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Updated: Oct 22, 2024, 9:42am
Reviewed By
| EditorIf you live in Maryland and are considering adding solar to your home, you’re in luck. The state offers many incentives to help homeowners install a solar system, regardless of their budget. As such, there are also a wealth of solar companies in the state that can help your installation run smoothly.
Maryland also enjoys an abundance of sunlight all year long, with more than 250 sunny days, which makes incorporating solar panels a good option. Thanks to that, the state’s many incentives and the rising cost of electricity, more homeowners may be looking to add solar to their home to generate clean, renewable electricity and save money. Solar installer Tesla tops our list of the best solar companies in Maryland. Tesla scored 4.6 out of 5 stars when reviewed against our methodology and stands out for its wide availability and solar shingles.
We reviewed the top solar installation companies to bring you one step closer to adopting solar energy in Maryland.
The Forbes Home team is committed to bringing you independent, unbiased ratings and information. We use data and expert advice to inform all of our content. Plus, our advisory board of licensed professionals like Remi Akinwonmi, fact-checks and reviews our content for accuracy and relevancy. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the solar companies’ methodology for the ratings below.
Featured Partners
1
Green Home Systems
BBB Grade
Not accredited
Financing Options
Full purchase and loan
Number of States Covered
21
2
Blue Raven Solar
BBB
A+
Financing Options
$0 upfront for 18 months
Number of States Covered
21
3
Momentum Solar
BBB Grade
A+
Financing Options
Purchase, loan
Number of States Covered
10
Key Takeaways:
We compared the ratings and costs of Maryland solar panel companies after completing our research and analysis across criteria, including experience in the industry, equipment, customer support, pricing, warranty, whether the company has a monitoring app and customer reviews.
| COMPANY | FORBES HOME RATING | BEST FOR | BBB RATING | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 4.6    | Best for Availability | A+ | From Participating Partners
| |
| 4.2  | Best for Solar Equipment | A+ | From Participating Partners
| |
| 3.8 | Best for Financing Options | A+ | From Participating Partners
| |
| 3.6 | Best for Personalized Service | A+ | From Participating Partners
| |
| 3.6 | Best for Additional Services | A+ | From Participating Partners
|
Best Availability
Best Availability
Tesla
(coverage varies by zip code)
Tesla entered the solar power industry after acquiring SolarCity in 2016. Tesla provides traditional solar panels, batteries and inverters, as well as cutting-edge solar roofing with solar shingles. In addition to panels and shingles, Tesla has a 25-year performance warranty, is widely available and provides limited price matching programs under specific conditions.
Learn more: Tesla Solar review
We picked Tesla because it provides comprehensive solar equipment installations nationwide. An added bonus? Tesla panels can seamlessly blend in with an existing roof while generating renewable energy year-round.
Why We Like It
We like Tesla for multiple reasons. The company offers traditional panels as well as cutting edge solar roofing to start. Additionally, Tesla promises to match the pricing of any solar roof manufacturer if you find a lower quote with similar specs within two weeks after your installation. Making the process even more affordable and easy to use, Tesla has multiple financing options, an app that allows customers to monitor their system performance and a five-year warranty for panel performance as well as a 10-year warranty for covering labor related to batteries, inverters and shingles.
What We Don’t Like
Unfortunately, Tesla is not BBB-accredited, and customers’ online reviews are mixed, with many highlighting inadequate customer service. Additionally, the cost of Tesla equipment can be significantly higher than that of the Maryland average, especially for shingles.
Also, financing is only available in some states. States like Alabama, Alaska, Wyoming, West Virginia and more lack financing options despite Tesla Solar’s availability. Financing is available in Maryland, however.
Who It’s Best For
Tesla is best for Maryland businesses and homeowners who want to leverage cutting-edge solar shingles that blend right into their roofs and Powerwall or Powerwall+ batteries.
Tesla offers homeowners solar panels, solar shingles, solar backup batteries, EV chargers and solar system monitoring. Payment options include cash or loans, based on zip code.
The Tesla name typically means customers can expect a quality product. However, there are online reviews that detail poor customer service from the company. Common complaints include system failures and the subsequent response time, which some customers describe as lacking. Issues reported range from malfunctioning panels to software problems that impact the functionality of the entire system.
