Best 5 Solar Companies in Glen Burnie, MD

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Glen Burnie

The price and effectiveness of solar panels often hinge on which company mounted them. Here are some key items to bear in mind while searching for a solar provider.

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. Solar installers can also obtain accreditations from trade groups and standards organizations. The most recognized ones in the industry come from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Glen Burnie

Your solar panels' style will impact how much electricity you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

Additional accessories, such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery storage, will increase your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar provider offers these optional components, so look for a company that sells them if it's crucial for you.

If you're a resident of Glen Burnie and are considering getting a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $17,700 for materials and labor. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Glen Burnie

There are numerous ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will reduce your expenses. A few of the most common options include leases, cash payments, loans, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most affordable choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the next best option. As with a home or auto loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) lets you pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. We recommend working with a contractor that offers multiple financing options. Talk to 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 Glen Burnie.

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal solar tax credit on your new solar panels, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Municipal authorities and utilities might also offer their own financing programs, rebates, and incentives that could save you more money.