15 Best Solar Companies in Bel Air, MD (2023 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Bel Air based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Bel Air, MD
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Bel Air homeowner saves $1,242/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Bel Air

Hoping to go solar but trying to figure out which company would be the best one for you? Although it can be hard to settle on a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many fantastic benefits. Due to Bel Air's great amount of sunshine on average, there are lots of solar companies to choose from.

In this article, we'll give you a list of the top Bel Air solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home's clean energy needs. We advise shopping around for quite a few quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your home. To receive free quotes from vetted solar installers in Bel Air, click the link below.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Bel Air

Best National Provider
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Average Cost

Read full review

SunPower

  • Pros icon Most efficient panels on the market
  • Pros icon National coverage
  • Pros icon Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Pros icon Great warranty coverage
  • Con icon Expensive
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://us.sunpower.com/
Best for Leasing
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Sunrun

  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Pros icon Many financing options
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.sunrun.com/
Best Social Impact
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Palmetto Solar

  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Pros icon Makes charitable contributions
  • Pros icon Certified B Corp
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs
  • Con icon Quality of installation may vary by location

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
  • Service icon Maintenance & Repairs

Website: https://palmetto.com/
Solar Veteran
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Trinity Solar

  • Pros icon Many financing options
  • Pros icon Family-owned and -operated
  • Pros icon Makes charitable contributions
  • Con icon Limited service area
  • Con icon Relatively short workmanship warranty

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.trinity-solar.com/
Best Technology
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.2/5

Average Cost

Read full review

Tesla Energy

  • Pros icon Price-match guarantee
  • Pros icon Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Pros icon Best solar battery on the market
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://www.tesla.com/energy
Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

American Sentry Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Professional reinstallation
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: https://americansentrysolar.com/
Address: 221 Gateway Dr, Bel Air, MD 21014
Phone: 4105570555
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Rising Sun Solar Solutions LLC

  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon End-to-end services
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Business installations

Website: https://risingsunsolarsolutions.com/
Address: 9606 Belair Rd, Nottingham, MD 21236
Phone: 4435539730
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

GridKicker

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions

Website: http://gridkicker.com/
Address: 1047 Cromwell Bridge Rd, Towson, MD 21286
Phone: 4434707069
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Bright Eye Solar

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Recognized Excellence
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: https://brighteyesolar.com/
Address: 107 Mt Carmel Rd Suite 203, Parkton, MD 21120
Phone: 4102377225
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Power Factor

  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://powerfactorco.com/
Address: 8240 Beachwood Rd, Baltimore, MD 21222
Phone: 4435590174
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Sunnyside Solar Energy LLC

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations

Website: http://sunnysidesolarenergy.com/
Address: 1127 Rayville Rd, Parkton, MD 21120
Phone: 4103575353
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Prince Solar

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: https://www.princesolarrepairs.com/
Address: 730 E 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21218
Phone: 4432487372
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

EcoGen America

  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: https://ecogenamerica.com/residential/md/
Address: 1014 W 36th St #200, Baltimore, MD 21211
Phone: 4105057325
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

CPower Energy Management

  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Recognized Excellence
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: http://www.cpowerenergymanagement.com/
Address: 1001 Fleet St #400, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 8442769371
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

GreenBrilliance

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon End-to-end services
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions

Website: https://www.greenbrilliance.com/
Address: 300 E Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 2403011007

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Bel Air

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Bel Air 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 Bel Air


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 Bel Air

Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you first need to pay to set up your system. The installation cost is just one important factor you should take into account when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:

  • Your income and budget: This affects what model of solar panels you can buy.
  • Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar energy system this year can save 30% of their installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $15,000 on your utility bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
  • Electricity consumption: The average household in Bel Air uses a decent amount of, and as a result may save on their energy bills.
  • Your household's power bills: Due to high monthly electric bills in Bel Air, you could save about $870 a year with solar.

Although a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, including the size of your solar panel system and your current power bills.

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Solar Incentives in Bel Air

There are many reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them includes some government incentives you can take advantage of. Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 30% of your project costs when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some local incentives you can benefit from too. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Bel Air.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Bel Air

A lot of people want to do what they can to help save the planet, which for many is the primary reason for installing a solar system. A question many people might be wondering about is how much can they really help the environment by switching to solar power anyway? Your energy usage is a key factor to consider. The more electricity your home uses, the greater your impact when you make the switch to solar power. Although solar panel manufacturing 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 traditional energy. In Bel Air, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 60 pounds a year with solar panels. The great things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with committing to solar.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Bel Air, MD Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar panel installer is the best in Bel Air?

In Bel Air, GreenBrilliance is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.

What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?

Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.

How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?

The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 12.5 years, but the exact period varies by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.

How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?

Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can generate under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household needs between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.

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.