Customers have also expressed frustration over delays that extend for weeks and, in some cases, months. This not only inconveniences them but also interrupts their solar energy generation, potentially increasing their reliance on traditional energy sources and raising their household costs during the interim.
These reviews suggest a gap between Tesla’s product quality and its customer service infrastructure.
Best Solar Equipment
Best Solar Equipment
Palmetto Solar
Founded in 2011, Palmetto Solar offers panels, inverters and batteries from various manufacturers, allowing you to customize your system to meet your home or business’s energy needs. It also provides a comprehensive warranty that covers panels, inverters, workmanship and roof penetration. Palmetto also boasts excellent user reviews and offers a proprietary monitoring app and additional services.
Learn more: Palmetto Solar review
We picked Palmetto because it provides various solar equipment options for your system. This allows you to customize it with multi-vendor parts, avoid specific manufacturers and leverage Maryland’s many sunny days for renewable energy.
Why We Like It
There’s a lot to like about Palmetto. Namely, the company has a warranty that covers panels for 25 years, inverters for 12, workmanship for 10 and roof penetration for five. We also appreciate the referral program which allows customers to earn based on how many friends they can refer. The Palmetto app, another great feature, lets customers monitor their solar system performance 24/7. Plus, there are three financing options—full purchase in cash, solar loans and solar leases—that help people afford panels, and the leases are 0% down.
Palmetto also has a 95% performance guarantee program. If a customer’s system produces less than 95% of its expected output, the company will send a check for the shortfall. These services, in addition to excellent reviews across multiple platforms, make Palmetto one of our top choices.
What We Don’t Like
Palmetto offers very comprehensive solar services, so there’s not much we disliked. We were not impressed, however, by the website’s lack of a community forum and live chat. It’s also worth noting that the monitoring app requires a monthly payment.
Additionally, Palmetto Finance, Palmetto’s solar lease program, is only available in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia, Massachusetts, Texas, California and Florida.
Who It’s Best For
Palmetto Solar is best for Maryland businesses and homeowners who want to leverage various equipment options from multiple manufacturers to create the perfect system for their needs at a very reasonable price.
Apart from solar installation, Palmetto can uninstall solar, reinstall solar and clean solar panels. The company offers solar backup batteries, electric vehicle (EV) chargers as well as performance maintenance and repair. System monitoring is available for an additional monthly fee. Payment options include full purchase, loans, leases and PPAs.
Palmetto Solar is BBB accredited and has an A+ rating. The majority of customer reviews for Palmetto are positive, praising the company for its professionalism, the efficiency of the installation process and the effectiveness of the solar products offered.
However, many customers complain about less-than-ideal wait times for system activation. This issue appears to stem from administrative delays or scheduling challenges post-installation, which can temper the initial enthusiasm of customers eager to transition to solar energy.
Best for Financing Options
Best for Financing Options
Sunrun
With 15 years of experience, Sunrun has become one of the leaders in the residential solar installation industry, installing solar panels from companies like LG, LONGi and Tesla. The company specializes in solar leasing, so the company can install your system for $0 down and charge a monthly payment. In these cases, Sunrun would own the system, not the customer.
Learn more: Sunrun review
We picked Sunrun because it provides comprehensive solar installation services for Maryland home and business owners. It offers systems from LG, Longi and Tesla, giving owners the flexibility to choose the specs that best suit their needs.
While Sunrun sells systems for cash and sets up loans for long-term payments, the company specializes in solar leases. The Sunrun Subscription Plan is a leasing plan where Sunrun installs, owns and maintains the system for $0 down in exchange for a monthly payment. The plan includes a 25-year warranty on equipment and workmanship, a 10-year warranty on roof penetration, and 24/7 system monitoring.
Why We Like It
Sunrun could be a great choice for Maryland homeowners for multiple reasons. The solar company offers multiple financing options as well as a 10-year guarantee on workmanship and production and a 10-year warranty on any roof damage inflicted during installation. The equipment is also covered under the manufacturer’s warranty, usually for 25 years.
Sunrun also has 15 years of experience and high user review ratings on various platforms. Another of our favorite features, the company has a referral program that nets you $350 for every friend you refer. Plus, customers can elect to have extra installation services like electric vehicle charging, a smart home control panel and Ford’s F-150 Lighting home integration system, which helps you build up power reserves for extended outages
What We Don’t Like
We don’t like Sunrun’s mixed-to-poor customer reviews on some platforms, though it’s worth noting there aren’t many negative reviews. Additionally, solar panel performance and battery health guarantees are only available if you enroll in the Sunrun subscription.
