6 Best Solar Companies in Maryland (2024 Guide)

• Why We Picked It: SunPower Solar is available in all 50 states plus Washington D.C., making it one of the largest companies on our list. It sells and installs its panels through local distributors.

SunPower offers some of the highest-efficiency panels available. Its panels are produced by Maxeon, a former subsidiary of the company, and work optimally with its other in-house components.

SunPower offers a comprehensive 25-year warranty covering all system elements, including shipping and installation. The company claims that its panels will perform at 92% capacity after 25 years, higher than the average guarantee of 80.7%.

SunPower’s high-quality panels come at a premium price. The company also doesn’t sell directly to customers and operates through a network of local distributors instead. Edge Energy serves the Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. area. This company has an average rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) but high customer ratings on SolarReviews.

• Why We Picked It: Sunrun, which recently acquired Vivint Solar, offers various financing options, including two lease types. Each option includes system monitoring and comprehensive insurance.

Sunrun offers full purchases, solar loans, and two leasing options for maximum flexibility. The first lease option is a monthly contract with little to no money down. The second option is a 25-year lease that allows you to pay in one lump sum. Both lease options include full maintenance and system monitoring.

In addition to solar panels, Sunrun offers leading solar panel batteries from LG Chem and Tesla. Solar batteries allow you to store energy to use at night or during low-sunlight hours. Sunrun’s bumper-to-bumper warranties cover the entire system plus roof leaks for 10 years.

• Why We Picked It: Palmetto Solar is our top choice for customer service. It offers comprehensive solar panel design and installation services, and its online savings calculator allows you to estimate how much money you’ll save by going solar.

Palmetto Solar’s expert team can guide you through the design, installation, and maintenance process. The company’s representatives will also help you sign up for available tax incentives and rebates. Palmetto doesn’t provide pricing information online, but its website claims Maryland homeowners can install solar panels for as little as $85 per month and save an average of $24,565 over 25 years.

Palmetto Solar’s 25-year performance guarantee is one of the longest in the industry. The company provides several additional services, such as the Palmetto Protect plan, which ensures your system works at peak efficiency. This plan starts at $8 per month for system monitoring and prioritized customer support.

Solar installation companies typically offer four financing options: up-front purchase, solar loan, solar lease, or power purchase agreement (PPA). Up-front purchases require you to pay for your system in full, while solar loans allow you to space out the cost in monthly payments with interest. These are the only two payment options Palmetto offers, but both ensure you own your system and qualify for cost-saving tax incentives.

Other companies will install the system for free and allow you to lease the panels at a set monthly rate. You can also enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA), which allows you to pay only for the power you produce, similar to a monthly electricity bill. However, these options won’t grant you system ownership and disqualify you from tax incentives.

Learn more: Solar Energy World Review

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 create custom systems for each customer and assist with applying for solar incentives.

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

From 2014–2022, 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.

• Why We Picked It: 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’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.

• Why We Picked It: Trinity Solar has been in the industry for nearly 30 years and is the only family-owned business on our list.

Trinity Solar has installed more than 77,000 solar systems in nine states, making it the most experienced company on our list. It’s been servicing Maryland since 2015, where it’s helping the state to meet its renewable energy goals by 2040. The company’s solar panel systems may be purchased, financed, or leased. You can also add battery storage and backup.

Trinity’s 5-year workmanship warranty is short compared to industry standards, and the company doesn’t guarantee savings on your electric bill. We still recommend the company because it has a good reputation and strong track record.