A Maryland home that goes solar in 2026 gets paid in two stacked ways at once. Net metering credits every kilowatt-hour you export to the grid at the full retail rate, one-for-one, and the state’s SREC market pays you a separate cash certificate for every 1,000 kilowatt-hours your panels generate. On top of that, a new Certified SREC bonus pays qualifying systems 1.5 times the going SREC rate through the end of 2027. Those Maryland programs matter more than ever now, because the 30 percent federal homeowner solar tax credit ended on December 31, 2025. This page explains exactly what each program pays, how the credits work across BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, and Potomac Edison, and how to actually get the money.
Updated for 2026 with Maryland’s current net-metering rules, the Brighter Tomorrow Act Certified SREC bonus, the live SREC price range, and the incentives that are actually still open.
What Maryland solar pays you in 2026, up top
- Net metering credits your exports at the full retail rate, one kWh for one kWh, across every major Maryland utility (Maryland Office of People’s Counsel; DSIRE Net Metering, as of 2026).
- You can roll surplus credits over indefinitely at full retail value instead of taking the default April true-up, which cashes leftover credits at the lower wholesale rate (FirstEnergy / Potomac Edison; 2023 net-metering law (SB 143), as of 2026).
- Each SREC equals 1 megawatt-hour of generation and has recently traded in a roughly $50 to $80 range, a volatile market price, not a fixed payout (EnergySage Maryland, as of January 2026; check a live broker below).
- The Brighter Tomorrow Act pays Certified SRECs at 1.5x for eligible systems placed in service between July 1, 2024 and January 1, 2028 (Xpansiv Maryland SREC market; SB 783, as of 2026).
- Maryland power is expensive, which is what makes each offset kWh count, averaging about 18.24 cents per kWh and rising (EIA Electric Power Monthly, as of March 2025).
- The 30 percent federal homeowner credit is gone. Section 25D ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so Maryland’s own programs are what pay you now (IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit, as of January 1, 2026).
If you want the fast version: net metering makes your meter run backward at retail value, SRECs pay you a bonus on top for the clean energy you produce, and Maryland is one of the few states actively sweetening that SREC value right now. The rest of this page is the detail, the utility-by-utility rules, and an original earnings estimate for a typical Maryland home. For the full state incentive picture, start at our Maryland solar hub.
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How does net metering work in Maryland in 2026?
Maryland net metering credits the electricity your solar panels send to the grid at the full retail rate, one kilowatt-hour of credit for every kilowatt-hour you export (Maryland Office of People’s Counsel, as of 2026). When your panels make more than you use in a given month, the surplus becomes a kWh credit that rolls to the next bill. When you use more than you make, the credits are spent first, so you only pay for the net difference. It is the single most valuable solar program in the state because that credit is worth the full retail rate, not the lower wholesale rate a utility would otherwise pay for power.
Maryland’s rules are set by statute and administered by the Public Service Commission, so the core framework is the same whether you are served by BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, or Potomac Edison (DSIRE Net Metering, Maryland, as of 2026). Systems can be sized up to 200 percent of your baseline annual usage and up to 2 MW, which is far above any residential system, and net metering is available statewide up to an aggregate capacity cap the PSC tracks (Solar United Neighbors, Maryland, as of 2026). For the plain-English basics of how the meter math works anywhere, see our guide to understanding net metering.
Indefinite rollover vs the annual true-up: the decision that costs or saves you money
Here is the part most Maryland homeowners miss. By default, utilities run an annual true-up each spring, and any leftover net excess generation is cashed out at a low wholesale or commodity rate rather than the full retail rate you earned it at (FirstEnergy / Potomac Edison, Net Excess Generation Credit Options, as of 2026). Maryland’s 2023 net-metering law (SB 143, effective 2024) gives customers of the investor-owned utilities a better option: you can elect to roll your kilowatt-hour credits over indefinitely, keeping their full retail value and banking your summer surplus to spend on winter bills, instead of accepting the discounted annual cash-out (Maryland PSC net-metering customer alert, as of 2024).
The catch is that indefinite rollover is usually not automatic. Because utilities benefit when credits are retired at the lower payout rate, you typically have to opt in by contacting your utility. If you routinely produce more than you use, indefinite rollover is almost always the better choice. If you size your system close to your actual usage, the difference is smaller, because you rarely carry a large surplus to the true-up in the first place. This single election is why sizing and rollover strategy belong in your installer conversation, not just the panel count.
| Utility | Region served | Export credit basis | Rollover options | Leftover at true-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BGE | Baltimore + central MD | Full retail, 1 kWh : 1 kWh | Indefinite rollover or annual true-up (SB 143) | Cashed at the lower commodity rate |
| Pepco | Montgomery + Prince George’s | Full retail, 1 kWh : 1 kWh | Indefinite rollover or annual true-up (SB 143) | Cashed at the lower commodity rate |
| Delmarva Power | Eastern Shore | Full retail, 1 kWh : 1 kWh | Indefinite rollover or annual true-up (SB 143) | Cashed at the lower commodity rate |
| Potomac Edison | Western MD + Frederick | Full retail, 1 kWh : 1 kWh | Indefinite rollover or annual true-up (SB 143) | Cashed at the lower commodity rate |
Note: the credit rate and rollover rights above come from Maryland statute and are the same statewide. What varies by utility is the paperwork, the interconnection timeline, and how credits appear on your bill. Confirm your own utility’s current net-metering rider and true-up month before you size a system.