Who It’s Best For
Sunrun is best for those who want to build a solar system with multiple options from the country’s top panel manufacturers. It’s also a great option for those looking to lease solar panels and receive multiple perks with their monthly payment.
Apart from customized solar installation and the option of add-ons, Sunrun offers homeowners solar batteries, EV charger installations and system monitoring. Homeowners can take advantage of flexible payment options like cash, loan or lease.
Sunrun gets mixed reviews from customers yet still holds an accreditation from the Better Business Bureau along with an A+ rating. Numerous users have voiced their satisfaction with Sunrun’s customer service. These positive reviews often highlight the company’s responsiveness, the professionalism of staff and the clear communication throughout the process of purchasing and installing solar systems.
Conversely, Sunrun has faced criticism from some homeowners regarding specific issues like roofing damage and leaks following installation. These complaints typically focus on the perceived inadequacies in how Sunrun handles the integration of solar panels with existing roofing structures, which can lead to water intrusion and subsequent damage.
Best for Personalized Service
Best for Personalized Service
Solar Energy World
Founded in 2009, Solar Energy World (SEW) is a Maryland-based company that provides solar installation services throughout the East Coast, installing systems from manufacturers like Silfab, LONGi and Q Cells. The company also operates in Washington, D.C., Delaware, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey and Virginia. SEW also has an impressive 30-year warranty on solar panels and inverters.
We picked Solar Energy World because it’s a Maryland-based company that provides comprehensive solar panel, inverter and battery services from various manufacturers. It helps owners personalize their specs to perfectly fit their needs.
Why We Like It
Solar Energy World has a wide variety of manufactures for panels, inverters and batteries. SEW installs equipment from Silfab, LONGi, Qcells, SolarEdge, Enphase, Fronius and Tesla, giving you a lot of personalization in your installation. We like that the company’s browser client portal includes a system performance monitoring app and that there’s both a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all solar panels and inverters as well as a first-year performance guarantee. It ensures that the company will reimburse double the shortfall if your system doesn’t produce at least 90% of the expected output.
SEW has an excellent 4.5 out of 5 user review rating on the Better Business Bureau website and a referral system. Customers can receive $300 for referring a friend who installs a 6kW system (or less) and $500 for systems larger than 6kW. Finally, we appreciate that this solar installer has multiple financing options and repairs all leak-related damage from roof mount penetrations.
What We Don’t Like
Solar Energy World provides very comprehensive services for Maryland customers, so there’s not much we didn’t like. Based on some online reviews, the main setback seems to be that the company can have issues with poor communication.
Who It’s Best For
Solar Energy World is best for businesses and homeowners who want the most customizability in their solar installation. The company provides the most options for panels, inverters and batteries.
The company installs panels, batteries and microinverters and offers solar system monitoring. Payment options include cash, loan, lease or PPA.
Solar Energy World reviews mention some communication issues. On the Yelp page for its Maryland location, the company receives 4.1 out of 5, and the majority of customers gave rave reviews about the company’s competitive pricing, comprehensive service and professionalism.
Best for Additional Services
Best for Additional Services
Lumina Solar
Founded in 2018, Lumina Solar is an industry newcomer that operates in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. In addition to providing solar installation services for panels and Tesla batteries, Lumina offers dedicated solar maintenance and roofing services to ensure your roof is ready to support your system.
We picked Lumina Solar because it provides complete solar system installation services from top-class manufacturers like Silfab, REC Solar, Enphase and Tesla. Additionally, the company provides solar maintenance and roofing services through its two sister companies, Fusion Solar Services and Fusion Roof.
Why We Like It
We like that Lumina Solar offers multiple financing options and the option to build a custom solar system from multiple top-class manufacturers. Additionally, sister companies provide solar maintenance and roofing services. And there’s a 25-year warranty on solar panels and inverters as well as a 10-year workmanship warranty on every installation.
Overall, Lumina receives high customer review ratings across various platforms.
