One of the top things to look at when considering what company to go with is the cost per kilowatt-hour over a 20-year period. This shows how long it will take for you to break even. If this number is 5 or under, then it’s worth looking into because you will be making money right away.
Other things to consider are state rebates and tax breaks. Maryland currently has a 25% federal rebate available for systems purchased through December 31, 2017, that have an expected performance date on or after January 1st, 2018. This means that having your system installed by the end of the year can give you up to $6,000 off via a rebate from Uncle Sam! And if you own your system rather than lease it, Maryland also gives a tax break of 50% of the first $5,000 in income from your solar system!
Lastly, installation costs play a big part. This is basically how much it will cost for your system to be hooked up and running which you want to make sure they’re a reasonable price. You can use Google’s calculator or other energy calculators available online to see if having solar panels is even worth it for you. Other factors need to be considered before buying such as the size of your roof and affordability for both purchase and maintenance.
In this article, we compare and evaluate five solar companies in Maryland.
1. Lumina Solar
Lumina Solar is a leading solar company that offers homeowners high-quality solar power systems at affordable prices. The company has a five-star rating on Yelp and Google Reviews with dozens of positive reviews from happy customers. Lumina Solar is a local solar panel installer who serves the entire state of Maryland as well as Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, and southern Pennsylvania.
The staff at Lumina Solar work with each individual homeowner to customize their own unique system to fit their home’s energy needs and budget. While every system they install is different, most include top-quality panels made by either Panasonic or LG, inverters by SMA America or Fronius USA, racking and mounting equipment from IronRidge or Unirac, and additional equipment to keep your system running smoothly.
From start to finish, the entire process is managed by Lumina Solar’s expert team of installers, engineers, electricians, solar project managers, and other support staff. They are committed to providing their customers with a positive experience throughout the entire process so they walk away completely satisfied with their investment in clean energy technology.
WHAT WE LIKE
- Custom-designed to fit the size and energy needs of your home.
- State-of-the-art equipment from top manufacturers ensures long-lasting, reliable performance.
- All wiring, installation, and maintenance are handled by a professional team with years of experience in solar technology.
- Connected directly to your local utility company for quick and easy transfer between customers
- Highly rated customer service means you’ll make an educated decision on your new system.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- Lumina Solar is currently only available in Maryland and the surrounding states.
2. Solar Energy World
Solar Energy World is a Maryland-based full-service solar company. Since 2009, they have been dedicated to providing homeowners with the best quality for the lowest price possible.
The most important part of going solar is choosing a reliable and trusted contractor that can ensure their work will be successful for years to come. Solar Energy World guarantees they will provide you with a system that generates consistent power from day one until your home is powered by new technology decades into the future!
Solar Energy World has both grown and experienced an impressive amount of success since its beginning in 2009. They were just named number two on Solar Power World’s Top Solar Contractors list! This wouldn’t be possible without their hardworking team and dedication to quality customer service.
Solar panels aren’t an everyday purchase for most people, so trust is key when deciding on someone who can provide you with a system that provides clean energy for years and years to come!
WHAT WE LIKE
- Dedicated to providing homeowners with the best quality for the lowest price possible.
- Proven track record of success and growth since 2009.
- 24/7 access to online tools, including an energy dashboard that provides customers with real-time production data.
- 100% satisfaction is guaranteed
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- The advanced tech may be a bit overwhelming for some people.
3. American Sentry Solar
American Sentry Solar is a top solar installation company in the Maryland and Washington DC areas. They take pride in offering high-quality services and products that meet or exceed industry standards and they put customers’ needs first.
As a leader in the industry, American Sentry Solar is dedicated to providing superior service and outstanding results. To do so, they take great care in hiring qualified personnel that gets the job done right. In addition, each of their employees receives extensive training to ensure that they stay on top of current solar technology and trends. This means customers can feel safe knowing that their solar panel installation will be handled by someone who knows what they’re doing from start to finish.
For homeowners looking for ways to minimize energy costs or even earn additional income with solar power systems, American Sentry Solar offers an array of leading-edge home energy solutions designed to maximize startup savings while reducing long-term energy consumption.