What is a Maryland SREC worth in 2026?
A Solar Renewable Energy Certificate, or SREC, is a tradable certificate Maryland creates for every 1 megawatt-hour (1,000 kWh) of solar electricity your system produces (Maryland Energy Administration, as of 2026). Maryland law requires electricity suppliers to buy a set share of solar power each year to meet the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, and if they fall short they pay a penalty called the Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP). That penalty is effectively a price ceiling on SRECs, and it steps down each year (about $55 per SREC in 2025 and $45 in 2026), so SREC prices are expected to soften over time (DSIRE Maryland Renewable Portfolio Standard; Maryland PSC 2025 RPS Report, as of 2026).
Because SREC prices are set by supply and demand under that ceiling, there is no fixed payout, and any single number goes stale fast. Recent Maryland SRECs have traded in a rough $50 to $80 range, with a representative print near $55 and some months landing lower (EnergySage Maryland, as of January 2026). For a live quote before you count on it, use a broker market such as SRECTrade or the Flett Exchange Maryland market. Your system earns SRECs for about 15 years, and SB 783 extended how long a certificate can be banked before it is used, from three years to five years (DSIRE Maryland RPS; MEA, as of 2026). To create and sell them, your system is registered with the Maryland PSC and with PJM’s Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS); most homeowners let their installer or an SREC broker handle the registration and automated sales.
How the Brighter Tomorrow Act’s 1.5x Certified SREC bonus works
This is the piece that makes 2026 a genuinely good window in Maryland. Under the Brighter Tomorrow Act (Senate Bill 783, signed May 2024), qualifying systems earn Certified SRECs worth 1.5 times the standard SREC value, a 50 percent boost on your solar income (Xpansiv Maryland SREC market, as of 2026). The multiplier applies to eligible systems placed in service between July 1, 2024 and January 1, 2028, sited on a rooftop, parking canopy, or other qualifying location, up to a statutory capacity cap of 5 MW (Maryland PSC, SB 783 Fact Sheet and FAQs, as of 2026). Because that cap is far above any home system, an ordinary residential rooftop install qualifies. One important caveat: the certified program is also gated by statewide registration caps (the first 300 MW of qualifying residential and small-commercial systems), so eligibility is available only while that block remains open, not automatically through 2028 (Maryland PSC, as of 2026).
In plain terms: if standard Maryland SRECs are trading around $60, a Certified SREC on the same generation is worth roughly $90. Certified status lasts 15 years from the date your system is certified (or January 1, 2025, whichever is later), after which it earns standard SRECs. Over that window the 1.5x multiplier can add up to several thousand dollars, and it is time-boxed, so systems energized after the start of 2028 do not get it. The multiplier is exactly why commissioning date and Certified SREC eligibility belong in your installer’s proposal, not as an afterthought.
| System size | Est. annual production | SRECs per year (1 per MWh) | Net-metering bill offset per year | Standard SREC income per year | Certified SREC income (1.5x) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | ~8,350 kWh | ~8 | ~$1,520 | ~$400 to $640 | ~$600 to $960 |
| 8 kW | ~11,100 kWh | ~11 | ~$2,030 | ~$550 to $880 | ~$825 to $1,320 |
| 10 kW | ~13,900 kWh | ~14 | ~$2,540 | ~$700 to $1,120 | ~$1,050 to $1,680 |
How we calculated this (inputs and assumptions): production uses NREL PVWatts v8 for central Maryland, about 1,392 kWh per kW of system per year (a 6 kW system models at ~8,351 kWh in Baltimore ZIP 21201; our data and methodology). The net-metering offset multiplies production by Maryland’s average residential retail rate of 18.24 cents per kWh (EIA, as of March 2025); because Maryland rates are rising, real offset value is likely higher. SREC income assumes the recent $50 to $80 trading band (EnergySage, as of January 2026); the Certified SREC column applies the 1.5x Brighter Tomorrow Act multiplier. SREC prices are volatile and fall under a declining SACP ceiling, so treat these as a range, not a guarantee. Your actual numbers depend on roof, shading, usage, and the live SREC market. Run your own address through the eligibility check.