What We Don’t Like
The main aspect we didn’t like about Lumina Solar is its lack of experience as a solar installer, as it’s been active for less than 10 years. However, online reviews indicate that customers are mostly satisfied with the services. Additionally, Lumina is not BBB-accredited.
Who It’s Best For
Lumina is best for Maryland customers looking to take advantage of an up-and-coming company that provides comprehensive services and a variety of equipment options to create customized solutions for its clients.
Lumina Solar provides solar panel installation, roofing for solar-equipped properties and solar insurance. The company offers three financing options: solar purchase, loan and PPA.
Lumina Solar is not BBB accredited but receives an A+ rating from the BBB. The company has won several awards and is noted for its solid customer service. The majority of the reviews on Yelp and TrustPilot praised the company for its excellent customer service, experience and professionalism.
Maryland is an ideal location for solar power, offering more than 250 sunny days annually and generous state-specific incentives, including tax credits and rebates. The average cost of a 6kW solar system in Maryland is $12,401 after the 30% federal tax credit, which is slightly below the national average.
When searching for a solar company in Maryland, consider the following to ensure you select a provider that best fits your needs:
With this in mind, you should explore multiple Maryland solar installers to understand what they offer and compare their services before deciding.
Compare Quotes From Top-rated Solar Panel Installers
Free, No-commitment Estimates
Selecting the right solar installer is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of your investment. Here are key factors to consider when choosing a solar installer:
Installing solar can be expensive for homeowners. But each year, the cost creeps downwards, making installation much more affordable. Installing solar in Maryland costs $17,688 for a 6kWh solar system without a tax credit applied. Maryland offers several more incentives and rebates that can further reduce costs.
| SOLAR SYSTEM SIZE | AVERAGE ANNUAL SYSTEM OUTPUT* (KWH) | AVERAGE COST BEFORE FEDERAL TAX CREDIT | AVERAGE COST AFTER FEDERAL TAX CREDIT (30%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6kW | 8,000 – 10,000 | $17,040 | $11,928 |
| 8kW | 10,500 – 13,300 | $22,720 | $15,904 |
| 10kW | 13,300 – 16,700 | $28,400 | $19,880 |
| 12kW | 16,000 – 20,000 | $34,080 | $23,856 |
Compare Quotes From Top-rated Solar Panel Installers
Select a State To Get Started With Your No Commitment, Free Estimate
It’s understandable that the cost of solar panel installation might first seem prohibitive to Maryland homeowners. However, there are several incentives for Maryland solar systems at the federal and state levels that will help homeowners earn back their investment more quickly.
| INCENTIVE | DESCRIPTION | TYPE | OCCURRENCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax Credit | Owners claim 30% of their solar installation costs as a deduction on their federal taxes. | Tax Credit | One time |
| Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program | $1,000 installation rebate | Rebate | One time |
| No Property Tax Hike | Maryland does not tax any additional value increase due to your solar installation. | Tax Credit | Ongoing |
| Maryland-Eligible Renewable Energy Credit (REC) | Receive solar RECs you can sell or trade to electric suppliers. | Credit | Ongoing |
| Net Metering | Receive credits for any excess energy you produce and send it back to the public electric grid. Credits reduce future bills. | Credit | Ongoing. Unused credits expire each March |
| Local Incentives | Additional incentives depend on where you live. | Varies | Varies |
Maryland homeowners have until the end of 2032 to install a solar energy system that qualifies for a 30% tax rebate through the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit for the current year. (The credit decreases to 26% in 2033.) This means that they can apply 30% of the total cost of their solar panel installation toward their taxes for the current year.
Customers purchasing panels for their residence or through a loan can qualify to receive a $1,000 rebate on the cost of their installation. Customers can receive this as long as their system meets the minimum size requirement of 1 kW and is installed by a company certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
Residents in the state will not have any sales tax, which is typically 6%, added on the panels purchased. Your property value will increase when you add solar but Maryland does not tax any additional value increase due to your solar installation.
A Maryland homeowner will receive one Solar REC for every 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) produced by their solar energy installation in a year. These RECs can be sold or traded to electric suppliers in the state in accordance with the Maryland Renewable Portfolio Standard. (RPS). Any proceeds from the sale of RECs can offset the costs of the solar installation, in addition to any other rebates and savings associated with the switch to solar.
