Community solar in Maryland is simpler than most people expect. You don't need to own a home, you don't need to install anything, and there's no upfront cost to get started.
Here's the step-by-step process — from checking your eligibility to seeing your first credit on your BGE, Pepco, Potomac Edison, or Delmarva bill.
Step 1: Check If You're Eligible
Maryland's community solar program is available to most residential and commercial customers in the state. The eligibility requirements are straightforward:
- You have an active electricity account with BGE, Pepco, Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy), or Delmarva Power
- Your account is in good standing — no outstanding disputes or final-cut status
- You live or operate in Maryland — the solar farm must be in the same utility territory as your account
Renters are eligible. You do not need your landlord's permission, and you do not need to own the property where you live. Community solar is tied to your utility account, not your physical address.
If you're not sure which utility serves your address, you can check on the utility's website or look at your current electricity bill. The utility name is printed near the top of any monthly statement.
Step 2: Choose a Community Solar Program
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Maryland has multiple community solar programs operating across the state. Not all programs are available in every utility territory, and the specifics — savings rate, contract terms, and activation timeline — vary by provider.
When evaluating programs, focus on three things:
Savings rate: Most programs offer 10–20% below the utility's retail supply rate. The exact discount depends on the program and your usage level.
Contract terms: Some programs require multi-year commitments. Others have no long-term contract. Read the cancellation terms before signing.
Activation timeline: Most programs take 4–8 weeks to activate after enrollment. During this period, you won't see any changes to your bill yet — that's normal.
StarShine LLC's program offers a minimum 15% savings rate with no long-term contract required, serving BGE, Pepco, Potomac Edison, and Delmarva customers across Maryland.
Step 3: Review Your Expected Savings
Before you commit, you should have a clear picture of what you'll save. The savings calculation is based on:
- Your monthly electricity usage — the higher your bill, the more you benefit from solar credits
- Your utility territory — BGE customers tend to see the strongest returns given current rate levels
- The program discount rate — the percentage below retail rate at which your credits are priced
The math works like this: if your monthly bill is $150 and your community solar program offers a 15% discount, your first month of credits would offset approximately $22.50 in supply charges. The rest of your bill — delivery charges, taxes, and fees — stays the same. These are not eliminated; they're reduced by the credit amount.
When your subscription output exceeds your usage in a given month, you only pay the fixed customer charge — for BGE that's $9.65/month. That's the floor.
You can estimate your savings using our calculator — it takes about two minutes and doesn't require any commitment.
Step 4: Enroll in the Program
Enrollment is typically done online and takes 10–15 minutes. You'll need:
- Your utility account number — found on your electricity bill
- Your service address — the address where you receive electricity service
- Basic contact information — name, email, phone
The enrollment form will verify your account with your utility. This is a standard step — it confirms you're a customer in an active program territory and that your account is in good standing.
Once you submit, you'll receive a confirmation email. The solar farm assignment and program activation happens on the backend — you'll be notified when your credits begin appearing on your bill.
Step 5: Wait for Activation — Then Watch Your Bill Change
After enrollment, activation typically takes 4–8 weeks. During this period:
- Your bill doesn't change yet — activation hasn't happened, so your normal utility charges continue
- No action is required from you — just wait for the confirmation email
- You can still cancel before activation — check your program's cancellation policy during the enrollment period
Once activated, you'll see a line item on your utility bill labeled something like Community Solar Credit or Solar Subscription Credit. This credit appears every month automatically — you don't need to do anything after enrollment to keep it active.
The credit reduces your supply charges. Delivery charges, taxes, and fixed fees still appear — those are separate from community solar and are set by your utility and state regulators.
Utility Territories Covered
Maryland's community solar program operates across the state's major utility territories:
- BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric): Central Maryland, including Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, and parts of Harford County. BGE customers currently have the highest rate environment, making community solar the most valuable here.
- Pepco (Potomac Electric Power Company): Montgomery County and Prince George's County. Pepco serves the DC metro suburbs, a densely populated area with above-average electricity rates.
- Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy): Western Maryland, including Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties. Potomac Edison rates are lower than BGE but have been rising steadily.
- Delmarva Power: Maryland's Eastern Shore, including Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, and Cecil counties. Delmarva serves a mix of residential and commercial customers.
Not all community solar programs are available in every territory. Check availability for your specific ZIP code before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does the enrollment process take?
A: The enrollment form itself takes 10–15 minutes to complete online. After that, activation typically takes 4–8 weeks. You won't see changes on your bill during the activation period — that's normal.
Q: Can I enroll if I'm a renter?
A: Yes. Maryland's community solar program is tied to your utility account, not your property. Renters with active utility service in their name are fully eligible. You do not need your landlord's permission.
Q: Do I need to install anything on my property?
A: No. Community solar requires zero installation. The solar farm is built elsewhere in Maryland — you simply subscribe to a share of its output. Credits appear on your existing utility bill automatically.
Q: Is there an upfront cost to sign up?
A: No. Enrollment in StarShine LLC's community solar program has no upfront fee, no signup cost, and no equipment to purchase. You pay nothing to join.
Q: What if my subscription generates more electricity than I use?
A: In Maryland, when your community solar subscription output exceeds your usage in a given month, you only pay the fixed customer charge — for BGE that's $9.65/month. That's the floor. You won't be charged for excess generation.
Q: Can I cancel my subscription?
A: Yes, community solar subscriptions can typically be cancelled with notice. Check the specific program's cancellation terms — some require 30 days notice or have a minimum enrollment period. StarShine LLC's program has no long-term contract requirement.
Related Reading
- What Is Community Solar? How It Works (Plain-English Guide)
- BGE Raised Rates Again in 2026 — Here's How Homeowners Are Pushing Back
- Maryland Is Fighting Back Against BGE — But Relief Hasn't Arrived Yet. Here's How to Lock In Savings Now.
StarShine LLC helps Maryland and Illinois homeowners and businesses access solar savings through community programs, site assessments, and BPI-certified energy consulting. Questions? Reach us at sunfunnel@polsia.app.