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6 Best Solar Companies in Maryland (2024 Guide)

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Default Author Icon Written by Tamara Jude + 1 other Reviewer Icon Reviewed by Roger Horowitz Updated 03/01/2024

Solar power has become increasingly popular in Maryland over the last few years. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, it’s ranked 19th in the United States for solar power as of 2023. More than 81,000 solar installations have been completed in the state.

Maryland residents considering going solar have dozens of providers to choose from. We at the This Old House Reviews Team have reviewed the best solar installation companies across the country and highlighted our top recommendations for the Old Line State.


Compare Solar Companies Across MD

Company Star Rating Warranties Payment Options Link
4.5
10–25 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
4.4
10–25 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
4.2
25 years Full purchase, loan, lease GET QUOTE
4.4
25–30 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
4.2
N/A N/A GET QUOTE
4.0
10-25 years Full purchase, loan GET QUOTE
No results were found.

Maryland’s Top Solar Energy Companies:

SunPower: Best High-Efficiency Solar Panels
Sunrun: Best Solar Panel Leasing
Palmetto: Best Customer Support
Solar Energy World: Best East Coast Installer
Venture Solar: Best Northeast Regional Installer
Trinity Solar: Best Certified Installer

Our Top Solar Company Picks for Maryland

Learn More: SunPower review

Sunrun Best Solar Panel Leasing
4.5
  • Why We Picked It: Sunrun, which recently acquired Vivint Solar, offers various financing options, including two lease types. Each option includes system monitoring and comprehensive insurance.
Pros and Cons
Pros 10-year warranty on parts and workmanship Loan and two lease options Solar batteries and EV charging Cons Mixed customer reviews Limited product information online
Sunrun Details

Sunrun offers full purchases, solar loans, and two leasing options for maximum flexibility. The first lease option is a monthly contract with little to no money down. The second option is a 25-year lease that allows you to pay in one lump sum. Both lease options include full maintenance and system monitoring.

In addition to solar panels, Sunrun offers leading solar panel batteries from LG Chem and Tesla. Solar batteries allow you to store energy to use at night or during low-sunlight hours. Sunrun’s bumper-to-bumper warranties cover the entire system plus roof leaks for 10 years.

Learn more: Sunrun Review

Palmetto Best Customer Support
4.4
  • Why We Picked It: Palmetto Solar is our top choice for customer service. It offers comprehensive solar panel design and installation services, and its online savings calculator allows you to estimate how much money you’ll save by going solar.
Pros and Cons
Pros 25-year performance guarantee on panels App for monitoring system performance Battery storage available Cons Additional monthly fee for monitoring No lease or PPA options
Palmetto Solar Details

Palmetto Solar’s expert team can guide you through the design, installation, and maintenance process. The company’s representatives will also help you sign up for available tax incentives and rebates. Palmetto doesn’t provide pricing information online, but its website claims Maryland homeowners can install solar panels for as little as $85 per month and save an average of $24,565 over 25 years.

Palmetto Solar’s 25-year performance guarantee is one of the longest in the industry. The company provides several additional services, such as the Palmetto Protect plan, which ensures your system works at peak efficiency. This plan starts at $8 per month for system monitoring and prioritized customer support.

Solar installation companies typically offer four financing options: up-front purchase, solar loan, solar lease, or power purchase agreement (PPA). Up-front purchases require you to pay for your system in full, while solar loans allow you to space out the cost in monthly payments with interest. These are the only two payment options Palmetto offers, but both ensure you own your system and qualify for cost-saving tax incentives.

Other companies will install the system for free and allow you to lease the panels at a set monthly rate. You can also enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA), which allows you to pay only for the power you produce, similar to a monthly electricity bill. However, these options won’t grant you system ownership and disqualify you from tax incentives.

Learn more: Palmetto Solar Review

Solar Energy World

Best East Coast Installer
4.4

Pros and Cons

Pros Extensive solar product catalog for better customizations Free system monitoring included NABCEP-certified installers and designers Cons Reviews mentioned communication issues with staff No company-level power production coverage Warranty coverage varies by product

Why We Chose Solar Energy World

Solar Energy World provides personalized solar experiences to East Coast customers. Homeowners can choose from several top-quality solar panel brands, including Silfab, Q Cells, and Longi. You can customize your system with leading inverter and solar battery brands, including the popular Tesla Powerwall.

The company includes system monitoring through its app, which is compatible with smartphones, computers, and tablets. Its staff of NABCEP-certified installers and designers create custom systems for each customer and assist with applying for solar incentives.

Of our survey respondents, 11% chose Solar Energy World.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Solar Energy World offers manufacturer’s warranty coverage that varies from 25–30 years and power production for up to 25 years. However, coverage varies by solar panel brand and isn’t guaranteed with every brand.

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPA

Reputation and Awards

From 2014–2022, Solar Energy World was recognized as one of Solar Power World’s Top Residential Installers. The company donates part of its profits to the GivePower Foundation, an organization that gives solar-powered water purification solutions to developing countries.

