Find out if solar panels are right for your home in Maryland.
Maryland is actively fostering the growth of solar energy. As all part of their ambitious Renewable Portfolio Standard target of 50% renewable energy by 2030, the state has taken on several large projects. The Great Bay Solar 1 and Todd Solar, have significantly boosted their solar capacity.
The state has seen notable growth in the solar sector, ranking 19th nationally, with investments amounting to $4.4 billion.
The average price for a home solar panel system in Maryland is $18,780 for a 6kW system or about $3.13 per watt. Systems will vary depending on the solar installation company the types of solar panels you choose and the size of your system. When shopping for solar panels you should consider getting multiple quotes from various installers.
| Average Cost 6 kW System | Average Cost 10 kW System | Estimated Tax Credit (10 kW System) | Average Cost/Watt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S.Average | $18,771 | $31,285 | $9,385.50 | $3.13 |
| Maryland | $17,760 | $29,600 | $8,880 | $2.96 |
| U.S.Average | $18,771 | $31,285 | $9,385.50 | $3.13 |
| Most Costly State(Michigan) | $22,680 | $37,800 | $11,340 | $3.78 |
| Least Costly State(Arizona) | $14,640 | $24,400 | $7,320 | $2.44 |
For most, the ideal solar system size is the sweet spot between price and capacity. The goal is to generate enough electricity to cover your home's demand while keeping overall costs low as possible.
I.E. Get the best bang for your buck.
| System Size | System Cost | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $14,800 | $8,785 |
| 6 kW | $17,760 | $10,542 |
| 7 kW | $20,720 | $12,299 |
| 8 kW | $23,680 | $14,056 |
| 10 kW | $29,600 | $17,570 |
Unfortunately, even solar isn’t perfect. We want you to make the best decision for you. So, we have collected some pros and cons associated with installing solar in your home state. We suggest weighing everything!
Opinions matter and how you interpret one con, may outweigh all the other pros. Our goal is to present the most common prone and cons to let you make up your own mind.
While Maryland is not the sunniest state, it certainly does have incentives in place that could make it more financially viable for some.
If your roof requires additional support to hold the solar system, the solar system could easily not make financial sense. Also ensure that your home receives adequate sunshine, free of shade, and ideally faces south.
While it could make more sense for some, Maryland is a state where other factors could strongly sway the needle in one direction or the other. Because of this, we strongly recommend talking with a local solar installer to get an estimate.
If you are on the fence you can use this tool to get an accurate cost breakdown for your home based on your historical energy usage.
There are several ways you can purchase and/or finance your solar panel installation in Maryland. Your goals and financial situation will dictate which option is best for you.
The most straightforward option. You pay upfront for the entire cost of the rooftop solar system. No interest, and fewer headaches, but many people are hesitant about spending several tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
The most common method for buying solar systems. Like many other types of large purchases, you can finance your solar system through a bank or solar loan provider.
This sounds great, and many other solar loan salespeople will leverage the low payment to justify the costs. You will likely hear something like "You pay $250 a month on your electric bill, with a solar loan you will pay $200 and have free electricity."
Do your due diligence before you sign on the dotted line. There are many horror stories of variable loan terms, ballooning interest rates, and harsh missed payment penalties.
Leasing solar panels generally involves less money out of pocket upfront. But, it's important to note - you do not own your solar energy system. You essentially renting the solar system. A solar provider will install the equipment and charge you a fixed monthly fee.
Most solar lease contracts last for a couple of decades, during which time the provider will keep an eye on the system's hardware and performance. At the end of your lease, you can choose to:
Solar leases can be complicated. Not all are bad, but in many cases the lease terms in not in favor of the buyer. Before you decide on a solar lease make sure to read your contract thoroughly. If you don't understand something, ask an expert.
A power purchase agreement (PPA) is a financial agreement where a solar company will design and install a solar system on your home or business with little or no cost upfront. Instead of paying a monthly fee like a lease, the agreement includes a fixed price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated.
For example, you agree to pay $0.12 per kWh of electricity generated for the next 20 years. The solar company will install and maintain your system and sell the power back to you that you use. They may also collect payment for any additional energy they put back into the grid.
Just like a lease, you do not own the panels. When the contract is up, they will either be removed or your contract may have other terms for you to buy or renew your power purchase agreement.
Power purchase agreements can be complicated. Before you sign make sure you review the contract and if possible have an expert in power purchase agreements review the details.
In addition to the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit, you may be eligible for solar incentives that could significantly reduce the cost of solar panel installation. The state offers a Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC) program where you can earn around $50 for every 1000 kWh of energy generated by your solar panels, selling these credits to electricity suppliers to help them meet the state's renewable portfolio standards. Additionally, the state provides a 100% sales tax exemption on solar equipment and a property tax exemption on the added value to your home from installing a renewable energy system.
But that’s not all!
This table shows the available incentives in Maryland. But, just because you don't see it here doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Check with your local utility for other potential incentives.
| Name | State | Category | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland Solar Easements & Rights Laws | MD | Regulatory Policy | Solar/Wind Access Policy |
| Clean Energy Incentive Act (Personal Credit) | MD | Financial Incentive | Personal Tax Credit |
| Sales Tax Exemption - Fuel Cells | MD | Financial Incentive | Sales Tax Incentive |
| EV and Hybrid Sales Tax Exemption | MD | Financial Incentive | Sales Tax Incentive |
| Wood Heating Fuel Exemption | MD | Financial Incentive | Sales Tax Incentive |
| State Agency Loan Program | MD | Financial Incentive | Loan Program |
| Fuel Mix and Emissions Disclosure | MD | Regulatory Policy | Generation Disclosure |
| Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program | MD | Financial Incentive | Loan Program |
| Local Option - Property Tax Credit for Renewables and Energy Conservation Devices | MD | Financial Incentive | Property Tax Incentive |
| Maryland - Life Cycle Cost Analysis Standards | MD | Regulatory Policy | Energy Standards for Public Buildings |
Residential Clean Energy Grant Program: This program provides financial incentives to homeowners who install solar water heating and photovoltaic (PV) systems. Homeowners can receive a grant of up to $1,000 for solar PV systems.
Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs): Maryland has an SREC program where solar system owners can earn credits for the electricity they generate. These credits can then be sold to utilities, helping them meet their renewable energy requirements.
Commercial Clean Energy Grant Program: This program offers financial incentives to businesses, non-profits, and local government organizations that install solar water heating and PV systems.
Property Tax Exemption for Solar and Wind Energy Systems: This exemption allows property owners to exclude the added value of a solar or wind system from the valuation of their property for taxation purposes.
Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Equipment: This exemption exempts solar energy equipment from the state's sales and use tax.
There are hundreds of solar companies in Maryland. From solar installers to solar loan providers, and manufacturers. Each is a piece of the puzzle to help you get outfitted with solar panels.
To make things simple, EnergyBot works directly with 3 of the largest solar companies to give you a comprehensive view of the market.
The solar companies we partner with:
We believe comparing these three names in the solar industry will give you the info you need to decide if solar panels are right for you.
Just because solar is a popular discussion right now, doesn’t mean it makes sense for everyone. It is still a large and expensive decision. Installing solar has great financial and environmental benefits but it won’t feel beneficial if you run into issues. Along with studying a 20-year cost comparison for your home, read some more tips to keep in mind when mulling over your decision on your installer, system design, and financial plan.
While there are a few large challenges that Maryland is facing with solar, they all surround one big issue: transparency.
Recently, there was a call for a pause on Senate Bill 489 and House Bill 692. Both residents and leaders are looking for more information around solar and other renewable energy plans. Specifically, clear and well-planned strategy for the implementation of solar projects and distribution of financial credits to renewable energy generators.
In terms of solar projects, residents are afraid of hasty developments that could disrupt local communities and agriculture, depreciate property values, and pose future cleanup challenges. They are urging the state consider alternative spaces for solar panel installations, such as commercial rooftops and parking lots, before utilizing large areas of agricultural land.
At the same time leaders are suspect that the renewable energy program might be inadvertently funding "dirty energy sources" instead of genuinely renewable options. They have requested more detailed information in the annual report on the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), including data on renewable energy credits (RECs) and the facilities selling them. The groups are also advocating for a compliance check to ensure that the RECs sold in Maryland meet the necessary eligibility criteria, including environmental standards. The overarching goal is to foster a renewable energy program that is both transparent and effective in promoting clean energy sources.
We have helped thousands of customers find electricity plans for their home or business. And we are pretty darn good at it, with over 1,000 5-Star reviews we know how to help you stay powered up.
Now using the same one-of-kind technology and platform we are helping consumers in Maryland decide if solar is right for them. You will notice that sometimes our numbers make solar look less attractive. That's not by accident. We believe you should have full transparency during the solar purchasing process.
We aren't here to sell you something. We are here to help you make the best energy decision for your home or business.
The cost of solar panel installation in Maryland can vary significantly based on a number of factors, including the size and type of the system, the complexity of the installation, your solar installer, and the specific location. However, the average cost of solar panels in the U.S. was about $3.13 per watt, before any incentives or tax credits.
A typical residential solar system is usually around 8 kilowatts (8,000 watts), but varies based on energy use and the size of the house. The US average cost for a 6 kW system is $18,771 and the US average cost for a 10 kW system is $31,285, before incentives. The average price for a home solar panel system in Maryland is $18,780 for a 6kW system or about or about $3.13 per watt.
The number of solar panels you would need depends on a variety of factors such as:
To give you a rough estimate, let's say you live in a location that receives about 5 hours of peak sunlight per day, your solar panels have an efficiency of 20%, and each panel has a power rating of 300 watts. If your home uses about 10,400 kWh per year, you would divide this by 365 to get your daily energy use (about 28.5 kWh). You would then divide this by the hours of peak sunlight (5 hours), to get your required power output per hour (about 5.7 kW). If each solar panel produces 300 watts (or 0.3 kW), you would divide 5.7 kW by 0.3 to get the number of solar panels you need, which would be about 19 panels.
The installation process for solar panels can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the system and the complexity of the installation.
Your installer should be able to give you an estimated timeline based on your specific project.
Solar panels generally require very little maintenance. However, it's a good idea to have them inspected every few years to ensure they are working properly and to clean off any debris or dirt that may have accumulated on the panels. Most solar panel installers offer maintenance services for an additional fee.
Some skilled DIYers may be able to save some solar installation costs by installing solar equipment themselves. But, any solar installation will require a foundational knowledge of wiring and electricity. There's is a lot that can go wrong, posing a potentially deadly hazard.
Before you try to DIY your system we would recommend getting a quote from a solar installer. You may find that the labor costs of your install is relatively small compared to the cost of the solar equipment itself.
There are two main types of solar panels: Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline. There are pros and cons to both. Either type can produce enough solar power for your home. We recommend getting a recommendation from a solar installer for your home. Depending on your budget, location, and other factors they can recommend the most efficient solar panels for your home.
Maryland, getting a solar permit is pretty straightforward but can vary depending on your local jurisdiction.
Typically, you'll need to submit a permit application to your local building department, which usually includes site plans and system specs. Some cities have streamlined this process to encourage solar adoption. It's always a good idea to consult your local building department for the nitty-gritty details like required documentation and fees.
If you're working with a solar installation company, they often handle the permitting process for you.
