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10 Best Solar Companies in Bethesda, MD

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Written By David Cusick

Last Updated February 2024

Solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Bethesda homeowners. Making the transition to solar energy can allow you to save money and lower your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. Luckily, we've done the research and created a guide to the best and most reputable solar installation providers in Bethesda.

Our Recommended Providers

Best Overall
4.7/5
  • High-quality Maxeon solar panels
  • Nearly 30 years in business
  • Great customer service
Best Solar Panel Leasing
4.2/5
  • Long warranty options
  • Insurance available on panels
  • Free Tesla Power Wall maintenance

Top 10 Best Solar Companies in Bethesda

Free State Solar Co

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11140 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 (240) 847-3032 solar-maryland.com

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Services Offered

Residential panels
Maintenance
Skilled repairs
Consultation
Off-grid solar systems
Commercial panels

Old Dominion Solar Panels

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1482 Ingleside Ave, McLean, VA 22101 (571) 946-6975 virginia-solar.com

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Skilled repairs
Consultation
Off-grid solar systems
Commercial panels
Residential panels
Maintenance

Caleb Solar

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1775 Tysons Blvd, McLean, VA 22102 (855) 554-5044 calebsolar.com

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Prompt service delivery

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Consultation
Residential panels
Financing assistance
Commercial panels
Battery storage

Sunlight-To-The Rescue, LLC

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10014 Colesville Rd Ste B, Silver Spring, MD 20901 (240) 641-5054 sunlighttotherescue.com

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Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Consultation
Residential panels

EDGE Energy

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6854 Distribution Dr, Beltsville, MD 20705 (301) 321-7868 edge-gogreen.com

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Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Cleaning
Residential panels
Commercial panels
Energy efficiency audit
Consultation
Financing assistance

Advanced Solar

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3321 75th Ave suite f, Landover, MD 20785 (202) 505-5401 advanced.solar

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Prompt service delivery

Services Offered

Commercial panels
Residential panels
Permit assistance

SunGaze Solar, L.L.C.

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137 National Plaza Suite 300 - #1, Forest Heights, MD 20745 (844) 786-4293 sungazesolar.com

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Services Offered

Financing assistance
Residential panels
Commercial panels
Maintenance
Permit assistance
Skilled repairs
Battery storage

Glim Solar

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18310 Montgomery Village Ave #300, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 (240) 739-0827 glimsolar.com

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Services Offered

Financing assistance
Consultation
Maintenance
Solar roof assessment
Residential panels

Sky NRG Solar Inc.

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12020 Sunrise Valley Dr #100, Reston, VA 20191 (703) 935-2350 skynrgsolar.com

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Prompt service delivery

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Battery storage
Consultation
Permit assistance
Residential panels
Commercial panels

Suntuity Solar

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4351-4395 Nicole Dr #4371, Lanham, MD 20706 (443) 775-7860 suntuitysolar.com

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Services Offered

Residential panels
Commercial panels
Battery storage
Financing assistance
Consultation
Permit assistance
Today's Homeowner Ranking Methodology

Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:

  • Company Experience
  • Real User Reviews
  • Company Reputation
  • Accreditations and Licenses
  • Service Area
  • Customer Service
Have questions about our methodology or company ratings? Reach out to FindAPro@TodaysHomeowner.com.

How To Choose a Solar Company

Installing solar panels can lower your electricity costs and benefit the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. When evaluating if a solar provider is a good fit for you, consider these key factors.

Check Licensing

Make sure you hire a licensed solar installer. This ensures that the work is done properly using current best installation practices. The installation crew for a solar photovoltaic (PV) system in Maryland must include a Home Improvement Commission-licensed contractor and a master electrician with at least seven years' experience. The contractor installs the panels, while the master electrician handles permits and connects the system to the grid. If you're installing a solar water heater, your contracting team must include a master plumber for utility connections and permits.

Read Customer Reviews

Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar installers. Detailed reviews on these platforms can help you evaluate a provider's reliability and customer service. Stay away from companies with few or mainly poor reviews.

