Palmetto Solar earns the distinction as Maryland’s top solar company thanks to its efficient and high-quality solar panels and its excellent customer service. Solar power has become increasingly popular in Maryland over the last few years. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, it’s ranked 23rd in the United States for solar power as of 2025. More than 81,000 solar installations have been completed in the state.
Maryland residents considering going solar have dozens of providers to choose from. We at the This Old House Team have reviewed the best solar installation companies across the country and highlighted our top recommendations for the Old Line State. This guide examines the qualities of our other top-recommended Maryland solar companies and explains how to find the right one for you.
Compare Solar Companies Across MD
| Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Warranties |
|---|---|---|---|
A+ | 25–30 years | ||
A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship |
Maryland’s Top Solar Energy Companies:
- Venture Solar: Best Northeast Regional Installer
- Solar Energy World: Best East Coast Installer
- LGCY Power: Best Solar Consultation
Our Top Solar Company Picks for Maryland
Solar Energy World
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extensive solar product catalog for better customizations
- Free system monitoring included
- NABCEP-certified installers and designers
Cons
- Reviews mentioned communication issues with staff
- No company-level power production coverage
- Warranty coverage varies by product
Why We Chose Solar Energy World
Solar Energy World provides personalized solar experiences to East Coast customers. Homeowners can choose from several top-quality solar panel brands, including Silfab, Q Cells, and Longi. You can customize your system with leading inverter and solar battery brands, including the popular Tesla Powerwall.
The company includes system monitoring through its app, which is compatible with smartphones, computers, and tablets. Its staff of NABCEP-certified installers and designers creates custom systems for each customer and assists with applying for solar incentives.
Of our survey respondents, 11% chose Solar Energy World.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
Solar Energy World offers manufacturer’s warranty coverage that varies from 25–30 years and power production for up to 25 years. However, coverage varies by solar panel brand and isn’t guaranteed with every brand.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPA
Reputation and Awards
From 2014 to 2022, Solar Energy World was recognized as one of Solar Power World’s Top Residential Installers. The company donates part of its profits to the GivePower Foundation, an organization that gives solar-powered water purification solutions to developing countries.
The company is accredited with the BBB and holds an A+ rating.
Customers praised the company for its easy installation process and helpful staff but experienced delays with the final system activation.
Venture Solar
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Adds a critter guard for extra protection against pests
- Creates clean-looking solar panel systems with its Venture Roof Jacks
- Includes a 25-year product warranty
Cons
- Doesn’t include a workmanship warranty
- Doesn’t provide pricing information online
Why We Chose Venture Solar
Venture Solar installs perfectly symmetrical solar systems with no visible wiring or mounting devices. This design offers a simple, stylish look tailored to the appearance of your roof.
Venture Solar Details
Venture Solar’s in-house team helps with every step of the solar installation process, from a free consultation to design and permitting. Installations are typically completed in one day.
After your system has been inspected and activated, you can track your system’s performance and savings through Venture Solar’s in-home monitoring system. The company also installs critter guards on its solar panels for pest control.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Certified partner of Sunrun, one of the largest U.S. solar companies
- Hands-on, guided installation process from start to finish
- Library of informative blogs and solar power guides
Cons
- Limited website details on offered solar products
- Some customer reviews noted customer support communication issues
- Varying product warranty lengths, depending on equipment
Why We Chose LGCY Power
LGCY Power offers a thorough solar consultation process, helping customers build the best custom system for their home. Customers receive a dedicated energy consultation that guides them through the solar panel installation. Its team also assists with applying for solar incentives, helping homeowners lower their solar panel costs. Its website includes guides and blogs on solar energy systems, financing options, and other solar-related topics.
The company works with Sunrun as a certified partner, offering its catalog of high-quality solar panels, inverters, and solar batteries. LGCY includes manufacturer and workmanship warranties. However, warranty length varies between products. LGCY also offers its customers ongoing system maintenance and 24-hour monitoring.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
LGCY offers product, inverter, and workmanship warranties. However, warranty length varies between its products.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPAs
Reputation and Awards
LGCY ranked 17th on the 2023 Inc. 5000 for the Rocky Mountain region. The company also ranked in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Utah Business chose LGCY for its 2019 Fast 50 list, recognized as one of the state’s fastest-growing companies.
The company maintains an A rating with the BBB* and is accredited by the organization. When checking online reviews, we found customers praised LGCY Power for its dedicated project managers and informed consultants but experienced communication issues with customer support.
Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.
What Are the Available Solar Incentives in Maryland?
Solar owners in Maryland may qualify for various state and federal rebates and tax credits. We’ve highlighted the key Maryland solar incentives below.
- Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC): The federal solar tax credit allows you to claim 30% of your solar installation costs on your federal tax return. This rate will be reduced to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034 before ending. You must purchase your system in full or take out a loan to qualify.
- Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credit: The Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credit provides a state tax credit of up to $5,000 to solar owners who install battery backup storage.
- Maryland Solar Property Tax Exemption: Maryland exempts solar customers from paying taxes on the increased home value from installing solar panels. Solar power equipment is also exempt from sales tax.
- Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program: Homeowners who install clean energy systems may be eligible for a $1,000 solar rebate from the Maryland Energy Administration.
- Net metering: All investor-owned utilities in Maryland must offer net-metering programs, which allow customers to get a 1-to-1 credit on their electric bill for any excess energy that their solar system sends to the grid.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs): You earn one solar renewable energy certificate for every 1,000 kWh of solar energy you produce. You can sell SRECs to participating companies looking to invest in solar energy. You must be registered with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to participate.
We surveyed 1,000 recent solar buyers in early 2024 and learned that 64% used the federal solar tax credit, 32% enrolled in a net metering program, and 30% took advantage of a local rebate program.
- A few Maryland counties offer additional tax credits, including Harford County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, and Prince George’s County. Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for more information.
Our Conclusion
We recommend getting at least three quotes from solar installers to compare pricing and services, as the price you’ll pay to go solar can vary significantly between installers. The providers listed above are an excellent place to start, but here are a few well-reviewed local Maryland solar companies to consider:
- Solar Energy World (Elkridge)
- Lumina Solar (Baltimore)
- Celestial Solar (Frederick)
- Solar SME (Annapolis)
- Aurora Energy (Columbia)
Our top pick is Palmetto due to its high-quality solar panels and its well-rated customer service. No matter what provider you choose, consider product selection, financing, warranties, performance monitoring, and customer reviews.
Other Maryland Home Service Resources
FAQs About Solar Companies in Maryland
How much would it cost to install solar panels in Maryland?
According to Berkeley Lab’s 2021 Tracking the Sun report, the median price of a solar panel system in Maryland is $3.20 per watt, below the national average of $3.80 per watt. That means a typical 5–8 kilowatt (kW) system would cost $16,000–$25,600 before applying the federal tax credit.
Is Maryland a good place for solar?
Yes, Maryland’s comparatively low solar panel costs and wide variety of tax incentives make it an excellent place to go solar.
Will solar panels add value to my Maryland home?
Yes, solar panels will add value to your home. A 2019 report from Zillow found that homes with solar panels sold for an average of 4.1% more than homes without them. The exact increase in value will depend on several variables, such as market demand, panel efficiency, and utility bill savings.
What are Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)?
Solar renewable energy certificates, or SRECs, are credits provided to homeowners who produce a certain amount of solar energy. Companies or government bodies can purchase these certificates from homeowners to show they’re meeting their regulatory solar energy goals.
Our Methodology
The This Old House Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
