Independent solar advice in Baltimore

Baltimore Solar Installation 2026

BGE 1:1 net metering protected through 2028. SREC income adds $440 to $1,125 per year. Rowhouse and full-lot solar options for Baltimore City and County.

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The federal residential solar tax credit ended on December 31, 2025. We tell you the truth about what is left in 2026: which state programs still apply, and which financing paths can still capture federal value.

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Average local electricity rate (cents/kWh): 15.9
Peak sun hours per day (NREL): 4.74
Typical installed cost per watt: $2.57
Estimated payback (years, zero federal credit): 10

Electricity rate as of 2026-04-01. Sun hours: NREL PVWatts, Baltimore fixed tilt annual average; July peak 5.77 hrs/day (TurbineGenerator.org). Cost per watt: EnergySage June 2026, Baltimore City and County. Payback estimate assumes zero federal residential credit (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025) and current utility net-metering tariffs.

Net metering in Baltimore

BGE full retail 1:1 net metering per Maryland law (Senate Bill 65, protected through at least 2028). BGE spring 2026 price to compare: 16.64 cents/kWh. BGE calculates net metering credits in kWh (not dollars), insulating credits from rate changes during the credit period. Credits roll forward month to month indefinitely. Annual excess credits settled at avoided cost approximately $0.05 to $0.07/kWh at annual settlement date (typically May or June). SREC income from solar production adds $40 to $75 per SREC (1 SREC = 1 MWh). Qualified per BGE net metering tariff as of June 2026.

Available programs

Solar incentives in Baltimore, MD for 2026

Incentives available in MD

Federal residential solar credit (Section 25D): expired. The Section 25D residential investment tax credit expired December 31, 2025. The residential credit rate is 0%. State and local incentives below may still significantly reduce your net system cost. Commercial systems still qualify for Section 48E (30%).

Active solar incentives in MD
Program	Benefit	Eligibility	Status	Source
Maryland SREC Market (1.5x Multiplier Through January 2028) Local/State Incentive	$40 to $75 per SREC (1 SREC = 1 MWh generated). 1.5x multiplier for certified systems installed July 2024 through January 2028. A typical 11.48 kW Baltimore system generates 11 to 15 SRECs/year worth $440 to $1,125/year in additional income beyond net metering. SREC prices are market-dependent and fluctuate between $40 and $75 per credit. The 1.5x multiplier for installations through January 2028 is locked in for the system's production. Verify current market price at Flett Exchange (flettexchange.com) before signing.	All Maryland grid-tied residential solar systems. SACP floor of $45 through 2026 provides a price floor.	Active	DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Maryland Sales and Use Tax Exemption Local/State Incentive	6% tax exemption on solar equipment and installation. Saves approximately $1,770 on a typical Baltimore system.	All Maryland solar purchases. Automatic; no application required.	Active	DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Maryland Property Tax Exemption Local/State Incentive	Solar added value excluded from property assessment statewide. Solar installations cannot raise your property tax bill.	All Maryland homeowners with solar.	Active	DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Baltimore County Energy Conservation Devices Tax Credit Local/State Incentive Funding is limited. Verify availability before signing.	Up to $5,000 (50% of system cost, maximum $5,000) applied against Baltimore County property taxes. Apply through Baltimore County Office of Budget and Finance. Waiting list common due to annual $1.5M budget cap. This is a Baltimore COUNTY credit - it does not apply to Baltimore City properties.	Baltimore COUNTY property owners only (does not apply to Baltimore City). Annual $1.5M budget cap; waiting list is common.	Limited	DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Baltimore Shines / Civic Works Local/State Incentive Funding is limited. Verify availability before signing.	Free solar installation for income-qualified Baltimore City homeowners. System sizes up to 5.7 kW. Program goal: 170 city installs by end of 2026. EPA grant reduction in 2025 scaled back system sizes to 5.7 kW maximum. Verify current availability and waitlist status at civicworks.com/solar.	Baltimore City homeowners with income at or below approximately $54,600/year for a family of four (income-qualified). EPA grant program via Civic Works nonprofit.	Limited	DSIRE (opens in new tab)
BGE EmPOWER Maryland Local/State Incentive	Up to $10,000 heat pump rebate and up to $10,000 insulation/air sealing rebates via BGE. Bundle with solar for a whole-home efficiency upgrade.	BGE residential customers. Requires Home Performance with ENERGY STAR audit.	Active	DSIRE (opens in new tab)
Maryland Solar Access Bridge Fund Local/State Incentive Funding is limited. Verify availability before signing.	Partial offset for homeowners affected by the federal ITC expiration (December 2025). Designed specifically to replace some of the lost Section 25D value for qualifying Maryland homeowners. Verify current availability at energy.maryland.gov. Created specifically to partially offset the December 2025 federal ITC expiration.	Income-qualifying homeowners. Limited 2026 availability.	Limited	DSIRE (opens in new tab)

Data last verified June 29, 2026. Incentive programs change; verify current amounts and availability at dsireusa.org (opens in new tab) before committing to a project.

