BGE Solar Overview
Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) is an Exelon company serving central Maryland, including the Baltimore metropolitan area, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard counties. Maryland has strong solar policies, and BGE territory is one of the better places on the East Coast for rooftop solar.
Customers: ~1.3 million electric
Net metering: Full retail rate
SREC program: Maryland SRECs (significant value)
Electricity rates: $0.13-$0.16/kWh (moderate)
Solar production: ~1,250-1,350 kWh/kW annually
Solar rating: Great
Payback: 8-11 years (with SRECs) (Source: EnergySage market analysis)
The bottom line: BGE customers benefit from full retail net metering plus Maryland SREC income and EmPOWER rebates. This combination makes central Maryland one of the better regions for solar economics on the East Coast, with payback periods as short as 8-11 years.
BGE Net Metering
Maryland has strong net metering rules that apply to BGE customers:
| Feature | BGE Policy |
|---|---|
| Export credit | Full retail rate (~$0.13-$0.16/kWh) |
| Credit rollover | Monthly, with annual true-up |
| System size limit | Up to 2 MW (very generous) |
| Sizing rule | Up to 200% of annual usage allowed |
| Meter type | Bi-directional (no cost to customer) |
| True-up period | April each year |
Annual True-Up
At the end of the plan year (April), any remaining credit balance is paid out at a lower "generation only" rate (~$0.04-$0.06/kWh). Size your system to use credits within the year rather than building large surpluses, unless you plan to add electric loads (EV, heat pump).
Maryland SREC Program
Maryland's SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Credit) market provides significant additional income for solar owners:
How Maryland SRECs Work
- What it is: You earn 1 SREC for every 1,000 kWh your system produces
- Market value: $50-$80 per SREC (fluctuates with market)
- Selling: Through SREC brokers or aggregators
- Duration: Earn SRECs for the life of your system
- Registration: System must be registered with PJM-GATS
Maryland SREC Income Estimates
| System Size | Annual Production | SRECs/Year | Est. Annual Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | ~6,500 kWh | 6-7 | $350-$500 |
| 8 kW | ~10,400 kWh | 10-11 | $550-$800 |
| 10 kW | ~13,000 kWh | 12-13 | $700-$1,000 |
SREC Market Tips
- SREC prices fluctuate with supply and demand
- Consider locking in multi-year contracts for price stability
- Your installer can often help set up SREC sales
- SRECs are separate from net metering—you get both
EmPOWER Maryland Rebates
EmPOWER Maryland is the state's energy efficiency program, and BGE participates with various incentives:
Available Incentives
- Energy efficiency rebates: For home improvements that reduce consumption
- Home energy audits: Discounted or free assessments
- HVAC rebates: For heat pumps and efficient equipment
- Weatherization: Insulation and air sealing incentives
Note: Direct solar panel rebates through EmPOWER have varied over time. Check the current EmPOWER Maryland website for the latest solar-specific offerings. The program focuses primarily on energy efficiency, but complementary measures like insulation can improve your overall solar economics.
Maryland Tax Exemptions
| Exemption | Benefit | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Property tax exemption | 100% exempt | Solar doesn't increase property taxes |
| Sales tax exemption | 6% savings | No sales tax on solar equipment |
BGE Solar Economics
BGE customers have solid solar economics due to the combination of good policies and moderate rates:
Solar Production in Maryland
Central Maryland receives approximately 4.3 peak sun hours daily on average. This translates to:
- Annual production: 1,250-1,350 kWh per kW of solar installed
- 8 kW system: Produces approximately 10,000-10,800 kWh/year
- Rating: Decent production (not as high as Southwest, but solid)
Scenario: $150/month Bill, 8kW System
| Factor | Without SRECs | With Maryland SRECs |
|---|---|---|
| System cost (8kW) | $24,000 | $24,000 |
| Sales tax savings (6%) | -$1,440 | -$1,440 |
| Net cost | $22,560 | $22,560 |
| Annual electricity savings | $1,500-$1,700 | $1,500-$1,700 |
| Annual SREC income | $0 | $550-$800 |
| Total annual benefit | $1,500-$1,700 | $2,050-$2,500 |
| Payback period | 13-15 years | 9-11 years |
The SREC difference: Without Maryland SRECs, solar payback is 13-15 years. With SRECs, payback drops to 9-11 years. This is why Maryland is considered one of the better solar markets on the East Coast despite not having Southwest-level sunshine.
Federal Tax Credit (2026)
| Purchase Type | Federal Credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash/Loan purchase | 0% (25D expired) | No credit for homeowner purchases |
| PPA/Lease | 30% (48E) | Company claims credit, passes savings |
BGE Interconnection Process
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Day 1 | Installer submits via BGE portal |
| Initial review | 10-15 business days | System design approval |
| Installation | 1-3 days | Physical installation |
| Local inspection | 3-7 days | County/municipal inspection |
| Meter exchange | 5-15 days | Bi-directional meter installed |
| PTO | 1-5 days | Permission to operate granted |
Total timeline: 4-8 weeks from contract signing to solar production. BGE follows Maryland's standard interconnection process, which is reasonably efficient.
Interconnection Requirements
- UL-listed inverters with anti-islanding protection
- IEEE 1547 and UL 1741 compliance
- Visible, lockable AC disconnect switch
- Proper system labeling per NEC requirements
- Licensed electrician installation
Frequently Asked Questions
How good is BGE for solar?
BGE is one of the better utilities for solar on the East Coast. Full retail net metering plus Maryland SREC income plus tax exemptions create 8-11 year paybacks. Maryland has been consistently supportive of solar policy, making it a stable market.
What are Maryland SRECs worth?
Maryland SREC prices fluctuate but typically range from $50-$80 per SREC. You earn 1 SREC per 1,000 kWh produced. An 8 kW system earns roughly 10-11 SRECs per year, worth $500-$800 annually. Over 15-20 years, this adds up to significant additional income.
Can I still get the federal tax credit?
The 30% residential tax credit (25D) ended December 31, 2025 for purchased systems. However, PPA and lease customers still benefit through 2027, as the solar company claims the credit and passes savings through lower rates.
Do I need a battery with BGE?
Not for financial reasons—full retail net metering means exports have good value. A battery is useful for backup power during outages (Maryland does experience storms) but doesn't significantly improve the economics. Consider it for peace of mind rather than ROI.
How does Maryland compare to other states?
Maryland ranks as one of the better solar states on the East Coast. While it doesn't have Southwest sunshine levels, the combination of full retail net metering, SRECs, and tax exemptions creates economics competitive with sunnier states that have weaker policies.
Questions About BGE Solar?
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