Best 5 Solar Companies in Ellicott City, MD

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Ellicott City

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and valuable solar energy system. Consider each of these criteria in your contractor search.

Licensing and Training

A Maryland solar PV installation team must include a Home Improvement Commission-licensed contractor and a master electrician with at least seven years of experience. The contractor installs the panels, while the master electrician pulls permits and connects the system to the grid. If you're installing a solar water heater, your contracting team must include a master plumber for utility connections and permits. Check a company's website for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar industry's most credible trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Ellicott City

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but start at a more budget-friendly price point. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

Additional accessories, such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery storage, will add to your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar companies offer these extras, so look for a company that installs them if it's important for you.

You can plan to spend about $17,700 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Ellicott City. Use the table in this section to get an idea of how much Ellicott City solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Ellicott City

Choosing the right financing option will influence your overall solar system cost and expected savings. Common payment options include leases, cash payments, power purchase agreements, and loans. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the second most effective option. As with a home or auto loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for valuable solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to use your panels for a fixed monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay only for the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and don't grant you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. We advise working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Ask each representative about what's available, and obtain more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your budget.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Ellicott City.

You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, local governments and utilities may have their own financing plans and rebates that could reduce your total cost even more.