California property-tax exclusion sunsets December 31, 2026. Solar systems installed and permitted by December 31, 2026 lock in the exclusion for the life of the system under current California law (Revenue and Taxation Code Section 73). Systems installed in 2027 may not qualify if the Legislature does not extend the exemption. Verify current legislative status at ftb.ca.gov before signing a contract.

Why Baltimore homeowners are moving now

After the January 2025 wildfires, battery storage became a priority

BGE's spring 2026 price to compare of 16.64 cents/kWh is among the higher residential rates in the Mid-Atlantic, strengthening the economics of net metering for Baltimore homeowners. SREC income adds $440 to $1,125 per year in passive revenue beyond net metering savings on a typical system. Civic Works has been running the Baltimore Shines program since 2024, with a goal of 170 free solar installations for income-qualified Baltimore City homeowners by end of 2026, demonstrating city-level adoption momentum in East and West Baltimore neighborhoods historically underserved by clean energy programs.

Source: Baltimore Shines program (Civic Works) - 170 free solar installs for income-qualified city homeowners by end of 2026 (2026).

Illustrative example

What does a typical Baltimore solar system actually cost and save?

Zero federal residential credit applied (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025). Figures are estimates based on market data as of 2026-06-29. Your numbers depend on your roof, your utility, and your bill.

System inputs

System size: 11.48 kW
Gross cost ($2.57/W): $29,504
Federal residential credit: $0 (expired Dec 31, 2025)
MD 6% sales tax exemption (saves approximately $1,770): Applied
MD property tax exemption: Applied
Maryland SREC income $40 to $75/SREC for 11 to 15 SRECs/year (est. $440 to $1,125/year): Applied
Estimated net cost: $27,734

Estimated outcomes

Annual savings range: $1,800 to $2,800
Estimated payback: 10 years

An 11.48 kW system at $2.57/W grosses $29,504 before incentives. Zero federal residential credit applies (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025). The Maryland 6% sales tax exemption saves approximately $1,770. SREC income of $440 to $1,125/year adds a passive revenue stream beyond net metering savings. Maryland 1:1 net metering is protected through at least 2028 under Senate Bill 65. Baltimore rowhouses (most common in the city) support 6 to 10 kW systems; Baltimore County detached homes typically support 10 to 14 kW.

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Neighborhoods we serve

Solar in Baltimore: high-adoption areas, equity zones, and post-fire demand corridors

High-adoption neighborhoods

Established solar saturation; higher installers per block, active neighbor referrals, and permit history at LADBS.

Hampden
Charles Village
Waverly
Towson
Catonsville

Equity program target areas

Designated disadvantaged communities (DAC) eligible for SGIP equity resiliency, DAC-SASH, and other income-qualified programs. Income verification required.

East Baltimore
West Baltimore
Cherry Hill
Park Heights

Post-fire and growth corridors

Wildfire-affected and adjacent neighborhoods where battery storage demand surged following the January 2025 fires. Rebuilding homeowners and proximate neighbors with elevated grid-resilience priorities.

Remington
Parkville
Essex
Dundalk

LOCAL INSTALL PHOTO -- BALTIMORE -- TO BE PROVIDED

Permitting and interconnection

How solar permitting works in Baltimore

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

Permit office: Baltimore City: Department of Housing and Community Development (ePermits portal). Baltimore County: Department of Permitting Services (DPS), two separate permits required.
SolarAPP+ status: SolarAPP+: Available (standard review)
Permit fee: Statewide $500 permit fee cap under the 2026 Utility RELIEF Act (HB 1532). Baltimore City: SolarAPP+ available via ePermits under Maryland Brighter Tomorrow Act mandate (effective August 2025). Baltimore County: two permits required (building and electrical) via DPS; structural load letter required for roof verification. $500 state cap applies to both jurisdictions.
Typical contract-to-energization: 6 to 12 weeks (permitting 2-6 weeks, BGE interconnection 4-8 weeks after installation)

