2024 Solar Incentives Guide for Summerfield, MD - Tax Credits & Rebates

In this guide, we'll cover the latest solar incentives and rebates available in Summerfield.

You'll learn about:

  • Local & State Solar Incentives
  • Federal Tax Credits (Updated for 2024 and beyond)
  • Ways to optimize your solar investment

Solar installers are experts in maximizing your solar tax credits and rebates.
Get a free quote from one of our trusted Summerfield solar installers to see how much you can save.

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 03, 2024

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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.

What Solar Tax Credits, Incentives, and Rebates are Available in Summerfield?

Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
PV: $1,000/project (flat per installation/household incentive)
SWH: $500/project (flat per installation/household incentive)
New GHC: $3,000/project
GHC Replacement: $500/project

PEPCO - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Lighting Get instant, in-store discounts on select ENERGY STAR certified lighting.
LED Bulbs: Up to $3 per bulb
LED Fixtures: $8 per fixture
Appliances
Clothes Dryer: $50
Clothes Washer: $75 - $100
Hybrid Water Heater: $500
Pool Pump: $150 - $400
Refrigerator: $100
Smart Thermostat: $100
Dehumidifier: $30
HVAC
Air-Source Heat Pump: $400 (Tier 1) - $650 (Tier 2)
Central A/C: $300 (Tier 1) - $500 (Tier 2)
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
ECM Furnace Motor: $50 - $100
Home Energy Check up: Free
Recycling
Refrigerator or Freezer: $50
Room A/C or Dehumidifier: $25

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Residential Solar and Wind Electricity Sales

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
100% exemption from sales and use tax

Wood Heating Fuel Exemption

Incentive Type:
Sales Tax Incentive
100% exemption

Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Appliances & Recycling
Clothes Dryer (Electric): $50
Clothes Washer: $75 - $100
Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
Pool Pump: $150 - $400
Refrigerator: $100
Dehumidifier: $30
Refrigerator or Freezer Recycling: $50, plus $25 bonus when recycling an old, working room A/C or dehumidifier at the same time
Room A/C or Dehumidifier Recycling (*May 20, 2017 only*): $25
Smart Thermostat: $100

Heating & Cooling
Air-Source Heat Pump: $400 - $650
Central A/C: $300 - $500
Gas Furnace: $250
Furnace Blower Motor: $50 - $100
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500

Lighting
Instant discounts vary by participating retailer; see program website

Clean-Burning Wood Stove Grant Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Stick Burning Stove: $500
Pellet Burning Stove: $700

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs)

Incentive Type:
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Varies based on market conditions

Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (Gas) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Appliances & Recycling
Clothes Dryer (Electric): $50
Clothes Washer: $75 - $100
Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
Pool Pump: $150 - $400
Refrigerator: $100
Dehumidifier: $30
Refrigerator or Freezer Recycling: $50, plus $25 bonus when recycling an old, working room A/C or dehumidifier at the same time
Room A/C or Dehumidifier Recycling (*May 20, 2017 only*): $25
Smart Thermostat: $100

Heating & Cooling
Air-Source Heat Pump: $400 - $650
Central A/C: $300 - $500
Gas Furnace: $250
Furnace Blower Motor: $50 - $100
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500

Lighting
Instant discounts vary by participating retailer; see program website

Residential/Community Wind Grant Program

Incentive Type:
Rebate Program
Residential: $4,000/kW of normalized capacity at 11 m/s
Community: $1000/kW - $4000/kW, depending on the system capacity

Local Option - Property Tax Credit for High Performance Buildings

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Varies

Property Tax Exemption for Solar and Wind Energy Systems

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
100% real property tax exemption for solar and wind energy property

Local Option - Property Tax Credit for Renewables and Energy Conservation Devices

Incentive Type:
Property Tax Incentive
Varies by jurisdiction; credit may be available for up to 3 years.