Maryland solar customers can participate in net metering programs. Homeowners who are connected to the grid can sell to their local utility company any unused electricity created by their solar panels. To be eligible for net metering, systems must have a capacity of less than 2 megawatts (MW) or 200% of the household’s annual baseline usage of electricity. Local electric utilities and cooperatives must allow any eligible Maryland solar customer to take advantage of net metering until the state’s net metering capacity reaches 1,500 MW.
Some counties in Maryland offer local incentives in the form of tax breaks or rebates. These include:
Looking For Hassle-Free Solar Installation
Find a network of trusted installers for solar system, solar panels and electricity needs. Find a solar panel installer today!
Yes. It’s a good move for Maryland homeowners to shift their household’s energy reliance to solar power. Sustainable energy isn’t just a good move for the environment, but it’s also good for your wallet. While that might seem like a lot of money in an attempt to lower your monthly energy bill, it will pay off over time—in about nine or 12 years, to be exact.
Additionally, homeowners might qualify for tax incentives that can lower the total cost of solar energy system installation. For example, the Federal Solar Tax Credit allows homeowners to apply 30% of their solar energy system’s cost as a credit on the current year’s tax bill.
| MARYLAND SOLAR SAVINGS: CALCULATING THE BREAK-EVEN POINT | |
|---|---|
| Average Cost of 6kW Solar System w/Installation | $17,040 |
| Maryland Incentives (30%) | $5,112 |
| Estimated System Cost (inc. Incentives) | $11,928 |
| Break Even Period | 10.65 years |
| 20-Year Savings | $27,213 |
| 25-Year Savings | $35,874 |
Maryland homeowners have lots of reasons to consider adding solar, ranging from increasing their home value to environmental benefits. Maryland ranks 19th in growth projects with 6.18% of electricity generated from solar power, according to SEIA. Data shows Americans in general are leaning more toward adopting solar and those who have already installed solar expressing satisfaction with their decision.
Forbes Home surveyed 1,000 people in America and looked at consumer trends and satisfaction. The survey found that 89.6% of homeowners with solar panels reported being satisfied with their choice. The survey noted that the cost of installing solar has dropped in recent years, making panel installation more affordable and attainable.
The main reasons for installing solar panels include energy independence (73%), cost savings (67%) and environmental concerns (50%). Some 82% of owners would recommend solar panel installation based on their experience. Some other key findings include:
These findings offer a complete view of solar trends and drivers.
Local Solar Companies By City
To determine the best solar company ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 26 major companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including
All figures and facts were accurate at the time of first publication.
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates solar companies in our detailed methodology page.
After extensive research, the Forbes Team believes Tesla is one of the best solar companies in Maryland. The company offers state-of-the-art solar panels and innovations like solar shingles and is widely available with a large network of installers.
Yes. It’s a good move for Maryland homeowners to shift their household’s energy reliance to solar power. Sustainable energy isn’t just a good move for the environment, but it’s also good for your wallet. While that might seem like a lot of money in an attempt to lower your monthly energy bill, it will pay off over time—in about nine or 12 years, to be exact.
Over that payback period (break even point), Maryland homeowners will enjoy a 78% to 106% offset of their energy bills after having made the switch to solar.
Additionally, there are tax incentives for which homeowners might qualify that can lower the total cost of solar energy system installation. For example, the Federal Solar Tax Credit allows homeowners to apply 30% of their solar energy system’s cost as a credit on the current year’s tax bill.
It will cost Maryland homeowners between $12,027 and $16,272 to install a 5 kW system for their home. Note that this is the out-of-pocket cost; it does not deduct any of the lucrative local incentives or the 30% federal investment tax credit for which homeowners may qualify.
The net 20-year savings—the amount of money saved minus the out-of-pocket costs—ranges between $16,943 and $22,923. This means that a Maryland homeowner will break even on their solar power investment in anywhere between nine and 12.2 years.
Barbara has written professionally for more than two decades. In the past five years, she has specialized in creating real estate and home improvement content. Besides writing for Forbes Home, she contributes to Apartment Therapy, Angi, The Spruce and more.
Lowe Larretta is a lead editor, covering all things related to home improvement and good design. She previously worked in the decor and lifestyle spaces for digital publishers such as Hunker, First Media and Ranker and has multiple years of experience creating design and DIY content.
