Solar Energy World was the most popular solar company among respondents in Maryland, according to our 2024 survey. Get a quote on your own solar system installation today.
Updated:
Mar 23, 2024
Written by
Leonardo David
Leonardo David
Edited by
Tori Addison
Tori Addison
The MarketWatch Guides team researched the best solar companies in Maryland based on solar equipment quality, system workmanship, experience, warranty terms and additional services offered. Our top picks include , Solar Energy World, Venture Solar, Palmetto, and SunPower.
Maryland offers multiple incentives to help homeowners save on solar energy systems, including a statewide rebate program, sales tax exemption and Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC) program. The state’s electric rates are also higher than the U.S. average, which means you can achieve increased energy savings with solar panels.
See our list of top solar providers based on in-depth research.
Select the provider that best fits your needs.
Get a free, no-obligation quote for your home.
Compare Top Solar Providers in Maryland
When comparing solar offers, consider that the average cost of a solar panel system in Maryland is $2.93 per watt or around $17,580 for a 6 kilowatt (kW) system.
| Company | Star Rating | Cost of an 8 kW System* | BBB Rating | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000–$27,500 | A+ | GET QUOTE | ||
| N/A | B- | GET QUOTE | ||
| $20,000–$25,000 | A+ | GET QUOTE | ||
| $20,000–$25,000 | A+ | GET QUOTE | ||
| $24,000–$36,000 | A+ | GET QUOTE | ||
| $20,000–$25,000 | A- | GET QUOTE | ||
| N/A | N/A | GET QUOTE |
| Company | BBB Rating | Star Rating | Cost of an 8 kW System* | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | $25,000–$27,500 | GET QUOTE | ||
| B- | N/A | GET QUOTE | ||
| A+ | $20,000–$25,000 | GET QUOTE | ||
| A+ | $20,000–$25,000 | GET QUOTE | ||
| A+ | $24,000–$36,000 | GET QUOTE | ||
| A- | $20,000–$25,000 | GET QUOTE | ||
| N/A | N/A | GET QUOTE |
Top 7 Solar Companies in Maryland of 2024
Venture Solar: Our pick for aesthetics
Trinity Solar: Our pick for simple installation
Palmetto Solar: Our pick for protection plans
SunPower: Most experienced
Sunrun: Our pick for leasing options
EDGE Energy: Our pick for local expertise
Our solar energy experts compared solar companies in Maryland based on the technical specifications of available equipment, including panels, inverters and batteries. We also reviewed each company’s warranty terms and financing options and verified customer reviews sourced from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other trusted sites.
We conduct ongoing solar research, both locally and nationwide, analyzing data from sources like the Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). We also review the incentive programs available in each state and consider data from our 2023 solar cost surveys of 2,000 homeowners total across all states.
Solar Energy World
Our pick for long-term warranty coverage
Warranty 30 years
System Cost $25,000–$27,500
Venture
Our pick for aesthetic panels
Warranty 25 years
System Cost N/A
Trinity
Our pick for simple installation
Warranty 25-year product and performance, 5-year workmanship
Cost $20,000–$25,000
Palmetto Solar
Our pick for protection plans
Warranty 25 years
System Cost $20,000–$25,000
SunPower
Our pick for most experience
Warranty 25 years
System Cost $24,000–$36,000
Sunrun Solar
Our pick for leasing options
Warranty 12 and 30 years
System Cost $20,000–$25,000
EDGE Energy
Warranty 10 and 25 years
System Cost N/A
What To Look for in a Solar Company
In general, we recommend finding a solar company that offers competitive pricing and a professional installation service. The average cost of a solar panel system in Maryland is $2.93 per watt, which means you can expect to pay around $17,580 for a 6 kW system before incentives. Prices will also depend on equipment quality and additional components like a battery or EV charger.
In addition to cost, here are some specific recommendations when comparing solar companies in Maryland:
Maryland receives a decent amount of sunshine throughout the year, as you can see using the World Bank Global Solar Atlas. With high-efficiency solar panels, you can convert a larger percentage of this natural resource into clean electricity and save even more on power bills.
Being a coastal state, Maryland experiences harsh weather conditions that can cause power outages. If your solar system includes a reliable battery like the Tesla Powerwall or SunPower SunVault, you can generate backup power.
Maryland is one of the few states where you can earn SRECs for generating clean electricity. These credits represent additional income beyond the savings normally achieved by solar panels. To make sure your solar system is eligible, look for a company that meets program requirements and can validate the energy output of your solar panels.
Benefits of Going Solar in Maryland
Like in other states, there are many benefits to going solar in Maryland. Here are a few:
- Reduced utility bills: The main benefit of switching to solar energy is the electricity savings that come with offsetting your grid power consumption. The average monthly electric bill is $127.62 in Maryland, which is around $1,531 each year. Solar panels can last 25 years or more — and with an expected system payback period of eight years in Maryland — you could see savings amounting to thousands of dollars over your system’s lifetime.
- Offset rising power costs: Utility companies raise the price of electricity every year — and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects costs to continue to increase. These increases can add up over time, costing you a substantial amount of money in the long run. While solar power requires an initial investment for the equipment, the energy your panels receive from sunlight is technically free, which results in no increased energy costs while using solar power.
