Maryland has aggressively pursued alternative energy projects with a goal of generating 1,250 megawatts of electricity through renewable fuels. The state goal was established in 2007 and state officials expect to meet this goal by the end of 2015.

Facts on the Maryland Solar Industry

Maryland's solar industry is bigger than the state’s famous crab industry in value. Tweet this fact

• There are currently more than 109 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in Maryland, employing 1,900.
• In 2012, Maryland installed 79 MW of solar electric capacity, ranking it 8th nationally. See more solar state rankings.
• Maryland ranks 14th in the country in cumulative installed solar capacity.  There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 11,500 homes.
• In 2012, $205 million was invested in Maryland to install solar on homes and businesses.  This represents a 74% increase over the previous year, and is expected to grow again this year.
• Average installed residential and commercial photovoltaic system prices in Maryland fell by 26% last year.  National prices have also dropped steadily— by 13% from last year and 34% from 2010.

View more solar industry data.

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Notable Solar Installations in Maryland

• Mount St. Mary's University Solar Farm in Emmitsburg was completed in 2012 by developer First Solar.  This photovoltaic project has the capacity to generate 14 MW of electricity-- enough to power over 1,400 Maryland homes.
• At 20 MW, Maryland Solar Farm in Hagerstown is among the largest solar installations in Maryland.  Completed in 2012 by First Solar, this photovoltaic project has enough electric capacity to power over 1,980 homes.

SEIA Solar Policy Priorities

• Support policies that promote long‐term SREC contracts

Maryland Solar Policy Timeline

The SEIA Maryland committee, comprised of representatives from SEIA, MDV-SEIA and Maryland solar energy companies, has worked hard to advocate for policies that will enable continued growth in the Maryland solar energy industry.

• On May 22nd 2012, Governor O’Malley signed into law the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard for Solar Energy and Solar Water Heating Systems bill (Senate Bill 791 and House Bill 1187), which accelerates the target date for achieving the state's two-percent solar carve-out by two years and ensures the industry maintains positive, year over year job growth. The legislation is designed to keep the local industry from experiencing the cycles of boom and bust that have hurt sustained growth in neighboring states. Learn more about renewable portfolio standard policies.
• Early in 2012, SEIA's Maryland committee successfully intervened in the proposed merger of Exelon and Constellation Energy, negotiating a requirement for an additional 30 MW of solar capacity to be installed in Maryland as part of the merger approval.
• In 2011, SEIA and our partners worked to correct problems with Maryland’s net-metering regulations, expanding the market for solar energy in the state. SEIA also successfully advocated for the addition of solar thermal technology to the state’s renewable portfolio standard program.
• In 2007, the groundwork was set for more recent policy achievements as a solar requirement was added to the state’s renewable portfolio standard program. This legislation established the Maryland solar renewable energy market, providing incentives for businesses and homeowners to add solar energy to their properties.

Solar Companies in Maryland

There are currently more than 109 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in Maryland.  These companies provide a wide variety of solar products and services ranging from solar system installations to the manufacturing of components used in photovoltaic panels.  These companies can be broken down across the following categories: 9 manufacturers, 2 manufacturing facilities, 64 contractor/installers, 11 project developers, 6 distributors and 19 engaged in other solar activities including financing, engineering and legal support.

Don't see your company listed? Complete our National Solar Database Survey!

Maryland State Solar Policy Resources

DSIRE Incentives Database - Maryland - Search a public clearinghouse for specific solar energy incentives in Maryland and across the United States

Maryland Public Service Commission - Learn about the governing body that regulates the electricity rates and services of Maryland public utilities

Maryland General Assembly - Track pending legislation affecting solar energy, locate and contact individual legislators, and stay up to date on current legislative issues in Maryland

Maryland Energy Administration - Find a wide variety of information on state government energy programs, policy, projects, energy-saving strategies and energy-related statistics

U.S. Energy Information Administration Maryland State Profile - Explore official energy statistics, including data on electricity supply and demand, from the U.S. government