Community Solar Guide · Updated April 2026
Community Solar Maryland — No Installation Required
Community solar lets any Maryland resident save on electricity — renters, condo owners, and homeowners with shaded rooftops included — with no panels, no installation, and no equipment. You subscribe to a share of a local solar farm and receive credits on your utility bill. Maryland's permanent program now uses consolidated billing as of January 2026, making it simpler than ever.
How Community Solar Works in Maryland
Community solar removes every barrier that stops people from going solar — no roof ownership, no installation, no upfront cost, and no long-term equipment commitment. Here's the simple four-step process:
Find a Project
Choose a community solar farm in your utility's service territory from providers like Neighborhood Sun or CleanChoice Energy.
Subscribe
Sign up online or by phone. No installation visits, no equipment, no upfront payment required.
Farm Generates Power
The solar farm sends electricity to the grid. Your utility tracks how much your share produced.
Credits on Your Bill
Your utility applies solar credits directly to your monthly bill — at a discounted rate. You pay less.
The simplest way to go solar in Maryland. No contractor visits, no permits, no roof assessment, no financing application. Sign up in minutes, start receiving credits on your next billing cycle, and cancel with about 6 months' notice if your situation changes.
Who Can Sign Up for Community Solar in Maryland
Any Maryland resident with an electric meter account through one of the four participating utilities is eligible. This is the broadest solar access program in the state.
Renters
No roof ownership required. If you have a BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, or Potomac Edison account, you can subscribe regardless of whether you own or rent.
Condo & Apartment Owners
Can't modify your building's roof? Community solar is your path to solar savings with no approval from landlords or HOAs required.
Homeowners with Shaded Roofs
Heavy tree coverage, north-facing roofs, or dormer-covered surfaces that make rooftop solar uneconomical. Community solar works regardless of your roof's solar potential.
Small & Historic Homes
Too little roof space for a full system, or a historic designation that restricts panel installation? Community solar bypasses all of those limitations.
Low & Moderate Income Households
Maryland requires that at least 40% of community solar subscribers be low-to-moderate income (LMI) households. LMI subscribers receive enhanced discounts of 10–20%+.
Any Homeowner
Even if you could install rooftop solar, community solar can serve as a complement — or a simpler starting point while you evaluate your full options.
One requirement: You must subscribe to a project in your utility's service territory. A BGE customer in Baltimore cannot subscribe to a Pepco project in Montgomery County, for example. Your provider will confirm eligibility when you sign up.
How Much Can You Save with Community Solar in Maryland
Maryland's community solar discount structure is straightforward: you pay about 90 cents for every dollar of solar credit — a guaranteed 10% discount on the electricity supply portion of your bill. For low-income subscribers, the discount is higher.
How the 10% Discount Works — Real Example
* Discount applies to electricity supply charges, not delivery charges. Actual savings depend on your usage and how much your subscribed share produces each month.
For a typical Maryland home paying $150/month, a 10% community solar discount saves approximately $150–$200 per year. Over a 20-year subscription that's $3,000–$4,000 in cumulative savings — with zero upfront investment and no equipment risk.
Enhanced Savings for Low & Moderate Income Subscribers
Maryland law requires that at least 40% of community solar project subscribers be low-to-moderate income (LMI) households. LMI subscribers receive guaranteed enhanced discounts — their subscription rates cannot exceed 90% of the bill credit value, ensuring at least a 10% discount. Many projects offer 15–20% or more for qualifying LMI participants.
2026 Update: Consolidated Billing Is Now Live
One of the biggest improvements to Maryland's community solar program happened in January 2026. Under HB908, Maryland utilities are now required to implement consolidated billing — making participation significantly simpler for subscribers.
