12 Best Solar Companies in Baltimore, MD (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Baltimore based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Baltimore, MD
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Baltimore homeowner saves $1,212/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Baltimore
Looking to go solar but not sure which solar panel installer would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be hard to find a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many great benefits. While solar is a great investment, you'll be able to make that expense back and then some, all while helping to protect the planet. In fact, you could end up with savings of about $14,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we'll introduce you to the top Baltimore solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home's renewable energy needs. To help you understand if solar panels are something you should get for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Baltimore by clicking the button below.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Baltimore
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Ipsun Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
SmartRoof - Roofing and Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
Trinity Solar
- Many financing options
- Family-owned and -operated
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited service area
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
GreenBrilliance
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
CPower Energy Management
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Constellation - America's Energy Choice
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Castlebridge Energy Group LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Prince Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Baltimore
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Baltimore based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Baltimore
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Maryland solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Baltimore
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you must first pay to set up your panels. There are quite a few factors you should consider when trying to determine the overall cost and how much you can save, including:
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: Thanks to Baltimore's high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your energy bills.
- The make and model of solar panels you want: More efficient panels are more expensive, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you reduce your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. Additionally, you can save about $14,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- Your current power bills: Solar panels can dramatically reduce, or completely eradicate, your utility bills. In Baltimore, you can save an average of $70 a month.
Even though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, like the kind of solar panels you get and your local electricity rates.
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Solar Incentives in Baltimore
Although installing solar panels is typically a large investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over time because of smaller utility bills and government incentives. Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 30% of how much your solar project cost on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. In addition, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in Baltimore.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Baltimore
There are a few main reasons why many people want to invest in solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Baltimore, though. In a city like Baltimore where commute times can be very long, going solar can help help reduce the carbon footprint of being on the road a lot. Although solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by considerably decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Baltimore, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 60 pounds a year with solar panels. The perks of solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with using solar energy.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Baltimore, MD Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installation company in Baltimore?
In Baltimore, GreenBrilliance is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your house.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, in some cases, completely erase your electricity bills, improve your home's value and lower your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not see as many savings if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels need a considerable upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
Most of the time, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the sun's energy into usable electricity.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.