Maryland now has a permanent community solar program. If you get power from BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, or Potomac Edison, you may be able to join. This guide explains how it works, who can sign up, billing choices, and low- and moderate-income (LMI) rules.

How community solar works

Community solar lets you support local solar energy without installing anything at home. No panels, no roof work, no equipment. Your utility still delivers electricity on the same wires you use today.

Each month, your share of a solar project can earn bill credits. Those credits cover part of your utility bill. You also pay for your subscription, but you pay less than the credits are worth. Any discount applies to the credits, not your whole bill. Actual savings depend on your state, your utility, and the project.

Credit amounts can vary from month to month. That is normal for solar projects. Some months you may see more credits. Some months you may see fewer.

Program status in Maryland

Maryland made community solar permanent through a 2023 law (HB 908). The earlier pilot ended on December 31, 2024. Today the program continues under permanent rules.

You can see program highlights on our Maryland community solar page.

Who can subscribe, and where it applies

Customers of BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, and Potomac Edison can subscribe to community solar. Your electric account and the project must be in the same utility territory.

To join, you need an electric account in your own name with one of these utilities. Renters can join. Many renters like that nothing is installed at home. If you want us to confirm your options, you can check your eligibility online.

Notes for BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, and Potomac Edison customers

  • Match your utility. If you are a BGE customer, you need a BGE‑territory project. The same holds for Pepco, Delmarva Power, and Potomac Edison.
  • You keep your utility. You still receive electricity on the same lines, and you still have a utility bill.
  • Your subscription supports local solar energy. It does not change how power flows to your home.

Billing: one bill or two?

Projects choose how to bill. Some offer one-bill (consolidated) billing through your utility. Others bill the subscription separately.

Either way, your solar credits reduce part of your utility charges. If the project uses one bill, your subscription charge and credits appear together. If it uses separate billing, you receive your utility bill as usual, and you receive a separate subscription bill from the project.

Remember how savings work. Subscribers pay less for the subscription than the solar credits are worth. The credits cover only part of the utility bill. Any discount applies to the credits, not the whole bill. Savings depend on the state, the utility, and the project.

Options for low- and moderate-income households

Maryland’s permanent program includes strong access rules for LMI households:

  • Projects built under the permanent program must deliver at least 40% of their output to LMI subscribers, unless the project is owned entirely by its subscribers.
  • LMI can mean a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level or 80% of Maryland median income. It can also mean taking part in certain assistance programs, or living in a census tract that is both overburdened and underserved.
  • LMI subscribers can’t be charged more than 90% of their bill credit value.

If you think you may be LMI, it is worth checking. We can help you review options that fit these rules. The Maryland Energy Administration also publishes community solar information for consumers.

Getting started in Maryland

Here is a simple way to begin:

  1. Confirm your utility and service address. Make sure your electric account is in your name.
  2. Review Maryland program basics on our Maryland community solar page.
  3. See if you qualify as LMI. If you do, you may have additional project options and pricing rules.
  4. Decide which billing setup you prefer. Some projects use one bill through the utility. Others send a separate subscription bill.
  5. Check your eligibility online. We will look at your utility, address, and available projects in your territory.

Community solar in Maryland is designed to be simple. You keep your utility, and your subscription supports local solar energy. With clear rules and billing choices, you can choose a project that fits your home needs.