Their high-efficiency solar panels are built from the best components on the market to ensure maximum energy conversion and provide consistent solar power production even during times of limited sunlight.
Since all their solar panel systems are made in-house, American Sentry Solar can offer each homeowner a custom solution that meets their specific needs. In addition, they have a team of experienced solar technicians who will walk you through every step of the process from beginning to end. This ensures that customers fully understand the benefits of going solar with a personalized plan that provides an ideal balance between savings and dependability for years to come.
Whether you want to install a single residential solar system or would like to take advantage of multiple tax incentives with an industry-leading commercial rooftop solution, American Sentry Solar is dedicated to providing you with high-quality, affordable solar power solutions that meet your individual needs. Since they only use the best in solar panel technology, customers can rest easy knowing that they are getting great value when investing in solar energy systems.
WHAT WE LIKE
- 24/7 Availability – Fully licensed and insured – Free Consultations – Variety of Payment Options (Loans, Leasing)
- Outstanding Customer Service – 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- Customers can pick the sort of solar technology they wish to install.
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- Lack of Payment Options
- Limited Availability
4. Nova Solar
Nova Solar has been in business for over 15 years and is one of the best solar companies in Maryland. Solar companies such as Nova Solar use important technology to ensure people can benefit from using solar power to not only save money but also help protect the environment. Although there are many ways you can use solar energy they will focus on how residential and commercial properties can save lots of money and be environmentally friendly by installing a system with Nova Solar.
Nova Solar also helps commercial properties benefit from the use of solar power by installing a system that will help lower the cost of energy. Over the past decade, more companies have started investing in renewable energy sources due to new technology and government incentives.
Solar companies such as Nova Solar, provide a turn-key solution for businesses that want to start saving money from day one. Some commercial entities can even qualify for additional financial benefits because they are actually able to sell back extra electricity produced from their panels back to their local utility company which ends up saving them even more money.
Nova Solar offers personalized service and solutions for homeowners who want a clean and affordable energy source–solar power. With all the benefits it provides you would think everyone would go solar but the number one reason people don’t go solar is that they feel it’s too expensive.
For people who are skeptical about the cost of going solar Nova Solar offers a wide range of finance options that can help make this technology extremely affordable. They do this by working closely with banks and other financing companies that offer long-term loans to pay for your system, which ends up saving you money each month after paying off these high-interest debts.
This company offers great resources that can help homeowners and business owners who want to start saving money by going solar.
WHAT WE LIKE
- 15 years of experience
- Offers personalized solutions
- Finance options available
- Helps protect the environment
- Offers turn-key solutions for businesses
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- Not available everywhere
- There’s no warranty information listed.
5. Sustainable Energy Systems LLC
Sustainable Energy Systems LLC is a full-service solar company that offers a variety of both for-profit and not-for-profit applications. The Solar Company has been featured as the number one directory in both the Maryland directory and the Baltimore Green Guide. Sustainable Energy Systems LLC is committed to bringing environmentally conscious technologies to those who can benefit from them but cannot always afford them.
Sustainable Energy Systems LLC first opened its doors back in 2008, first providing home renovations before offering renewable energy services such as solar panels and wind turbines. Since then, they have installed over 40 solar photovoltaic systems, along with constructing 10 geothermal heat pumps.
The company is based in Frederick, Maryland, and offers its services throughout the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. All of their services are designed to better the environment, but they also offer products with practical functionality for conventional consumers.
Along with solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal heat pumps, Sustainable Energy Systems LLC provides additional green technologies like hydrogen fuel cells, solar attic fans, and gray water systems.
WHAT WE LIKE
- responsive and professional design team
- top of the industry products
- affordable Pricing
- custom Design Work
- excellent Coverage
WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- limited geographical scope
- limited available services
We’ve provided you with the top five best solar companies in Maryland, and we hope that this can be a helpful resource for those who are looking to go green.
Lumina Solar has earned our recommendation as champions because they have everything you’ll ever need in one spot to start generating your own energy.
If you need more information or want to learn about how solar panels work, check out our article on How Solar Panels Work! Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have as well. Don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything else we can help with.
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