Compare Multiple Quotes

Call 3–5 solar companies for free, itemized quotes. These quotes should describe all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the option that aligns with your budget.

Ask About the Warranty

Quality solar installations should have comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. The performance guarantee promises a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

Installing solar panels can help lower your electric bills over time. When weighing the total price and value of solar panels, be sure to consider these factors.

  • Compare system purchase options: Solar panels can be purchased outright or paid for over time through a loan or lease. Verify all terms when financing, including annual percentage rate (APR), payment schedule, fees, and ownership implications.
  • Research federal and state tax credits: A 26% federal tax credit for solar the applies to total system costs is available through 2032. Many states also have incentives. These credits offer substantial savings for solar customers.
  • Look into utility rebates: More discounts might be available from local power companies looking to encourage homeowners to go solar. Contact your local utility provider to learn rebate values and eligibility rules, so you can determine your possible savings.

Cost of Solar Installation in Bethesda

In Bethesda, solar panels cost an average of $3,540 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 5.6 kilowatts. The typical Bethesda homeowner spends $13,851 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will consider additional information based on your desired system's size, capacity, required preliminary work, and panel type. In some cases, homeowners may prefer leasing solar panels to reduce upfront costs.

Bethesda Solar Incentives Guide

Incentive Type: Rebate Program

Website: energy.maryland.gov

Incentive Amount:

PV: $1,000/project (flat per installation/household incentive)
SWH: $500/project (flat per installation/household incentive)
New GHC: $3,000/project
GHC Replacement: $500/project

Incentive Type: Rebate Program

Website: pepco.com

Incentive Amount:

Lighting Get instant, in-store discounts on select ENERGY STAR certified lighting.
LED Bulbs: Up to $3 per bulb
LED Fixtures: $8 per fixture
Appliances
Clothes Dryer: $50
Clothes Washer: $75 - $100
Hybrid Water Heater: $500
Pool Pump: $150 - $400
Refrigerator: $100
Smart Thermostat: $100
Dehumidifier: $30
HVAC
Air-Source Heat Pump: $400 (Tier 1) - $650 (Tier 2)
Central A/C: $300 (Tier 1) - $500 (Tier 2)
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
ECM Furnace Motor: $50 - $100
Home Energy Check up: Free
Recycling
Refrigerator or Freezer: $50
Room A/C or Dehumidifier: $25

Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive

Incentive Amount:

100% exemption from sales and use tax

Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive

Incentive Amount:

100% exemption

Incentive Type: Rebate Program

Website: energy.maryland.gov

Incentive Amount:

Stick Burning Stove: $500
Pellet Burning Stove: $700

Incentive Type: Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program

Website: psc.state.md.us

Incentive Amount:

Varies based on market conditions

Incentive Type: Rebate Program

Website: energy.maryland.gov

Incentive Amount:

Residential: $4,000/kW of normalized capacity at 11 m/s
Community: $1000/kW - $4000/kW, depending on the system capacity

Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive

Incentive Amount:

Varies

Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive

Incentive Amount:

100% real property tax exemption for solar and wind energy property

Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive

Incentive Amount:

Varies by jurisdiction; credit may be available for up to 3 years.

Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit

Website: ecowatch.com

Incentive Amount:

30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Bethesda, MD

A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. A more specific example is installing a solar water heating system.

With home solar energy, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and gain additional energy independence.

Of course. The grid in Bethesda already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings.

Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Bethesda amount to $943.

Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on your solar panels. It will vary based on their rated capacity, the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, and the average sunlight in your area. Bethesda gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 14.7 years per 5 kW of capacity.

The maintenance you'll need to do will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. At a minimum, you should clean and inspect each panel once per season. Your solar installer might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance for you.

Absolutely. Solar panels exist independently from the power grid in Bethesda and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Keep in mind, however, that a solar system won't take you through a nighttime outage if you don't have a storage system. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.

The most common types of home solar panels in Bethesda include polycrystalline, thin-film and monocrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while thin-film and polycrystalline panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Ask your local provider about what kinds of solar panels they work with.

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