Solar Calc

Solar Panel Cost in Baltimore, MD (2026 Estimate)

ByIndependent solar research and calculators

Data last updated

Baltimore averages about 4.5 peak sun hours a day (about average for the US, a little sunnier than the Maryland average of 4.4), and pairs with Maryland's approximate residential rate near 17ยข/kWh. In the model used here, an 8 kW system produces roughly 10,510 kWh a year and trims about $1,800 off annual electricity costs, paying back its net cost in about 10.5 years (versus 10.7 years for Maryland as a whole). Local shading, roof, and your utility's export terms move the real figure.

Estimated system cost and payback in Baltimore

Costs assume roughly $3.35/watt installed; the net column applies a 30% federal credit for comparison with quotes that include it. Savings use Baltimore's sun hours and Maryland's rate.

Modeled solar cost, production, savings and payback in Baltimore by system size
System size Gross cost Net after 30% credit Yearly production Yearly savings Payback
6 kW $20,100 $14,100 7,880 kWh $1,300 10.5 yrs
8 kW $26,800 $18,800 10,510 kWh $1,800 10.5 yrs
10 kW $33,500 $23,500 13,140 kWh $2,200 10.5 yrs

The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems paid for after December 31, 2025 under the 2025 federal budget law. Net-after-credit figures apply only if you still qualify (for example a 2025 expenditure, or a leased system where the installer passes a credit through). Confirm with a tax professional.

Net metering and utilities around Baltimore

Maryland still offers full retail net metering to homeowners at all of its regulated utilities, with exports credited kilowatt-hour for kilowatt-hour and carried forward from month to month. Each April, any accumulated surplus is paid out at the utility's commodity energy rate, roughly the supply portion of your bill rather than the full retail price, so a system sized to about a year's usage captures the most value. The statewide program cap was raised to 3,000 megawatts, well above current enrollment, so capacity is not a near-term concern.

Baltimore Gas and Electric serves Baltimore and central Maryland, Pepco covers Montgomery and Prince George's counties, Delmarva Power serves the Eastern Shore, Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy) covers western Maryland, and the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative serves the counties south of Washington, with Choptank Electric Cooperative and a few municipal utilities covering the rest. Maryland is a retail choice state, so supply comes either from the utility's standard offer service or a third-party supplier while the utility handles delivery. Standard residential tariffs are flat-rate with a modest fixed charge and no demand charges, and BGE and Pepco offer optional time-of-use plans; because net metering credits the full retail rate, savings track directly with the combined supply and delivery price, which has risen substantially in recent years.

For the full state picture, including incentives, property and sales tax treatment and the complete net metering notes, see the Maryland solar cost page.

Sources and methodology

Every figure on this page is computed from two published inputs (average peak sun hours and the state's average residential electricity rate) plus the documented assumptions on the methodology page. It is a transparent model, not a survey of installer quotes. Inputs last reviewed .