Solar

Home solar systems can provide power for heating, hot water, and electricity – and enable you to reduce energy costs, lower household carbon emissions, and earn credits for excess power generated from peak producing times that is sent back into the local power grid.

Solar Thermal

Nearly every homeowner can benefit from solar power - and incentives make it more accessible than ever.
Provides hot water for your everyday needs, such as dish washing, laundry and bathing or can be used to heat pools or spas.
Provides radiant floor and wall heating to help offset your heating needs from traditional fuels.

Solar Electrical

Contribute energy to the electrical grid: Through the use of one or more inverters the direct current (DC) from the modules is converted to alternating current (AC). This use can be applied to loads, or if the output power is of utility quality, then it can be merged with grid power and added to the energy from the electrical grid. Grid interconnection is the most popular use of solar electricity in Maryland and is made possible by the interconnection and net metering laws that the state has enacted.
Powering single-use load backup emergency generators and battery use
Water pumping to deliver higher water pressure or lift water to transport it to crops or for home use.
Ventilation: Solar electrical energy can be used as DC current to turn motors to power fans and provide ventilation
Illumination: solar electricity can be stored to power indoor/outdoor lighting throughout the day and night.

Benefits

Viable in most areas. Solar is available in almost all locations -- except in places completely shaded by trees or another structure.
Energy cost savings. Solar water heating can offset 75% of the annual water heating energy required. For an averge family of four using electric water heating, this could be $600 a year in savings.
Maintenance and Durability. Solar water heating systems require very little maintenance. Most recommend changing the heat transfer fluid every 3-5 years but systems typically last 25 years or more.
Good investment. Not only reduces energy costs, but also increases the value of property.

Considerations

Upfront costs: Solar systems can be costly to install, but a number of incentives are available to help defray and finance projects.
Slow rate of return: Like any other major home improvement, a solar energy system should be thought of as a long-term investment.
Ongoing maintenance

Power in Numbers

A growing number of Maryland homeowners associations and communities are joining together to learn more about how to provide their own energy and are creating solar “hot spots” in Maryland through cooperatives to purchase a group of systems, rather than purchasing them individually, to reduce costs.

See: Common Sense Solar

Getting Started

Invest in an Energy Efficiency Audit

This audit is a series of simple tests that will determine how energy efficient your building or home is. These tests should be conducted by a certified energy auditor and typically are conducted in a single day. The results of the audit will be able to tell where you are inefficiently using energy and what updates and improvements you can make.

Solar Site Analysis and Consultation

Is solar right for your home? Work with a solar contractor or general professional who understands solar paths and shading to evaluate the viability of solar for you. This analysis evaluates:

Your roof's sun exposure - east, west or south
The direction, area and inclination of your roof
Your current energy consumption

Solar energy systems need 4-8 hours of sunlight per day depending on the season and daylength. Solar contractors measure the sun’s position relative to the installation site to determine viability.

Permitting

Solar installations are regulated through state and county building inspectors offices like any home improvement. All systems require a building permit, and solar electric systems that are grid-connected or for back-up emergency power require electrical permits. Systems for solar water heating or space heating require plumbing or mechanical permits.

Both permits are applied for by master electricians or master plumbers. They can apply for the building permit to mount the collectors and prepare the system for final connections performed by the master tradesman and his crew. Many solar contractors have master tradesmen on staff and regularly apply for these permits directly.

Incentives and Financial Opportunities

The solar industry has received several financial incentives to be more attractive to those building owners and willing to invest in producing their own energy.

The Federal government is offering the Investment Tax Credit—a 30% credit against income taxes due to the IRS.
Maryland provides funding up $10,000 for residential solar systems up to 20 kilowatts.
Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) provides Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC). An SREC is created when a solar system generates 1,000 kilowatt hours, or 1 megawatt hour of power. You receive an account where your system’s credits are deposited and can be sold, traded, or given to another firm to sell on your behalf.

Finding a Solar Contractor

Maryland is fortunate to have many qualified solar companies throughout the state to provide you with the solar services you need. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for a solar contractor:

Are they licensed as a Maryland Home Improvement Contractor, electrician, HVAC, or plumbing contractor?
Does the contractor offer energy audit services or will you need another contractor?
What kind of site analysis and consultation services does the contractor offer prior to installation?
Does the contractor do both solar thermal and solar electrical systems?
How many installations have they done over the lifetime of the company and in the last year?
What kind of certifications does their staff hold? Is someone on the staff certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)?
How will they help you with incentive and grant funding applications?
Does the contractor only install the system or do they also provide maintenance?
Are they a national organization or local to the state?

Use the MCEC resource directory to identify companies who specialize in residential solar installations.