Is Solar Worth It in Maryland in 2026 (No Federal Credit)?

Solar can be worth a hard look in Maryland in 2026 when the bill is large, the roof is sound and mostly unshaded, and the price is one you can rebuild without a federal discount. It is a weak fit when the chart only works if an SREC quote never moves and a 30 percent credit still exists. There is no statewide yes.

The credit that is gone

The federal residential credit under section 25D ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. The IRS counts the expenditure when the original installation is completed. A 2026 Maryland contract does not get a 30 percent homeowner credit under that rule. Leases do not give the credit back to you, because you do not own the system. The tax credit page cites the statute and the IRS FAQ. This paragraph is not tax advice.

The price to compare

Berkeley Lab's August 2026 update put the median up-front price of host-owned, stand-alone U.S. residential systems installed in 2025 at about $3.60 per watt before incentives. Cash purchases in the subset they could classify were about $3.00 per watt. Loan-financed systems were about $4.50 per watt. The median size was 7.7 kW. Those are national medians, not a BGE or Pepco bid. A Maryland cost guide says the same thing at more length. Our calculator does not subtract the system cost, so it cannot print a payback year.

The tariff that is dated

Current Maryland net metering closes to new customers by July 1, 2027 at the latest under House Bill 1532, and sooner if a capacity cap is hit. The successor rate is not a number this page can honestly print, because the Public Service Commission has to approve the framework by February 1, 2027. Details are in Maryland net metering through July 2027.

Brighter Tomorrow certified SRECs have a 1.5x compliance value for eligible systems placed in service from July 1, 2024 through January 1, 2028, subject to megawatt caps. On November 4, 2026, a Flett Exchange sell-now quote for those certified vintages was $58.50. Treat that as a broker snapshot. Do not treat it as income.

The 2025 EIA residential average for Maryland was 19.53 cents per kWh. BGE, Pepco, Potomac Edison, Delmarva, and SMECO can differ from that average and from each other. Start with the city that matches the bill: Baltimore, Annapolis, or Rockville. Then get a free estimate and make the installer replace the state average with the rider on your bill.