What Changed with Consolidated Billing
Before January 2026
- ✗ Two separate bills every month
- ✗ Manage payment to solar provider separately
- ✗ Keep a payment method on file with provider
- ✗ Confusing reconciliation of two statements
- ✗ Risk of missed payments to one bill
From January 2026
- ✔ One single utility bill with credits included
- ✔ Credits applied automatically each month
- ✔ No separate payment method needed
- ✔ Small 1% admin fee on credit value
- ✔ Simpler than ever to participate
The 1% admin fee: Under consolidated billing, utilities charge a small administrative fee of 1% of the total bill credit value per month. On a $20 monthly credit, that's $0.20. This is a minor cost that doesn't materially reduce the savings from community solar — the 10% discount still applies on top of this fee.
Which Utilities Offer Community Solar in Maryland
Maryland's program covers four major utilities — together serving the vast majority of the state's residential electric customers.
- Maryland's largest utility — most community solar projects
- Consolidated billing active January 2026
- Three farms (Trillium, Rivers, Metalmark) currently accepting BGE subscribers
- 10% discount standard; LMI projects available
- Higher base rates (~$0.18–$0.20/kWh) make savings more valuable per credit
- Projects in Pepco territory accepting new subscribers
- Consolidated billing active January 2026
- Strong LMI program availability in PG's County
- Community solar available on Maryland's Eastern Shore
- Neighborhood Sun actively accepting Delmarva subscribers
- Consolidated billing active January 2026
- Fewer projects than BGE/Pepco — check current availability
- Lower base rates (~$0.14/kWh) mean smaller absolute dollar savings
- Community solar projects available in Western Maryland
- Consolidated billing active January 2026
- Contact providers directly for project availability in this territory
SMECO not included: The Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) does not currently participate in Maryland's community solar program. Residents in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties served by SMECO are not yet eligible. Check with SMECO for any future program developments.
Community Solar Providers in Maryland
Several providers manage community solar project subscriptions across Maryland. Here are the main options available to residential subscribers in 2026:
Maryland's hometown community solar provider — a Certified B-Corp and Public Benefit Corporation founded in Maryland and committed to equitable clean energy access. Neighborhood Sun has delivered over $15 million in savings nationwide, including $4 million to Maryland residents. They operate projects in BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, and Potomac Edison territories, and offer dedicated LMI project access. Highly recommended by Solar United Neighbors and partnered with Johns Hopkins University. Currently accepting new subscribers across all four Maryland utility territories.
A national community solar provider with strong Maryland operations, particularly in the BGE service territory. CleanChoice Energy is one of the longest-running community solar providers in Maryland and offers residential subscriptions with a straightforward signup process. BGE customers can save up to 10% off their utility supply rate. Available in BGE and Pepco territories. Partners with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network for outreach across the state.
Ampion operates community solar farms in Maryland and offers a clear, straightforward 10% discount structure on the electricity supply portion of your bill. Their consolidated billing explanation is particularly clear for new subscribers — credits appear directly on your utility bill at a discounted rate. Verify current project availability in your utility territory before signing up.
How to find current project availability: The Maryland Energy Administration maintains a spreadsheet of all active community solar projects at energy.maryland.gov. Filter by your utility name (column B) and check column K for projects accepting new subscribers. Column J lists the provider contact information and column M shows LMI discount details.
Community Solar vs Rooftop Solar — Which Is Right for You?
Both are legitimate ways to benefit from solar in Maryland. The right choice depends on whether you own your home, your roof's suitability, and how much you want to maximize long-term savings.
| Factor | Community Solar | Rooftop Solar (Owned) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $0 — no upfront payment | $0 with a solar loan |
| Roof required | No — no installation at all | Yes — suitable roof needed |
| Available to renters | Yes | No — must own property |
| Maryland SRECs | No — goes to project developer | Yes — you keep all SREC income |
| MSAP grant eligibility | No | Yes — up to $7,500 |
| Increases home value | No | Yes |
| Long-term savings | ~$150–$200/yr (10%) | $2,000–$3,000+/yr |
| Flexibility / cancel | Cancel with ~6 months notice | 25-year loan or ownership commitment |
| Maintenance responsibility | None — provider handles all | You (minimal for owned systems) |
| Setup time | Days — sign up online | 8–14 weeks from quote to activation |
The key takeaway: community solar and rooftop solar aren't competing options for most people. If you own your home and have a suitable roof, rooftop solar delivers substantially higher long-term savings. If you rent, have a shaded roof, or just want the simplest possible entry point into clean energy, community solar is your best option — and it's genuinely worth doing.
