Four ways to start saving on electricity in Maryland — with $0 down. Whether you own or rent, there's a no-money-down solar option for you.
The Reality in 2026
The idea that solar requires a large upfront payment is one of the biggest misconceptions holding Maryland homeowners back. In reality, most people who go solar today pay $0 upfront — and start saving on electricity from day one.
There are four paths to no-upfront-cost solar in Maryland: a $0-down solar loan (you own the system), a solar lease (fixed monthly rate), a Power Purchase Agreement (pay per kWh), or community solar — which requires no installation at all and is available to renters.
Each option has different savings profiles, ownership implications, and eligibility requirements. This guide explains all four clearly — so you can choose the one that fits your home, budget, and goals.
Quick Comparison
Your Four Paths to $0 Down Solar
Every option starts at $0 — what differs is who owns the system, who gets the incentives, and how much you save long-term.
Side-by-Side
All four options start with no upfront cost. Here's how they differ across the factors that matter most.
| Factor | $0-Down Loan ★ | Solar Lease | PPA | Community Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Own the System | ✔ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Keep Maryland SRECs | ✔ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No | N/A |
| MD $1,000 State Grant | ✔ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Increases Home Value | ✔ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Maintenance Responsibility | Homeowner (minimal) | Solar company | Solar company | None |
| Available to Renters | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✔ Yes |
| No Installation Needed | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✔ Yes |
| Long-Term Savings | ★★★★★ Highest | ★★★☆☆ Moderate | ★★★☆☆ Moderate | ★★☆☆☆ Lowest |
| Credit Check Required | Yes — good credit | Usually yes | Usually yes | Generally no |
| Typical Contract Length | Loan term (5–25 yrs) | 20–25 years | 20–25 years | 20 yrs (cancelable) |
★ Best for most Maryland homeowners who qualify. Always compare at least 3 quotes.
For Renters & Unsuitable Roofs
Maryland's permanent community solar program makes clean energy accessible to everyone — including renters, condo owners, and homes with shaded or small roofs.
Instead of installing panels on your roof, you subscribe to a share of a local Maryland solar farm. Your utility applies credits to your bill for your share of the electricity produced — typically saving you 5–15% off your electricity costs. Maryland's program became permanent in 2025 and now includes consolidated billing as of January 2026, meaning all credits and charges appear on a single utility bill.
Available in these utility territories:
Community solar providers operating in Maryland include Neighborhood Sun and CleanChoice Energy. Visit the Maryland Energy Administration's community solar project list to find projects accepting new subscribers in your area.
Any Maryland resident with a utility account through BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, or Potomac Edison can subscribe — whether you own or rent your home. You don't need to own a suitable roof. Low-income subscribers (below 80% of area median income) are eligible for enhanced discounts of 20% or more, prioritized under Maryland's equity requirements.
Which Option Is Right for You?
Your best option depends on whether you own your home, your credit profile, and how much you want to maximize long-term savings.
You own the home, have decent credit, and want to maximize savings. A solar loan gives you ownership, Maryland SRECs, the $1,000 state grant, and long-term bill elimination — all with $0 down and monthly payments lower than your current bill.
You own your home but want solar with zero hassle — no maintenance, no tax paperwork, no ownership responsibility. A lease or PPA gives you lower electricity bills from day one with the solar company handling everything. You'll save less long-term but gain convenience.
You rent, live in a condo or apartment, or your roof isn't suited for panels. Community solar is your path — subscribe to a local Maryland solar farm with no installation, save 5–15% on bills, and cancel with 6 months' notice. Low-income households may save 20% or more.
Getting Started
The process is straightforward — most Maryland homeowners complete it in under 2 weeks from first quote to signed contract.
Contact multiple licensed Maryland installers for free, no-obligation assessments. Prices for the same system vary 15–25% between companies. Our free quote form connects you with pre-vetted local installers.
Decide between a solar loan (own the system), lease, PPA, or community solar based on your situation. Ask each installer to present all options with the long-term savings figures for each.
For loans, leases, and PPAs: your installer submits a credit application to the financing partner. Most approvals take 1–3 business days. For community solar: sign up directly through the provider's website — no credit check needed.
For rooftop options: installation takes 1–3 days, then 8–14 weeks for permitting, inspection, and utility interconnection. For community solar: you start receiving credits on your next bill after enrollment.
Once activated, your system starts generating electricity and your bills drop immediately. For loan customers: your installer will guide you through applying for Maryland's $1,000 clean energy grant and SREC registration.
Maryland Incentives That Still Apply in 2026
The 30% federal residential ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 for homeowner purchases. All Maryland state and county incentives above remain fully active in 2026.
Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Bethesda homeowners in Equity Emphasis Areas can access a 30-year solar loan with 0% interest for the first 10 years through the Montgomery County Green Bank — making a $0-down solar loan even more financially attractive in these cities.
Common Questions
Clear answers to the questions Maryland homeowners and renters ask most about no-upfront-cost solar.
Yes. There are four ways to go solar in Maryland with no upfront cost: a $0-down solar loan (you own the system), a solar lease (fixed monthly payment), a Power Purchase Agreement or PPA (pay per kWh produced), or community solar (no installation at all — just a subscription available to renters). Each has different long-term savings profiles and ownership implications. Most Maryland homeowners who go solar today use one of these $0-down options.
A $0-down solar loan typically saves the most over 25 years because you own the system and keep all financial benefits — Maryland SRECs (worth $200–$400/year), the $1,000 state clean energy grant, property value increase, and all net metering credits. With a lease or PPA, the solar company keeps all incentives. Community solar saves the least (5–15% off bills) but requires no installation and is available to renters. Always get at least 3 quotes with long-term savings projections for each option.
Important 2026 update: The 30% federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Homeowners purchasing solar with cash or a loan in 2026 no longer receive the federal ITC. However, all of Maryland's own incentives remain fully available: the $1,000 Residential Clean Energy Grant, Maryland SRECs, the property and sales tax exemptions, and county-level credits. Lease and PPA providers may still claim a commercial federal credit, which can be passed on as lower monthly rates.
Yes — through Maryland's Community Solar program. Renters with a BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, or Potomac Edison utility account can subscribe to a share of a local solar farm with no installation on their property. Subscribers typically receive 5–15% off their electricity costs. Low-income subscribers (below 80% of area median income) qualify for discounts of 20% or more. Providers including Neighborhood Sun and CleanChoice Energy accept new subscribers in Maryland. Visit the Maryland Energy Administration's website for a current list of projects accepting subscribers.
A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) allows a solar company to install panels on your Maryland home at no upfront cost. You don't own the panels — instead, you pay for the electricity they produce at a fixed per-kWh rate below your utility's price. You pay only for what the panels generate — so cloudy months cost less. The solar company owns, insures, and maintains the system throughout the 20–25 year contract. Because the company owns the system, they claim all state and federal incentives rather than you.
Applying for a solar loan does involve a credit check, which may cause a small temporary dip in your credit score. Once approved, your monthly loan payments are reported to credit bureaus — consistent on-time payments can actually improve your score over time. Most lenders look for a credit score of 650–700 or higher for the best rates. If your credit score is lower, a lease, PPA, or community solar may be a more accessible starting point.
With a solar lease or PPA, you have two options when selling: transfer the contract to the new buyer (who must agree to take it on), or buy out the remaining contract value. Transferring is usually straightforward if the new buyer is interested in solar — and many buyers see it as a benefit. Buying out can be costly depending on years remaining. This is one reason why solar loan ownership is often preferred: a system you own outright adds value to your home and transfers cleanly with the property.