Maryland's community solar program allows residents and businesses to receive monthly savings from solar energy without installing solar panels on their roofs. By enrolling with a community solar farm, you can receive solar credits on your utility bills, reducing the amount owed for energy each month.

The state's pilot program officially ended in December 2024, marking the transition to Maryland's permanent community solar program. The community solar program expands access to the benefits of solar energy and is specifically designed to make solar more affordable for everyone, including low- and moderate-income (LMI) households!

Maryland’s Unique Community Solar Program

While several states have permanent community solar programs, Maryland is special for a couple reasons, making Nautilus Solar especially proud and excited to be involved.

• Increased discounts for low- and middle-income (LMI) households: Residents and businesses enrolled with community solar can receive a 10% discount on solar energy, helping to lower their utility bills. Additionally, LMI households in Maryland can receive a 25% discount on this energy! At a time when many households are struggling to make ends meet and power prices continue to increase, this makes a significant difference.

• Simple Utility Consolidated Billing: As of January 2026, utility companies in Maryland now offer consolidated billing for community solar users. You’ll receive your utility bill as usual, with your community solar credits and discounted solar charges included. That means you can save money without managing a separate community solar statement.

How Does Community Solar Work?

You may be wondering how this program works and if it actually helps save money.

Simply put, community solar is a legit state-enacted program that allows you to receive solar savings directly on your utility bill. Here's how it works: 

1. Enroll in community solar. No rooftop solar installation is required, and it takes less than 10 minutes to sign up. After enrolling, we assign you to a nearby solar farm.

2. Your solar farm generates energy. Each month, your farm produces solar energy and sends it into the electricity grid.

3. You receive solar credits. Your utility applies your portion of solar energy as a credit on your monthly utility bills. 

4. You save on solar energy. With community solar, the credited energy is billed at a discount on your utility statements, helping reduce your monthly electric charges.

Our billing resources offer more detail on how community solar works with each Maryland utility company.

Who’s Eligible for the LMI Discounts in Maryland?

The program is available to eligible homeowners, renters, and small businesses across Maryland utility territories, including Baltimore Gas & Electric, Delmarva, Pepco, and Potomac Edison. Customers need to be in the same utility territory as the aligned solar array (check to see if you are eligible).   

Households may qualify for greater discounts on their electric bills if they participate in various assistance programs including: 

• FCC Lifeline Support
• Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP)
• HUD Housing Choice Voucher
• HUD Rental Assistance
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Medicaid
• Multi-Family Energy Efficiency
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• USDA National School Lunch Program
• Veterans Disability or Survivors Pension

If you participate in any of these programs, you may be asked to provide documentation when you enroll for community solar. 

Does Nautilus Solar Have Solar Farms in Maryland?

Not only is Nautilus Solar already operating solar farms in Maryland, but we’re also proud to have been an early participant and leader in Maryland’s Community Solar Pilot Program, which began in 2015 after the state government passed legislation authorizing it.

Today, tens of thousands of people in Maryland benefit from the clean, affordable electricity provided by community solar. We’re more excited than ever to help more Maryland residents lower their electric bills, especially those most in need of savings, and benefit from clean energy.

Ready to start saving each month? Start your community solar enrollment today!