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Maryland Solar Panel Calculator

Local rates, sun hours & savings — specific to Maryland

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4.35

Peak Sun Hrs/Day

$0.158

Avg Rate ($/kWh)

$148

Avg Monthly Bill

14 yrs

Est. Payback

Maryland offers one of the more favorable solar policy environments on the East Coast, with a robust SREC market, strong net metering from BGE, Pepco, and Delmarva Power, and the Maryland Clean Energy Grant for qualifying installations. At 4.35 peak sun hours per day and $0.16/kWh average rates, the base economics are solid — and SREC income can shorten payback by 1–3 years beyond what this calculator estimates.

4.35 hrs

Sun Hours/Day

$0.158

Rate ($/kWh)

$2.80

Avg Cost/Watt

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Solar Data for Maryland

Peak Sun Hours
4.35 hrs/day (NREL annual avg)
Avg Electricity Rate
$0.1576/kWh (EIA 2024)
Avg Monthly Bill
$148/month
Avg Install Cost
$2.80/W (LBNL Tracking the Sun)
Est. Payback (avg bill)
14 years (before 30% ITC)
Federal ITC
30% through 2032

Solar Panels in Maryland — Frequently Asked Questions

How many solar panels does the average home need?▾
Most US homes need between 15 and 30 panels (6–12 kW system). The exact number depends on your electricity usage, your state's sun hours, roof orientation, and the wattage of the panels you choose. Enter your bill or usage above to get a personalized estimate.
Is a small solar system (under 5 kW) worth installing?▾
A 3–5 kW system can still deliver meaningful savings — typically $500–$1,200/year — with a proportionally lower upfront cost. Small systems make sense for low-consumption households, condos with limited roof space, or as a starter system. Some states offer tiered incentives that favor smaller systems. The economics per kW are usually slightly less favorable than larger systems due to fixed permitting costs.
What is a good payback period for solar panels?▾
The typical solar payback period in the US ranges from 6 to 12 years. States with high electricity rates (California, Massachusetts, Hawaii) tend to have shorter payback periods. The 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) can shave 2–3 years off the estimates shown here.
What are my options for financing solar panels?▾
The main options are: (1) Cash purchase — best ROI, you get the full ITC. (2) Solar loan — low-rate loans from installers, Sungage, GreenSky, or your credit union allow ownership with no upfront cost. You still get the ITC. (3) HELOC — if you have home equity. (4) Solar lease/PPA — no ownership, no ITC, lower savings but zero upfront. (5) PACE financing — property-assessed loans available in some states.
Does roof orientation affect how much power solar panels produce?▾
Yes, significantly. South-facing roofs receive the most direct sunlight and are ideal (factor: 1.00). East and west-facing roofs produce about 15% less. North-facing roofs produce roughly 30% less. Flat roofs can be angled for optimal output.

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Solar Savings on a $100/Month Bill

How much solar saves on a $100 monthly electricity bill in Maryland

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Solar Savings on a $150/Month Bill

How much solar saves on a $150 monthly electricity bill in Maryland

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Solar for 1,200 Sq Ft Homes

How many panels does a 1,200 sq ft home need?

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Solar for 1,000 Sq Ft Homes

How many panels does a 1,000 sq ft home need?

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5 kW Solar System

Full cost and savings breakdown for a 5 kW installation

Disclaimer: Data sources: NREL PVWatts (sun hours), EIA 2024 Residential Rate Survey (electricity rates), Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Tracking the Sun (install costs). Estimates are for planning only. Actual savings depend on your specific roof, shading, utility policies, and available incentives. Not financial or tax advice.