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Josephine NesbitHome improvement writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 solar companies that operate within 50 miles of Bowie. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
Top-quality solar panel installation in Bowie, Maryland, requires you to hire a solar technician that is properly certified, trained and experienced. To guide your search for the right installer, we've gathered a list of the highest-ranking solar companies in Bowie.
Prior to hiring an installer, get referrals, vet potential installers and obtain multiple quotes to find the ideal company for you. You can pick a local Bowie solar company or choose a reputable national brand.
While solar panels require a significant upfront investment, you can lower your energy bills over the long term. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), switching to solar energy allows Bowie homeowners to save $860 on average each year.
The services from different solar technicians aren't all the same. Make sure to compare companies and get quotes before you book your solar panel installation.
When looking into Bowie solar companies, look for those with a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars on sites like Google Reviews and similar platforms, in addition to a good reputation on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
You should look at past customer reviews to get insight into other homeowners' thoughts about the company. Watch for repeated negative feedback as a potential red flag.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Even areas with fluctuating sun amounts, including rainier and cloudier places such as Bowie, can still benefit from solar panels. Key reasons to adopt solar are:
Our survey from October 2023 found that the national average price of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The cost of installing solar panels varies based on several factors, including your location, sunlight exposure, roof direction, shading, system size and labor. Be prepared to pay extra if you pick any extras like animal guards, solar trackers or batteries.
Per statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the EIA and NASA the average expense to install solar panels in Bowie is $13,517.
Although installing solar panels requires a large investment to start, you can see considerable savings on your energy bills in the long term.
Homeowners in Bowie who move completely to solar energy can expect to save money. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and variables such as rainfall and tree coverage affect the time it takes to see returns on your investment in solar panels.
Beyond cost savings, switching to solar power also shrinks your carbon footprint and lowers your environmental impact. Provided below are the projected CO2 emission reductions you can expect from solar energy, as determined by our analysis of data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
There are a number of solar incentives open to homeowners in Bowie. Various programs extend to all Maryland residents, while others are determined by your utility company, municipality and city.
Here are solar incentives offered to Maryland residents, as listed by DSIRE.
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Rebate Program Residential Clean Energy Rebate Program | 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 |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) | Varies based on market conditions |
Sales Tax Incentive Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Residential Solar and Wind Electricity Sales | 100% exemption from sales and use tax |
Property Tax Incentive Property Tax Exemption for Solar and Wind Energy Systems | 100% real property tax exemption for solar and wind energy property |
Rebate Program Clean-Burning Wood Stove Grant Program | Stick Burning Stove: $500 Pellet Burning Stove: $700 |
Sales Tax Incentive Wood Heating Fuel Exemption | 100% exemption |
Property Tax Incentive Local Option - Property Tax Credit for High Performance Buildings | Varies |
Property Tax Incentive Local Option - Property Tax Credit for Renewables and Energy Conservation Devices | Varies by jurisdiction; credit may be available for up to 3 years. |
Rebate Program Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (Electric) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Appliances & Recycling Clothes Dryer (Electric): $50 Clothes Washer: $75 - $100 Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater: $500 Pool Pump: $150 - $400 Refrigerator: $100 Dehumidifier: $30 Refrigerator or Freezer Recycling: $50, plus $25 bonus when recycling an old, working room A/C or dehumidifier at the same time Room A/C or Dehumidifier Recycling (*May 20, 2017 only*): $25 Smart Thermostat: $100 Heating & Cooling Air-Source Heat Pump: $400 - $650 Central A/C: $300 - $500 Gas Furnace: $250 Furnace Blower Motor: $50 - $100 Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500 Lighting Instant discounts vary by participating retailer; see program website |
Rebate Program Baltimore Gas & Electric Company (Gas) - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | Appliances & Recycling Clothes Dryer (Electric): $50 Clothes Washer: $75 - $100 Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater: $500 Pool Pump: $150 - $400 Refrigerator: $100 Dehumidifier: $30 Refrigerator or Freezer Recycling: $50, plus $25 bonus when recycling an old, working room A/C or dehumidifier at the same time Room A/C or Dehumidifier Recycling (*May 20, 2017 only*): $25 Smart Thermostat: $100 Heating & Cooling Air-Source Heat Pump: $400 - $650 Central A/C: $300 - $500 Gas Furnace: $250 Furnace Blower Motor: $50 - $100 Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500 Lighting Instant discounts vary by participating retailer; see program website |
Rebate Program Residential/Community Wind Grant Program | Residential: $4,000/kW of normalized capacity at 11 m/s Community: $1000/kW - $4000/kW, depending on the system capacity |
Rebate Program PEPCO - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program | LightingGet 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 |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 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. |
Before choosing a solar panel installation professional, evaluate these key considerations.
The size of your system depends on your household’s energy consumption and the solar panel system's production ratio. Larger households generally use more energy and may require a bigger setup. If the system isn’t big enough, it may not produce enough energy to power your entire house.
Your solar plans may be impacted by certain regulatory requirements and state or local laws. You must acquire proper permits through your local building department and schedule an inspection.
Not all homes have the same amount of sun. Nearby trees, precipitation and harsh weather can affect sunlight access. If your property doesn’t get enough sunlight, then you may need more panels with higher wattage.
Several solar panel systems include a solar battery. Solar batteries conserve extra energy, which can be helpful for avoiding outages in bad weather. Opting for battery storage could increase the cost of installation.
There are several solar panel types available, with differences in efficiency, life expectancy and design. These aspects affect not just the cost, but also how often panels will need to be replaced and roof space requirements.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
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