding available for qualifying roof and electrical repairs.
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August 25, 2026
Washington, D.C. - Sustain Our Future Foundation (SOFF) and GRID Alternatives today announced a new collaboration to expand access to residential solar energy for Maryland homeowners through a grant-funded initiative supported by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA).
The initiative will provide 35 eligible Maryland homeowners with rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at no cost to the homeowner. There are no loans, leases, liens, monthly payments, credit checks, or hidden fees associated with the solar installation. Once installed at no cost, homeowners will own their solar panels outright. Energy generated from the solar panels will be subtracted from the household’s energy bills each month, lowering costs and energy burdens for local families.
This initiative is part of SOFF’s broader work to strengthen community participation in the clean energy economy. Through its Regenerative Communities Project, SOFF resources community-led sustainability infrastructure. This builds upon SOFF’s existing work in Maryland, providing no-cost electric heat pumps and insulation upgrades to households. Through these home energy efficiency measures and residential solar energy, SOFF aims to reduce the cost of energy for Maryland families.
“This collaboration is an opportunity to make the benefits of the clean energy transition tangible at the household level.” said Yinka N. Bode-George, Founder and CEO of Sustain Our Future Foundation. “Working families should be able to participate in the renewable energy economy, own the infrastructure on their homes, and experience the economic benefits of solar without taking on a loan or lease.”
Eligible homeowners will receive solar systems ranging from 3 kW to 15 kW, with a value of up to $30,000 per home, including solar panels, system design, installation, and commissioning. The program also includes up to $7,500 per home in grant funding for qualifying repairs needed to enable solar installation, including roof, electrical, health and safety repairs.
Through the initiative, SOFF and GRID Alternatives will work together to connect eligible homeowners with no-cost solar installations while helping ensure that participating households understand their options and the benefits of the program.
“GRID Alternatives believes that clean energy should be accessible to everyone, regardless of income,” said Bambi Tran, Chief Operations and Affiliate Officer at GRID Alternatives. “We are proud to partner with Sustain Our Future Foundation to help Maryland families access the economic and environmental benefits of rooftop solar while building community-powered solutions for a more equitable clean energy future.”
How the Program Works
Homeowners can begin by completing an application to determine whether they meet the program’s initial eligibility requirements. If eligible, program representatives will request documentation to verify household income and utility information and will assess whether the home is suitable for solar.
The process includes:
Apply to check eligibility: Homeowners complete an application and provide required documentation if they meet the initial criteria.
Home assessment: The project team reviews the home’s conditions and conducts a site visit.
Review solar benefits: Eligible homeowners receive information about the proposed system and potential energy savings.
Make an informed decision: Homeowners decide whether they want to proceed. There is no obligation to move forward.
Who May Qualify?
Households must meet the program's income requirements and other home eligibility criteria. Maximum gross annual household income varies by household size:
1 person - $72,950
2 People - $83,400
3 People - $93,800
4 People - $104,200
5 People - $112,550
6 People - $120,900
Additional requirements include:
The home must have received weatherization work resulting from an energy audit within the past five years.
The roof and electrical systems must meet conditions necessary for solar installation, though minor qualifying repairs may be completed through available program funding.
Final eligibility is subject to program requirements and a home assessment.
For eligible homeowners, the program covers the cost of solar system design, installation, and commissioning. The program is funded through a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration's Residential Energy Equity Program, which supports efforts to expand equitable access to clean energy and its benefits. SOFF will first work with homeowners already engaged through SOFF’s fuel-switching and weatherization program to build on these investments and pursue a more comprehensive, whole-home approach to energy efficiency and resilience. From there, SOFF plans to open the opportunity to additional eligible homeowners.
For more information about this initiative, please contact Sustain Our Future Foundation at communities@sustainourfuture.org
About Sustain Our Future Foundation
Sustain Our Future Foundation (SOFF) is a national nonprofit organization that collaborates with corporate sustainability teams to de-risk and deepen the impact of sustainable infrastructure projects by ensuring that local communities' priorities are part of the planning, siting, and development phases of these projects. Our goal is to raise the standard of sustainable development to promote economic development, community partnership, local self-determination, and environmental health for all communities.
About GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives is a national nonprofit organization that builds community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy. For more than 20 years, GRID Alternatives has worked with communities to expand access to clean energy and create pathways to economic opportunity through solar.