Solar in Maryland: is it worth it in 2026?
Maryland is a good state for solar: most homes that buy a system get their money back in about a decade. Three things decide that: electricity prices rank 14th of 51, its sun ranks 23rd, and exported power earns full retail credit. Of the 51 states and DC, Maryland has the 8th-fastest payback for a typical home.
The average home here pays about $184 a month for 944 kWh. A 7.5 kW system sized for that home would knock about $2,039 off the first year's bills, 92% of the total.
Checked November 12, 2026
What makes solar pay off in Maryland
- Size the system to cover your yearly use. With full net metering, power you export is worth as much as power you use, so timing matters less than in most states.
- The price per watt decides it. At 19.5¢ per kWh, the price per watt matters as much as the sun. At $3.34 per watt, the high end of what companies quote, payback for a typical system here stretches to 13 years.
Payback by system size
An average Maryland home uses about 11,328 kWh a year. Here's how systems sized to cover part or all of that work out, bought with cash at $2.57 per watt:
| Covers | Size | Price | Makes a year | Payback | 25-year savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49% | 4 kW | $10,280 | 5,568 kWh | 9 years | $21,871 |
| 74% | 6 kW | $15,420 | 8,352 kWh | 9 years | $34,119 |
| 98% | 8 kW | $20,560 | 11,136 kWh | 9 years | $46,366 |
| 123% | 10 kW | $25,700 | 13,920 kWh | 10 years | $50,087 |
The 4 kW system pays back fastest, but the 10 kW system saves the most over 25 years. Assumes exported power earns full credit, prices rise 2.5% a year and one inverter replacement.
How Maryland credits power you send to the grid
Full credit (net metering)
Retail-rate net metering today. A new program, expected to pay less for exported power, must be in place by July 2027.
Coming up: New program due by July 2027. Systems connected before a change are often kept on the old rules for years; ask your utility.
By utility
- Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE): Retail-rate net metering under Maryland law. A new program, expected to pay less for exported power, must be in place by July 2027.
- Pepco (Maryland and DC): Retail-rate net metering in both Maryland and the District of Columbia. Maryland's replacement program is due by July 2027.
Before you sign in Maryland
Check the license. Look the company up with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission, by its legal name or license number, and ask for the electrician's license number too.
Maryland has no solar-specific sales law that we know of, so its general consumer protection law applies.
In every state, the FTC Cooling-Off Rule lets you cancel a contract signed at your home until midnight of the third business day.
How to choose a solar company · Contract checklist · Before you sign
Maryland compared with its neighbors
| State | Electricity | kWh per kW | Typical payback | Exported power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 19.5¢ | 1,392 | 9 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| Pennsylvania | 19.3¢ | 1,356 | 10 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| Delaware | 17.1¢ | 1,364 | 11 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| Virginia | 15.3¢ | 1,427 | 11 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| West Virginia | 15.4¢ | 1,219 | 17 years | Reduced credit (net billing) |
| District of Columbia | 21.9¢ | 1,391 | 8 years | Full credit (net metering) |
Questions about solar in Maryland
How long does solar take to pay for itself in Maryland?
About 9 years for a typical 7.5 kW system bought with cash at the 2026 median price of $2.57 per watt, with no federal tax credit and one inverter replacement. A bigger or smaller system, a different price, or your own usage will change that; the table above shows other sizes.
Does Maryland have net metering?
Yes. Retail-rate net metering today. A new program, expected to pay less for exported power, must be in place by July 2027.
Is there a solar tax credit in Maryland in 2026?
Not from the federal government for buyers: the 30% homeowner credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. For a typical 7.5 kW system in Maryland, that credit was worth about $5,783 and brought payback down to 7 years, instead of 9 years now. Leasing companies can still claim a business credit, so ask for a lease or PPA price too. Your state energy office lists any state rebates.
Is a solar battery worth it in Maryland?
Not for savings. Maryland credits exported power at the full retail rate, and storing power in a battery loses about 10% of it, so a battery saves nothing on the bill. It can still be worth it for backup during outages: a 13.5 kWh battery costs about $15,650 installed in 2026.
Is plug-in solar legal in Maryland?
Yes, under HB 1532, up to 1,200 watts per meter. Notice to the utility before installing; a disconnect switch may be required in some cases.
How do I check a solar company's license in Maryland?
Look the company up with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (labor.maryland.gov/license/hic) by its legal name or license number, and ask for the electrician's license too.
More guides: What changed for solar in 2026 · Lease or buy? · Plug-in solar · Is my solar system working?
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), final 2025 data: Annual State Historical Spreadsheets (Form EIA-861, released October 7, 2026) and Electric Power Annual (October 21, 2026); NREL PVWatts (National Solar Radiation Database), statewide averages; Solar.com: '50 States of Solar', where net metering is changing; Solar Energy Nerds: net metering by state, 2026; Solar.com: Plug-in solar, the 2026 guide; EnergySage: median quoted price, first half of 2026.