We handle the permit and interconnection filings

LADBS permit application and plan set preparation
SolarAPP+ submission for qualifying systems
LADWP or SCE interconnection application
Inspection coordination and utility sign-off
Certificate of Completion delivery to homeowner

Baltimore rowhouses (Hampden, Remington, Waverly, Charles Village) average 900 to 1,200 sq ft of roof area, limiting practical system sizes to 6 to 10 kW. South-facing rear roof sections are preferred where historic overlay zones restrict street-facing aesthetics (Otterbein, Federal Hill). Baltimore County properties (Towson, Catonsville, Parkville) with detached homes and larger roofs typically support 10 to 14 kW systems. Baltimore County requires a structural load letter for roof verification before permit approval.

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Serving Baltimore and surrounding MD communities

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Hampden, Baltimore REVIEW -- TO BE PROVIDED

[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial from Hampden rowhouse owner describing south-facing rear installation and BGE net metering plus SREC income]

System: 8 kW rooftop solar, BGE, Maryland SREC

Towson, Baltimore County REVIEW -- TO BE PROVIDED

[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial from Towson homeowner detailing BGE SREC income, Baltimore County 50% tax credit, and solar ROI]

System: 12 kW rooftop solar, BGE, Baltimore County Energy Conservation Tax Credit

Catonsville, Baltimore County REVIEW -- TO BE PROVIDED

[REVIEW TEXT - TO BE PROVIDED: real customer testimonial from Catonsville homeowner with SREC market income details and BGE 1:1 net metering protection through 2028]

System: 11 kW rooftop solar, BGE, 1.5x SREC multiplier

For business owners and property managers

Commercial Solar in Baltimore

Baltimore's industrial buildings, commercial real estate, and nonprofits can access BGE commercial net metering, Maryland's 1.5x SREC multiplier through January 2028, and the federal Section 48E commercial credit for projects starting construction by July 4, 2026. The Maryland Solar Energy Loan (SEF) and state grant programs have been active in Baltimore commercial and nonprofit solar installations.

See commercial solar options

Commercial solar projects must begin construction by July 4, 2026 to qualify for the 30 percent Section 48E federal tax credit. After that date, the system must be placed in service by December 31, 2027.

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Baltimore solar questions

What Baltimore homeowners ask

City-specific answers. Every number references your utility and your permit office.

Can I go solar on a Baltimore rowhouse?

Yes, but roof area is the key constraint. Baltimore rowhouses average 900 to 1,200 sq ft of roof area, limiting practical system sizes to 6 to 10 kW. South-facing rear roof sections are often preferred, especially in neighborhoods with historic overlay zones such as Otterbein and Federal Hill where street-facing aesthetics are regulated. A shade and roof assessment is an essential first step. Baltimore County homeowners in Towson, Catonsville, and Parkville with detached homes and larger lots can typically accommodate 10 to 14 kW systems.

How does Maryland net metering work with BGE?

BGE provides full 1:1 retail net metering per Maryland law (protected through at least 2028 under Senate Bill 65). Credits roll forward month to month indefinitely. BGE calculates credits in kWh rather than dollars, which insulates them from rate changes during the credit period. At the annual settlement date (typically May or June), any remaining accumulated credits are paid out at the avoided cost rate of approximately $0.05 to $0.07/kWh rather than the full retail credit.

What are Maryland SRECs and how much do they earn?

A Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) represents 1 MWh of solar electricity generated. Maryland SREC prices range from $40 to $75 per credit as of June 2026, with a statutory floor of $45 per SREC through 2026. A typical 11.48 kW Baltimore system generates 11 to 15 SRECs per year, earning $440 to $1,125/year in passive income beyond net metering bill savings. Systems installed through January 2028 qualify for a 1.5x production multiplier that increases the effective SREC count.

Is there a federal solar tax credit in 2026?

No. The Section 25D residential federal solar credit expired December 31, 2025 under H.R. 1. Maryland's active incentives include: SREC income ($40 to $75/SREC), the 6% sales tax exemption, the property tax exemption, the Maryland Solar Access Bridge Fund (limited availability for income-qualifying homeowners), and the Baltimore County Energy Conservation Devices Tax Credit (up to $5,000 for Baltimore County property owners, not Baltimore City).

More solar resources for Maryland:

Maryland solar guide All cities

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