What other Maryland solar incentives still apply in 2026?
Beyond net metering and SRECs, Maryland keeps a few real incentives on the books, and retires one that you will still see quoted on stale competitor pages.
- Maryland Solar Access Program (income-qualified grant): the Maryland Energy Administration grants $750 per kW of installed solar, up to $7,500 per home, for income-qualified households at or below roughly 150 percent of area median income (Maryland Energy Administration, as of 2026). Eligible systems can be owned (cash or loan) or provided under a qualifying lease or power purchase agreement. It is first-come, first-served with a fixed annual budget, so funds can run out before the program year ends. Check the MEA portal for the current round before you count on it.
- Sales and use tax exemption: qualifying residential solar equipment is exempt from Maryland’s 6 percent sales and use tax under Tax-General 11-230, with no scheduled expiration (DSIRE Maryland; Comptroller of Maryland, as of 2026).
- Property tax exemption: the added home value from a residential solar system is exempt from Maryland real property tax under Tax-Property 7-242, so going solar does not raise your property tax bill (DSIRE Maryland, as of 2026).
- Retired, do not count on it: the old $1,000 Maryland Residential Clean Energy Rebate has ended; its final applications were due November 30, 2024, and it is no longer accepting new applicants (Solar United Neighbors, Maryland, as of 2026). Any 2026 page still listing it as active is out of date.
For how these stack with the utility credits above, the Maryland solar hub keeps the full, current incentive list in one place.
The 30 percent federal solar tax credit ended in 2025: what that leaves for Maryland
No, Maryland homeowners cannot claim it. The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so a Maryland homeowner who buys and installs solar in 2026 cannot claim that 30 percent federal credit (IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit, as of January 1, 2026). This is the single biggest thing outdated solar pages get wrong right now.
The residential 25D credit ended after December 31, 2025, but one narrow federal exception remains, and it does not put money directly in a homeowner’s pocket: a separate commercial credit (Section 48E) can apply to third-party-owned systems, meaning a solar lease or power purchase agreement. In those structures the company that owns the equipment claims the credit, not you, though it may pass some of that value through as a lower monthly payment. MySolarFY does not provide tax advice; confirm your own situation with a tax professional. For the full picture of what changed federally, see our explainer on the federal solar tax credit. The practical takeaway for Maryland: your economics now rest on net metering, SRECs, the Certified SREC bonus, and the state programs above, which is exactly why they are worth getting right.
How to actually get paid: a quick Maryland checklist
- Size the system to your usage, not just your roof. Because net-metering credits are worth the most when you use them, a system near your annual consumption captures the most retail-rate value.
- Opt into indefinite rollover with your utility if you expect a surplus, so your extra summer credits carry at full retail instead of being cashed out low in the spring true-up.
- Register for SRECs with the Maryland PSC and PJM GATS, usually handled by your installer or an SREC broker, and confirm your system is flagged for Certified SREC (1.5x) eligibility if it is energized before January 1, 2028.
- Set up automated SREC sales through a broker such as SRECTrade or Flett Exchange so you are not tracking quarterly trades by hand.
- Check income-qualified programs like the Solar Access Program before you sign, in case a grant applies to your household.
A note on choosing an installer. MySolarFY does not rank or sell installers. When you compare companies, screen on verifiable criteria: a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license, NABCEP-certified installers, a written production estimate, clear workmanship and equipment warranties, and experience registering SRECs and net metering in your utility’s territory. Those are the checks that protect your payback, no matter whose name is on the truck. See how MySolarFY works for how our free matching service fits in.
Frequently asked questions about Maryland net metering and SRECs
Does Maryland have net metering in 2026? Yes. Maryland net metering credits the electricity your solar panels export to the grid at the full retail rate, one kilowatt-hour of credit for every kilowatt-hour sent back, across BGE, Pepco, Delmarva Power, and Potomac Edison. Systems can be sized up to 200 percent of your baseline annual usage and up to 2 MW, and net metering is available statewide up to an aggregate cap the Public Service Commission tracks. It is the most valuable solar program in the state because the credit is worth the full retail rate rather than the lower wholesale rate. (Sources: Maryland Office of People’s Counsel; DSIRE Net Metering, Maryland, as of 2026.)
What is a Maryland SREC worth right now? One Maryland SREC equals one megawatt-hour (1,000 kWh) of solar generation, and its price is set by a volatile market under a declining state penalty ceiling, so there is no fixed payout. Recent Maryland SRECs have traded in a rough $50 to $80 range, with some monthly prints lower. Because any single number goes stale quickly, check a live broker market such as SRECTrade or Flett Exchange before you rely on a figure. Your system earns SRECs for its first 15 years of operation. (Sources: EnergySage Maryland, as of January 2026; DSIRE Maryland SRECs, as of 2026.)
