Solar Opportunities - Maryland

Solar Offerings and Incentives

All across Maryland, it is possible to find a qualified contractor to install rooftop solar on homes and businesses. Depending on where you live, you may be eligible to purchase solar power without actually installing the equipment on your property.  These community or shared solar opportunities are listed below.  Of course, you can always install solar on your home by hiring a qualified solar installer, even if you don’t live in one of these program areas.  If so, don’t forget to claim the state and local tax incentives.

State Tax Incentives and grants

Personal Tax Credit

Maryland offers a personal tax credit for electricity generated by solar systems. To qualify, systems must produce a minimum of 23,530 kWh annually and sell it to a taxable entity. More information about this tax credit can be found here.

Property Tax Exemption   

Solar and Wind Energy Systems are 100% exempt from both state and local property taxes in Maryland. More information on how to claim this exemption can be found here.

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Residential Solar Electricity Sales

Residential solar and wind electricity sales are exempt  from sales tax. In order to qualify for this exemption, the sale of the electricity must be on a residential property owned by someone who is net metering eligible. More information can be found here.

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs)

If you install solar on your home and connect your system to the grid, you will receive SRECs for the production of clean renewable energy from those panels. Those certificates can then be sold to utilities who need them to meet Maryland’s renewable portfolio standards. More information  can be found here. 

Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing

This program allows homeowners to borrow money to make energy improvements, including installing solar panels. PACE financing is authorized by local governments, so make sure to check with your municipality to see if there is a program established in your town. More information can be found here. 

Residential Clean Energy Grant

This program offers a  $1000 grant to households that install solar systems under 20 kilowatts in size. For more information about eligibility and how to get the grant can be found here.

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

A federal-level investment tax credit (ITC) is now available to consumers wanting to purchase small wind turbines, solar panels, or geothermal heat pumps.  The ITC, written into law through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, is available for equipment installed from Oct. 3, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2016. The credit covers 30% of the equipment cost, though some technologies have a credit cap of $2000. More details and a complete list of eligible technologies can be found here.

Local projects

University Park Community Solar

 University Park Solar sells solar power to subscribing members.

Eligibility: University Park Residents

More information can be found here.

Greenbelt Community Solar

Modeled on the University Park Community Solar project, this community solar project also sells solar power to subscribers in the local community.

Eligibility: Greenbelt Community Resident

More information can be found here:  http://www.greenbeltcommunitysolar.com/management-committee  or contact the LLC at greenbeltcommunitysolar@gmail.com.