The company is accredited with the BBB and holds an A+ rating.

Customers praised the company for its easy installation process and helpful staff but experienced delays with the final system activation.

Venture Solar Best Northeast Regional Installer
4.2
  • Why We Picked It: Venture Solar installs perfectly symmetrical solar systems with no visible wiring or mounting devices. This design offers a simple, stylish look tailored to the appearance of your roof.
Pros and Cons
Pros Adds a critter guard for extra protection against pests Creates clean-looking solar panel systems with its Venture Roof Jacks Includes a 25-year product warranty Cons Doesn’t include a workmanship warranty Doesn’t provide pricing information online
Venture Solar Details

Venture Solar’s in-house team helps with every step of the solar installation process, from a free consultation to design and permitting. Installations are typically completed in one day.

After your system has been inspected and activated, you can track your system’s performance and savings through Venture Solar’s in-home monitoring system. The company also installs critter guards on its solar panels for pest control.

Learn more: Venture Solar review

Trinity Best Certified Installer
4.2
  • Why We Picked It: Trinity Solar has been in the industry for nearly 30 years and is the only family-owned business on our list.
Pros and Cons
Pros Family-owned and operated Nearly three decades in the industry Positive customer service reviews Cons Limited product information Workmanship warranty only lasts 5 years
Trinity Solar Details

Trinity Solar has installed more than 77,000 solar systems in nine states, making it the most experienced company on our list. It’s been servicing Maryland since 2015, where it’s helping the state to meet its renewable energy goals by 2040. The company’s solar panel systems may be purchased, financed, or leased. You can also add battery storage and backup.

Trinity’s 5-year workmanship warranty is short compared to industry standards, and the company doesn’t guarantee savings on your electric bill. We still recommend the company because it has a good reputation and strong track record.

Learn More: Solar Energy World Review



What Are the Available Solar Incentives in Maryland?

Solar owners in Maryland may qualify for various state and federal rebates and tax credits. We’ve highlighted the key Maryland solar incentives below.

  • Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC): The federal solar tax credit allows you to claim 30% of your solar installation costs on your federal tax return. This rate will reduce to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034 before ending. You must purchase your system in full or take out a loan to qualify.
  • Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credit: The Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credit provides a state tax credit of up to $5,000 to solar owners who install battery backup storage.
  • Maryland Solar Property Tax Exemption: Maryland exempts solar customers from paying taxes on the increased home value from installing solar panels. Solar power equipment is also exempt from sales tax. 
  • Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program: Homeowners who install clean energy systems may be eligible for a $1,000 solar rebate from the Maryland Energy Administration.
  • Net metering: All investor-owned utilities in Maryland must offer net-metering programs, which allow customers to get a 1-to-1 credit on their electric bill for any excess energy that their solar system sends to the grid.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs): You earn one solar renewable energy certificate for every 1,000 kWh of solar energy you produce. You can sell SRECs to participating companies looking to invest in solar energy. You must be registered with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to participate.
A few Maryland counties offer additional tax credits, including Harford County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, and Prince George’s County. Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for more information.

Our Conclusion

We recommend SunPower as our top pick for homeowners in Maryland if they want to go solar. However, we also recommend getting at least three quotes from solar installers to compare pricing and services, as the price you’ll pay to go solar can vary significantly between installers. The providers listed above are an excellent place to start, but here are a few well-reviewed local Maryland solar companies to consider:

  • Solar Energy World (Elkridge)
  • Lumina Solar (Baltimore)
  • Celestial Solar (Frederick)
  • Solar SME (Annapolis)
  • Aurora Energy (Columbia)

Our top pick is SunPower due to its high-efficiency solar panels that are produced in-house and its well-rated customer service that includes a 25-year performance guarantee. Whichever provider you choose, consider product selection, financing, warranties, performance monitoring, and customer reviews.


Other Maryland Home Service Resources


FAQs About Solar Companies in Maryland

How much would it cost to install solar panels in Maryland?

According to Berkeley Lab’s 2021 Tracking the Sun report, the median price of a solar panel system in Maryland is $3.20 per watt, below the national average of $3.80 per watt. That means a typical 5–8 kilowatt (kW) system would cost $16,000–$25,600 before applying the federal tax credit.

Is Maryland a good place for solar?

Yes, Maryland’s comparatively low solar panel costs and wide variety of tax incentives make it an excellent place to go solar.

Will solar panels add value to my Maryland home?

Yes, solar panels will add value to your home. A 2019 report from Zillow found that homes with solar panels sold for an average of 4.1% more than homes without them. The exact increase in value will depend on several variables, such as market demand, panel efficiency, and utility bill savings.

What are Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)?

Solar renewable energy certificates, or SRECs, are credits provided to homeowners who produce a certain amount of solar energy. Companies or government bodies can purchase these certificates from homeowners to show they’re meeting their regulatory solar energy goals.


Our Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

  • Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
  • Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
  • Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
  • Financing options (15%)
  • Experience (10%)
  • Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.