What is the SREC multiplier in Maryland? Under the Brighter Tomorrow Act (Senate Bill 783, signed May 2024), qualifying systems earn Certified SRECs worth 1.5 times the standard SREC value, a 50 percent boost. The multiplier applies to eligible systems placed in service between July 1, 2024 and January 1, 2028, sited on a rooftop, canopy, or other qualifying location, up to a 5 MW cap, so ordinary residential rooftop systems qualify while statewide registration caps remain open. If standard SRECs trade near $60, a Certified SREC is worth about $90 on the same generation. It is time-limited, so systems energized after the start of 2028 do not receive it, and certified status runs 15 years from certification. (Source: Xpansiv Maryland SREC market; Sol Systems, as of 2026.)
Is the 30 percent federal solar tax credit gone in Maryland for 2026? Yes. The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so a Maryland homeowner who installs solar in 2026 cannot claim that 30 percent federal credit. A separate commercial credit (Section 48E) can apply to third-party-owned lease or PPA systems, but the company that owns the equipment claims it, not the homeowner. Maryland’s net metering, SREC market, Certified SREC bonus, and state programs are what pay homeowners now. MySolarFY does not provide tax advice; confirm your situation with a tax professional. (Source: IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit, as of January 1, 2026.)
Should I choose indefinite rollover or the annual true-up in Maryland? If you expect to produce more than you use over the year, indefinite rollover is usually the better choice, because it keeps your surplus kilowatt-hour credits at full retail value instead of cashing them out at the lower commodity rate during the default spring true-up. Maryland’s 2023 net-metering law (SB 143) gives you the right to elect indefinite rollover, but it is generally not automatic, so you typically have to opt in with your utility. If your system is sized close to your actual usage, the difference is smaller because you rarely carry a large surplus into the true-up. (Source: FirstEnergy Net Excess Generation Credit Options; 2023 net-metering law (SB 143), as of 2026.)
Will Maryland pay for my solar panels? No, Maryland will not simply give you solar panels, and any ad that suggests otherwise is misleading. What Maryland actually offers is stacked value: net-metering credits at the full retail rate, SREC income for the power you generate, a 1.5x Certified SREC bonus through 2027, and sales and property tax exemptions. Income-qualified households may also get a Maryland Solar Access Program grant of $750 per kW up to $7,500, subject to limited funding. Homeowners who do not want to pay up front sometimes use lease or PPA financing where available. Enter your ZIP on our eligibility check to see what applies to your address. (Sources: Maryland Energy Administration; DSIRE Maryland, as of 2026.)
Is solar worth it in Maryland without the federal tax credit? It still can be, because Maryland’s own programs are unusually strong and its electricity is expensive, about 18.24 cents per kWh and rising. Full-retail net metering, SREC income, the 1.5x Certified SREC bonus for systems energized before 2028, and the sales and property tax exemptions together replace much of what the federal credit, which ended after December 31, 2025, used to provide. Payback depends on your roof, usage, system size, and the live SREC market, so the honest answer is that it depends on your specific numbers. The fastest way to find out is to run your address. (Sources: EIA, as of March 2025; DSIRE Maryland, as of 2026.)
See which Maryland solar programs are available at your address →
Written and reviewed by the SolarFY Editor, our in-house solar research desk, in July 2026. Figures were verified against the linked Maryland Public Service Commission (including the SB 783 Fact Sheet and the 2025 Net Metering and RPS reports), Maryland Office of People’s Counsel, Maryland Energy Administration, DSIRE, Comptroller of Maryland, IRS, EIA, and NREL PVWatts sources, and cross-checked with our fact-checker as of July 2026. SREC prices, the SACP ceiling, net-metering true-up terms, and program funding are set by the market, the utilities, and the state and are reviewed regularly, so confirm current figures with the linked primary sources and your utility before you decide. MySolarFY does not provide tax or financial advice; consult a licensed professional about your own situation. Learn more about how MySolarFY works.
Disclaimer: MySolarFY is a free matching service, not a solar installer, financing company, tax advisor, or government program, and does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Incentive, rate, SREC, and net-metering figures change frequently; each is cited with its source and an “as of” date, and SREC prices in particular are a volatile market, so confirm current values with the linked primary sources and a tax professional before you decide. “No up-front cost” refers to qualifying lease or power purchase agreement financing where available and subject to eligibility; lease and PPA terms typically run 20 to 25 years, may include an annual price escalator, and on a lease or PPA the tax benefits and incentives generally go to the company that owns the system, not the homeowner. Solar panels are not free and monthly payments apply. Homeowners do not get the federal residential credit (Section 25D) that ended after December 31, 2025. Related reading: how New Jersey solar pays for a neighboring-state comparison, and how Massachusetts handles net metering and SMART, plus our Bowie and Columbia Maryland city guides.
