With solar energy, it's a good morning, Baltimore

The state of solar in Baltimore

Roughly 84% of the rooftops in Baltimore are solar viable,^*Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018). and the city sees around 213 sunny days per year on average.^*Best Places. Climate in Baltimore, Maryland. March 2021. A point that's sure to help the city reach its goal of reducing citywide greenhouse gas emissions to 30% below their 2007 levels by 2023 and powering 20% of the city with clean energy by 2022.^*American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEE). City Scorecard Baltimore, MD. October 2020.

How much solar energy does Baltimore produce?

Baltimore ranks as one of America's top solar cities, ranking 30th in the nation for total installed solar capacity at 15.31 MW as of December 2019 between 8,400 installations.^*Chesapeake Conservancy’s Conservation Innovation Center for the Valleys Planning Council. Solar Siting Methodology for State and Local Governments Pilot: Baltimore County and City. September 2020. The city also ranks 38th in the nation for per capita solar capacity at 25.42 watts per person.

The Maryland Energy Administration has invested heavily in solar energy in the area in recent years with Residential Clean Energy Grants, Commercial Renewable Energy Grants, and Clean Energy Production Tax Credits. They have contributed to 162 projects in the city alone and 880 in Baltimore County.

What are the advantages of going solar in Baltimore?

While electricity rates in Baltimore typically hoover within 7.5% of the national average, you still stand to see significant savings with a solar PV system.

As of January 2021, grid-supplied electricity in Baltimore sat at 12.3 cents per kWh. On the other hand, according to a webinar from the University of Maryland College of Agricultural and Natural Resources, solar PV systems have a levelized cost of 4.65 cents per kWh after grants and tax incentives, equating to between $17,500 and $52,500 in savings over 25 years depending on system size and type. At this cost, the average solar PV system in Baltimore may pay for itself within 5-7 years.

Clearly, going solar has rewarding long-term financial benefits, but it also positively impacts our environment. Our dependency on fossil fuels is no longer viable. They contaminate our air supply and contribute to climate change. Switching to clean energy is the best way to reduce your carbon footprint.

How much does solar cost in Baltimore?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same city, due to a range of factors. These include:

• Available unshaded roof space

• Household's energy needs

• Local weather and HOA

• Quality of the solar system

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we've analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country. ^*Energy Sage, How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Maryland in 2021?, April, 2021 In Baltimore, we found that the average cost of owning a 5 kW solar system is $14,200 or in other words, $2.84 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

Many incentives and tax breaks are available to help Maryland residents reduce the initial costs of going solar. There's the 26% federal tax credit^*Tax credits subject to change. SunPower does not warrant, guarantee, or otherwise advise its partners or customers about specific tax outcomes. Consult your tax advisor regarding the solar tax credit and how it applies to your specific circumstances. Please visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information. as well as the Maryland Residential Clean Energy Grant Program, which offers a $1,000 rebate for solar PV systems with a minimum capacity of 1 kW.^*Local incentives and rebates vary and are subject to change. SunPower does not warrant, guarantee or otherwise advise its customers about their ability to qualify for local incentives. Your SunPower Dealer can help you determine incentives available in your area. You can also visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

In Baltimore, you can also take advantage of the Property Tax Credit for Solar and Geothermal Devices, which offers a credit of 50% of eligible system installation costs up to $5,000.^*Local incentives and rebates vary and are subject to change. SunPower does not warrant, guarantee or otherwise advise its customers about their ability to qualify for local incentives. Your SunPower Dealer can help you determine incentives available in your area. You can also visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

Beyond tax credits and grants, you can offset any energy usage from the grid through a process known as net metering. With net metering, your electricity bill is based on the net amount of energy you use during a billing period. If you send more energy to the grid than you use, you're given a credit to use in times of low solar energy production.^*The availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Your SunPower Dealer can help you determine if you qualify. You can also visit the dsireusa.org website for detailed solar policy information.

You can also earn a Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) for every MWh of power your system produces. The value of an SREC varies, but for the last several months, it has hovered around $80.^*FOOTNOTE

What is the best way to go solar in Baltimore?

The best way to determine the ideal solar system for your property is to contact a professional, experienced solar energy company. Not every solar system offers the same benefits, durability, or energy efficiency, and the overall quality of your system depends heavily on the solar provider you choose.

A reputable solar company can help you choose the perfect solar + storage system for your home through in-person or online consultations and custom solar designs. During the consultation, and before signing a contract, you should receive a custom system design, monthly electric bill savings estimate, price quote, and an overview of available local incentives and tax credits that you may qualify for.

Request a free consultation with one of our solar experts today to start the process of switching your Baltimore property to clean, solar energy. We'll contact you to schedule a good time for the consultation. You're also welcome to call us directly at 1-385-489-5552.