How to Sign Up for Community Solar in Maryland
Find Your Utility
Check your electricity bill to confirm your utility provider — BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, or Potomac Edison. You must subscribe to a project within your utility's service territory. If you have SMECO, community solar is not currently available in your territory.
Check if You Qualify for LMI Discounts
If your household income is at or below 80% of the area median income, you may qualify for an enhanced discount of 10–20%+. Check with Neighborhood Sun or your provider about LMI eligibility before signing up — LMI spots fill faster and deliver more savings.
Find Projects Accepting Subscribers
Visit the Maryland Energy Administration's community solar project spreadsheet at energy.maryland.gov, or go directly to Neighborhood Sun (neighborhoodsun.solar) or CleanChoice Energy to see current availability in your territory. Look for projects listed as "accepting new subscribers."
Review the Subscription Agreement
Before signing, check: the discount percentage, the contract term (typically 20 years), cancellation terms and notice period, what happens if you move, and whether any escalator clauses apply to your subscription rate. With consolidated billing, confirm credits will appear on your utility bill.
Sign Up — Usually Takes Under 10 Minutes
Most providers offer an online signup form. You'll typically need your utility account number and contact information. No credit check, no contractor visit, no financing application. Once enrolled, your utility will process the subscription and credits typically begin appearing on your bill within one to two billing cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is community solar and how does it work in Maryland? ▾
Community solar lets Maryland residents subscribe to a share of a local solar farm without installing any panels on their property. The farm generates electricity that flows into the grid, and your utility (BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, or Potomac Edison) applies credits to your monthly bill for your share. Under Maryland's consolidated billing system, launched January 2026, credits appear directly on your standard utility bill — no second bill to manage.
Who can sign up for community solar in Maryland? ▾
Any Maryland resident with an electric meter account through BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, or Potomac Edison is eligible — including renters, condo owners, apartment dwellers, homeowners with shaded roofs, and anyone who can't or doesn't want to install solar panels. You must subscribe to a project within your utility's service territory. SMECO customers are not currently eligible.
How much can I save with community solar in Maryland? ▾
Standard community solar subscribers in Maryland save approximately 10% on the electricity supply portion of their bill — you pay about 90 cents for every dollar of solar credit. For a typical $150/month bill, that's roughly $150–$200 in annual savings. Low-to-moderate income (LMI) subscribers qualify for enhanced discounts of 10–20% or more. Pepco customers in Montgomery County save more per credit due to higher base electricity rates.
What is Maryland's consolidated billing for community solar? ▾
Maryland's consolidated billing, required under HB908 and implemented January 2026, means community solar credits now appear directly on your standard utility bill. Before this change, subscribers managed two separate bills — one from their utility and one from their solar provider. Consolidated billing removes that complexity. Utilities charge a small 1% administrative fee on the credit value, which is a minor cost that doesn't materially reduce savings.
Can I cancel my community solar subscription in Maryland? ▾
Most Maryland community solar subscriptions allow cancellation with approximately 6 months' notice, though terms vary by provider and project. Always review the specific cancellation terms in your subscription agreement before signing. Unlike rooftop solar lease contracts which typically run 20–25 years with buyout provisions, community solar offers significantly more flexibility — which is a meaningful advantage for renters and those uncertain about their long-term plans.
What happens to my community solar subscription if I move? ▾
If you move within the same utility territory (e.g. from one BGE-served address to another), your community solar subscription typically moves with you automatically. If you move to an area served by a different utility, your subscription will end and you can subscribe to a new project in your new territory. This portability within a utility territory is a key advantage over rooftop installations, which are permanently tied to the property.
See rooftop solar options, costs, and incentives for your city