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Incentive Type:
Personal Tax Credit
30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Source: https://www.dsireusa.org/


The phrase "solar incentives" includes a range of financial incentives designed to make installing and using solar panels more affordable. This is done to encourage people to switch to renewable energy. You might qualify for different kinds of incentives, including discounts, cash back or monthly utility bill credits, depending on your situation. Some incentives come from your specific utility company, county or municipality, some from the state of Maryland and others from the federal government. Some solar incentives you might qualify for are:

  • Net Metering: Net metering factors in once your solar panels are up and running. If you've signed a net metering agreement with your Summerfield utility company, it will subtract the value of the excess energy produced by your solar system from your utility bill each month. In some places, this is a dollar-for-dollar credit, while in other areas you may get refunded a percentage of the value.
  • Tax Credits: Tax credits lower, dollar-for-dollar, the amount of income tax you owe the federal government. Tax credits are different from tax deductions.
  • Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC): SRECs are credits that can be sold to your utility company (or other buyers) for cash that typically becomes part of your taxable income. Generally, you must meet a certain (small) threshold of energy production before your solar system can earn SRECs or similar performance-based incentives. SRECs and similar incentives are generally handled by your state government.
  • Rebates: A solar rebate is a partial refund given after you've purchased your solar system. These might be offered by your local utility company, your state or your county. The rebates are usually applied before calculating tax credits.
  • Tax Exemptions: Tax exemptions can come in one of two forms. First, there is sales tax exemption, applied at the time you purchase your solar panels. The second is property tax exemption, which allows you to exclude the added value of your solar system when paying property tax on your house.

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

Federal Solar Incentives

Federal solar incentives are likely to be the first thing that you think of when you think about solar incentives. The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, or ITC, is the most well-known federal solar incentive. The ITC offers a tax credit for a specific percentage of the cost of your solar system.

The ITC can be applied to solar systems installed after January 1, 2006, and allows you to deduct from your taxes a percentage of the total cost of solar panels, accessories, labor and equipment. You can claim this credit for solar panels installed on a primary or secondary residence that you own in the United States. Originally, you could claim 30% of the total cost, although certain projects may qualify for only 26%, depending on the details. There is no maximum amount you can claim.

Have questions about how the ITC applies to your specific situation? Contact your local Summerfield solar panel installer to get more information.

The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in August 2022, made some changes to the ITC (as well as renaming it to the Clean Energy Credit). The Clean Energy Credit is valid until 2035. Your solar installation project undertaken between 2022 and 2032 may qualify for a 30% tax credit. The amount will decrease slightly on a yearly basis until the current program ends. Starting in 2023, the expansion to the program will also make claiming credit for energy storage systems easier than ever before.

Click here to learn more about the new Inflation Reduction Act. Your local Summerfield solar panel company can answer any questions you have and explain how the new Clean Energy Credit applies to you.

State & Local Solar Incentives

Some solar incentives may be provided at the state and local level. As with federal incentives, these can include tax credits, rebates and more. These incentives may be distributed by the Maryland government, or by your county or municipality. Certain incentives are ongoing, while others are available for a limited time.

Next Steps for Installing Solar in Summerfield

You can apply for solar incentives from the federal government and the Maryland government, as well as from your local utility company. The increased availability of solar initiatives over the last 15 years has helped greatly increase nationwide adoption of solar energy. Reach out to your local solar panel installer today to discover more about the various programs and to save as much money as possible on solar panels for your Summerfield home.

EcoWatch's Summerfield, MD Solar Incentives FAQs

If I switch my appliances out for ones that utilize solar energy, are there credits I can claim?

The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act provides several incentives that reward homeowners who make eco-friendly upgrades. Some of these incentives include rebates and tax credits for installing new electric appliances. You can find more details about these incentives here.

Can I receive incentives both towards the initial cost of solar panels, and later as reimbursement?

Yes, you can claim both rebates and tax credits towards the cost of solar panels. Depending on precisely which incentives you are applying for, they may apply in a different order. Be sure to talk to your solar installer or a local tax professional to ensure that you are claiming the correct incentives and that you're getting the most money possible.

Can I use multiple types of renewable energy to power my home?

Yes, you can utilize multiple types of renewable energy to power your home — for example, a combination of solar and geothermal. You can also combine renewable energy generation with a backup source of non-renewable energy. You should discuss your plan with your local Summerfield solar installation expert, to get an understanding of what will be needed and what incentives you will or won't qualify for.

What if I am planning to add a solar system to a rental property, vacation home or commercial property? Will I still qualify for incentives?

While we recommend talking to your local solar installer and/or tax professional to fully understand what solar incentives apply to you, many apply to a second home, provided that it is in the United States and owned by you. There may be additional incentives available specifically for commercial properties, depending on the details.

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.

Solar incentive 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.

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