- Increased home value: Multiple studies suggest that homes with solar panels sell for a significantly higher price than comparable homes without solar.
- Security against power outages: According to the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, power outages are common throughout the state. Homes with solar panels and a battery system can keep appliances running even through a blackout.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Solar power offers many environmental benefits. Every kilowatt-hour of energy that solar panels produce replaces a kilowatt-hour of energy produced using traditional sources (like fossil fuels). Over its 25-year lifespan, a home solar system can generate hundreds of thousands of kilowatt-hours of clean energy, preventing tons of carbon from entering the atmosphere.
Common Concerns
Blackouts are common in Maryland and may concern homeowners who want to buy solar panels. However, stand-alone panels cannot provide backup power. You must add a battery bank if you want to rely on solar energy during power outages.
Maryland also gets a fair share of rainfall during the year. However, rain should not have a major impact on the productivity of solar panels due to Maryland’s otherwise sunny climate. Your panels can also benefit from occasional rain because it keeps their surface clean.
Solar Trends in Maryland
Going solar is an attractive investment for Maryland homeowners, thanks to a combination of the state’s solar incentives and rising electricity prices. Here are some interesting facts about solar energy in the Old Line State:
- Maryland had installed 1,865 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity by April 2023, enough to power 225,940 homes, according to the SEIA.
- Maryland will keep expanding its solar capacity — the SEIA estimates a growth of 1,461 MW from 2024 to 2028, a 78% increase from its current capacity.
- The local solar industry has $4.6 billion in cumulative investments, including 205 solar companies that have created 4,921 jobs.
- Between October 2022 and 2023, the average electricity price in Maryland increased from 15.84 to 18.40 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) — a 16% increase in power bills. The state’s rising electric rates create an incentive to go solar.
Maryland has a renewable energy target of generating 50% of its energy from clean sources by 2030. The state increased its solar power capacity from 258 MW to 1,865 MW between 2015 and 2024, more than 600% in growth.
Maryland Solar Incentives
Maryland residents can benefit from numerous solar incentives. You can still save thousands with the available incentives and rebates.
Federal Incentives
The federal solar investment tax credit is the most valuable incentive available in Maryland. Though not a direct rebate, the credit allows you to deduct 30% of your total system cost from your income tax burden for the year you install solar. If you cannot use the entire credit, you can roll it over for up to five years. The federal tax credit can lower your solar system cost, which shortens your system payback period and increases your energy savings over time.
Statewide Incentives
There are also a handful of state incentives available in Maryland, as outlined in the chart below.
| Incentive | Savings | Explanation |
| Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program | One-time rebate of $1,000 | Homeowners who install a solar power system that is one to 20 kW in size are eligible for a $1,000 rebate. |
| Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) | $58 per SREC | Residents earn one SREC for every 1,000 kWh of solar energy generated. For example, a system generating 8,000 kWh of solar energy per year would get 8 SRECs at a current value of $58 each, resulting in $464. You can check market prices at SRECTrade. |
| Property Tax Exemption for Solar and Wind Energy Systems | 100% of property tax increases from installing solar | Exempts households from property tax increases due to installing a solar energy system. |
| Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Equipment | 6% of your solar system value | The state sales and use tax (6%) does not apply when purchasing a solar energy system. |
| Net metering | Savings vary | Net metering allows you to send excess energy your panels generate to the grid in exchange for energy bill credits. Maryland values credits at the full retail rate of grid power or electricity. |
Local Incentives
Maryland also has four counties that offer local solar property tax credits. Keep in mind that these credits differ from the statewide property tax exemption. The statewide property tax exemption applies to a home’s value increase after installing solar panels, whereas property tax credits get subtracted from what you would normally pay.
| Incentive | Savings | Explanation |
| Anne Arundel County Property Tax Credit | 50% of solar material and installation costs, up to $2,500 | The county subtracts this incentive from the property taxes applied to your residence, but not from land taxes. |
| Baltimore County Property Tax Credit | 50% of your system costs, up to $5,000 | The country subtracts this incentive from your property taxes. If your credit exceeds your taxes, you can carry it over for up to two years. |
| Harford County Property Tax Credit | 100% of total real property taxes or $2,500 per device, whichever is less | The incentive is subtracted from property taxes applied to your home, but not from land taxes. You can carry unused credits forward for up to two years. |
| Prince George’s County Property Tax Credit | 50% of your eligible costs, up to $5,000 | This credit applies to eligible expenses such as solar parts, components, accessories and reasonable installation costs. You can carry unused credits forward for up to two years. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Companies in Maryland
Despite average amounts of sunshine — 108 days of sun each year — and average solar pricing, Maryland is a great place to go solar. You can save thousands of dollars in energy bills over the lifetime of a solar panel system in Maryland. Plus, going solar helps contribute to the state’s renewable energy goals by lowering your carbon footprint.
While the cost of a solar power system will vary based on several factors, a 6 kW system in Maryland costs $17,580.
According to the SEIA, 197 solar companies operate in Maryland. Of those companies, 103 are solar installers, 18 are manufacturers and the rest are classified as “others.”
While the best type of solar panel for your home will depend on factors like your energy needs, we recommend high-efficiency solar panels made from monocrystalline silicon. Some residents can even go with N-type or half-cell panels, which promise more power per panel. You can work with your solar installer to determine the proper panels for your solar project.
