If your electric bill feels heavier every year, you’re not imagining it. Maryland’s average residential rate was about 22.2 cents per kWh in March 2026, up roughly 3.3 cents from a year earlier, and DC homeowners on Pepco pay around 24 cents per kWh. Every one of those kilowatt-hours is something your roof could be producing instead.
Solar has also changed a lot this year. The federal 30% homeowner tax credit ended on December 31, 2025, and Maryland’s current net metering program closes to new customers on July 1, 2027. That makes 2026 a year where good information matters more than ever.
This guide explains how solar works, what it really saves in DC and Maryland, which incentives are still on the table, and how to tell whether your home is a good fit. No jargon, no hard sell.
How home solar works, in plain English
A home solar system turns daylight into electricity your house uses right away, and sends whatever is left over to the grid for credit. Here is the path a sunbeam takes:
- Panels capture sunlight. Photovoltaic cells in each panel convert light into direct current (DC) electricity. They work on cloudy days too, just at lower output.
- An inverter converts it. Your home runs on alternating current (AC), so an inverter changes the panels’ output into usable power.
- Your home uses it first. Lights, the fridge, the AC unit and the EV charger draw solar power before pulling anything from the utility.
- Extra power goes to the grid. On sunny afternoons you often produce more than you use. Under net metering, your utility credits you for those exports, and you draw on the credits at night or in winter.
- A battery can store it instead (optional). A home battery holds surplus solar for evening use or keeps essentials running during an outage.
You stay connected to the grid the whole time, so there is never a moment when the lights depend on the weather.
What solar actually does for you
The biggest benefit is simple: you buy less electricity from the utility for the next 25 years or more. Around that core sit several other advantages.
- Lower monthly bills. Every kWh your panels make is one you don’t buy at retail. In DC, Pepco credits exported solar at the full retail rate, about 23.9 cents per kWh.
- Income from SRECs. For every 1,000 kWh your system produces, you earn a Solar Renewable Energy Credit you can sell. DC has the most valuable SREC market in the country: 2026 credits have traded at roughly $330 to $380 each, and DC’s regulator reported an average of about $407 for recent compliance. Maryland SRECs are worth far less, around $40, though small systems may qualify for a 1.5x bonus credit.
- Protection from rising rates. Once your system is paid for, the sunlight is free. Future utility increases matter much less to you.
- Higher home value, without higher taxes. In DC the value solar adds to your home isn’t taxed, and Maryland exempts it in many counties. Both waive the 6% sales tax on qualifying equipment.
- Backup power. Paired with a battery, solar can keep your fridge, Wi-Fi and medical devices running when the grid goes down.
- A cleaner neighborhood. Each rooftop system displaces fossil-fuel power for decades and helps DC and Maryland reach their clean-energy goals.
The incentive picture after the federal credit
The 30% federal tax credit for homeowners who buy solar ended on December 31, 2025, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Strong local programs remain, and in DC they carry much of the value on their own.
| Incentive | Where | What it’s worth | Status in late 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SREC sales | DC | Roughly $330 to $400 per 1,000 kWh produced | Active |
| SREC sales | Maryland | About $40 each; about $60 for qualifying small systems | Active, values falling |
| Full retail net metering | Maryland | Exports credited at the retail rate | Closes to new customers July 1, 2027, or sooner if a 3,000 MW cap is hit |
| Net metering | DC (Pepco) | About 23.9 cents/kWh credited | Active |
| Sales tax exemption | DC and Maryland | Saves 6% on equipment | Active |
| Property tax exemption | DC; many MD counties | Added home value not taxed | Active |
| Solar for All | DC | Free rooftop solar for income-qualified homes | Waitlist |
| Maryland Solar Access Program | Maryland | Rebate for income-eligible households | Applications open until May 31, 2027, while funds last |
| Battery grant (RCES) | Maryland | 30% of battery cost, up to $5,000 | Check MEA; funds have run out before |
| Federal credit via lease or PPA | Both | 30% claimed by the system owner, passed on in pricing | Tied to 2026–2027 construction deadlines |
The Maryland deadline is the big one. Homeowners on net metering by July 1, 2027 keep today’s rules for the life of their system. The replacement program is expected to pay less, and utility approvals can take weeks to months, so starting in the next few months is the safe move.
Want federal savings anyway? Leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs) can still capture them. The installer or a financing partner claims the credit and passes savings on to you. Ask which option fits your situation.
Is your home a good fit?
Most homes in DC and the surrounding Maryland counties can go solar, including rowhouses and homes with tricky roofs. These are the things an installer looks at:
- Sun exposure. South-, east- and west-facing roof sections all work. Heavy shade from tall trees or neighboring buildings lowers output, and a site assessment measures it precisely.
- Roof condition. Panels last 25 years or more, so a roof near the end of its life should be repaired or replaced first.
- Your electricity use. Higher bills mean more savings to capture. Planning an EV or a heat pump? Size the system for that future load now.
- Ownership. Owners who buy the system keep the SREC income and net metering credits.
Flat roof or no good roof at all? City homes have options beyond a standard rooftop array:
- Solar roof decks add usable outdoor space with panels overhead.
- Solar pergolas shade a patio or backyard while generating power.
- Ground mounts suit homes with yard space but a shaded or awkward roof.
Common myths, and the facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| “Solar doesn’t work here; it’s too cloudy.” | Panels produce on overcast days, and net metering banks summer surplus for darker months. Germany, far cloudier than DC, is a solar leader. |
| “Without the federal credit, solar isn’t worth it.” | In DC, SREC income alone can be substantial. In Maryland, full retail net metering and high power prices still drive real savings, for now. |
| “I need thousands of dollars upfront.” | Financing options let many homeowners go solar with no money down and pay over time, often less than the bill they replace. |
| “My rowhouse roof can’t take panels.” | Flat roofs, roof decks and pergolas are common solar sites in DC. |
| “Solar panels need constant maintenance.” | There are no moving parts. Occasional inspection and cleaning is usually all it takes. |
| “If the grid goes down, solar keeps my lights on.” | Grid-tied systems shut off during outages for line-worker safety. A battery is what provides backup power. |
What going solar looks like, step by step
With an experienced local installer, the whole process is largely hands-off for you and can take less than eight weeks.
- Free consultation and quote. Share a recent utility bill and your address. You get a system design, production estimate and savings projection.
- Site assessment. A technician checks your roof, shading and electrical panel and confirms the design.
- Financing and incentives. Choose to pay cash, finance with no money down, or explore a lease or PPA. Your installer lines up SREC registration and any rebates.
- Permits and paperwork. Your installer handles permits, utility interconnection and regulatory filings.
- Installation. Most residential installs take one to a few days on site.
- Inspection and power-on. After the city or county inspection and utility approval, your system switches on and starts saving.
- Monitoring and care. Track production from your phone, and request maintenance whenever you need it.
Ready to see what solar can do for your home?
The best way to know whether solar pays off for you is a custom quote based on your roof and your bills, and it costs nothing.
Revolution Solar has designed and installed hundreds of systems across Washington, DC and Maryland, including Montgomery, Prince George’s, Howard and Baltimore counties. Our team brings construction, engineering and project-management experience to every job, and we’re rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau.
When you work with us, we:
- Design a system that balances looks, performance and quality, including roof decks, pergolas and ground mounts
- Handle every permit, interconnection form and SREC registration
- Offer financing options with no money down
- Add battery storage if you want backup power
- Stay with you after installation for maintenance and support
Maryland homeowners: with net metering closing to new customers on July 1, 2027, now is the time to start.
Get your free quote today. Call (202) 827-6527, email info@revolutionsolar.energy, or contact us online.