Maryland has one of the most mature community solar programs in the United States. The state launched its Community Solar Energy Generating System (CSEGS) pilot in 2015 and has since expanded it into a full-scale program serving customers across all major utilities. If you're a Maryland resident paying an electric bill, there's a very good chance you can start saving today — no panels, no installation, no switching utilities.
Is Community Solar Available in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland's community solar program is open to residential and commercial customers across the state. The program is administered by the Maryland Public Service Commission and allows subscribers to receive credits on their utility bills from shared solar farms located throughout the state.
Maryland is one of the few states that has mandated a guaranteed minimum discount rate for community solar subscribers, which means you're protected from signing up for a program that delivers less than promised.
🌞 Maryland law requires community solar providers to offer subscribers a minimum discount on their electricity — protecting you before you ever sign up.
Which Maryland Utilities Participate?
Community solar is available to customers of all four major Maryland utilities:
BGE (Baltimore Gas & Electric)
Serving Baltimore City and surrounding counties. BGE has one of the largest community solar footprints in the state. Subscribers in the BGE territory have access to multiple farms and some of the most competitive discount rates in Maryland.
Pepco (Potomac Electric Power Company)
Serving Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. Pepco customers in the DC suburbs have access to community solar programs with strong guaranteed discount rates.
SMECO (Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative)
Serving Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, and St. Mary's Counties. SMECO customers can subscribe to community solar farms in their territory and receive credits on their co-op bills.
Delmarva Power
Serving the Eastern Shore. Delmarva Power customers on Maryland's Eastern Shore have access to community solar programs in their territory.
How Much Can Maryland Residents Save?
Most Maryland community solar subscribers save between 10% and 25% on their utility bills. The exact amount depends on your specific utility territory and the farm you're matched to. Maryland's mandatory minimum discount rate ensures you'll always save something — the question is how much above that floor your particular program offers.
On a typical Maryland electric bill of $140/month, a 15% discount saves approximately $21/month or $252 per year. Higher-usage households — common during Maryland's hot, humid summers — save proportionally more.
Who Qualifies in Maryland?
Any Maryland resident or small business with an active electric account in their name can subscribe to community solar. You do not need to:
- Own your home
- Have a suitable roof for solar panels
- Pay anything upfront
- Change your electric utility or switch providers
Renters, condo owners, apartment dwellers, and homeowners with shaded or north-facing roofs are all eligible. If you pay a Maryland electric bill, you almost certainly qualify.
How Do Credits Show Up on My Maryland Bill?
When you subscribe to a Maryland community solar farm, the farm generates electricity and your utility tracks your share of that generation. Each billing cycle, your utility applies a credit to your account — typically as a line item labeled "Community Solar Credit" or similar. You pay the net amount: your normal bill minus the credit.
Credits typically begin appearing 1–3 billing cycles after enrollment, depending on your utility's processing timeline.
Are There Any Contracts or Fees?
Most Maryland community solar programs run on annual or multi-year agreements, but the best programs include:
- No upfront costs or enrollment fees
- Clear cancellation terms (typically 60–90 days notice)
- No penalties for moving out of the service territory
We vet every program we recommend specifically for these terms. Maryland has seen some programs with aggressive contract structures — we don't recommend those.
How to Sign Up for Community Solar in Maryland
The enrollment process typically takes 3–5 minutes:
- Tell us your Maryland utility provider (BGE, Pepco, SMECO, or Delmarva)
- We match you to the highest-discount available farm in your territory
- You review the terms and enroll — no credit card required
- Credits begin appearing on your bill within 1–3 cycles