Community Solar Resources for Maryland Residents with BG&E
Community solar customers in Maryland receive two bills each month for their electricity: one from BG&E (as usual) and a second from Nautilus Solar Energy.
Dual Billing
With dual billing, you’ll receive a monthly statement from BG&E and a statement from Nautilus Solar:
- BG&E Utility Bill: Shows your total monthly energy usage. Your solar generation from your community solar farm (varies each month) is deducted from these charges, reducing the amount you owe to BG&E.
- Nautilus Solar statement: The solar energy generated by your solar farm is not free. Instead, it is billed separately by Nautilus at a 10-25% discount on what BG&E would charge you.
Yes, you pay two bills, but you are still saving money every month.
What Does Your Nautilus Solar Statement Look Like?
Your monthly statement from Nautilus Solar includes your share of solar energy generated by the community solar farm. You can find the generation details under "This Month's Solar Credits".
In the example, 648.00 kWhs of energy (solar credits) were generated by the solar farm and charged at the standard utility rates, but at a 10-25% discount (discount based on income eligibility)! This customer saved $12.18 this month with Nautilus Solar
How does this work with your BG&E bill?
It’s important to remember that the 648 kWhs you generated are not free. Instead, Nautilus charges this energy separately at 10-25% discount.
In the example below, BG&E calculated that this customer had a monthly usage of 648 kWh. You can see the $121.83 as a deduction on your BG&E bill. Because this customer is on budget billing, they receive a fixed payment every month, and the community solar energy is deducted from that.
Any remaining charges are charged as usual on your BG&E bill.
The -$121.83 under 'Other Charges and Credits' represent your solar generation for the month.
Supply and delivery charges on your BG&E bill are calculated with the remaining kWh usage not covered by your solar generation. In the example, this customer is on budget billing, so the remainder of their fixed payment is included.
Supply charges represent the cost of generating energy for your home or business.
Delivery charges represent the cost to move electricity through the grid to your home or business.
When will I receive my Nautilus statements?
BG&E will likely send you a statement just a few days after your billing period ends. Your invoice for the same period from Nautilus Solar Energy may lag by 1-2 months. This delay reflects the time it takes for BG&E to send us details about your monthly solar credit (energy) generation.
When will I receive my first bill from Nautilus?
Once we place you on an active solar farm, you can expect your first invoice within 1-3 billing cycles.
If your farm is still under construction, it may take several months before the farm starts sending energy into the electric grid. Rest assured, we'll will keep you updated on the status of your solar farm.
Frequently Asked Billing Questions
What Are Solar Credits?
Solar credits are simply the equivalent amount of energy generated by Nautilus Solar instead of BG&E. This energy is deducted from your monthly BG&E bill and is charged by Nautilus Solar at a discount.
What Are Banked Credits?
Extra monthly energy generation is “banked” for use during months when your solar farm generates less. These banked credits are automatically applied when your allocated kWhs are less than your monthly usage. You only pay for these credits once they are used.
You do not need to take any action to use banked credits.
Once a year, BG&E sends out a true-up check for any banked solar credits accumulated over the year. Nautilus will then bill you for those banked credits minus your discount. If you cancel service with BG&E, they will also send a final true-up check, which we will then bill at a discounted rate.
Is Autopay Required
Yes. Autopay is required for all customers with a Nautilus Solar subscription.
You can update your payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account) by logging in to your customer account at https://nautilussolar.com/account.
Can I Receive a Paper Bill from Nautilus?
Unfortunately, we do not offer a paper bill option. Instead, we send your monthly statement to the email address on your account.
You can update your preferred email address under ‘Contact Preferences’ in your customer account at https://nautilussolar.com/account.
Do I Qualify for a Higher Discount?
Low-to-moderate income (LMI) subscribers may qualify for a higher discount on monthly community solar savings. If you qualify for any of the following, you will be prompted to add this information during your enrollment:
| Medicaid | Multi-Family Energy Efficiency |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | Veteran Disability/Survivors Pension |
| Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) | FCC Lifeline Support |
| Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) | USDA National School Lunch Program |
| Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) |
| Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) | HUD Voucher |
| HUD Rental Assistance |
Still Have Questions?
No worries! We know energy bills can sometimes be confusing, and we want you to be confident in your solar savings.
Give us a call at (866) 969-4129 or send us an email at customercare@nautilussolar.com.