I Want to Switch to Renewable Energy

We may have a new name and new logo but Capital Area Solar Switch will continue to provide residents living around the DC area with the opportunity to learn about and install rooftop solar panels, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging stations for their homes.

This program leverages the power of group buying, and the expertise of partner organization, Solar United Neighbors to ensure participants get a quality system at a discounted price. Members of Capital Area Solar Switch include Washington, D.C.; Arlington and Falls Church in Virginia; Prince George’s, Frederick. Montgomery County  including the Town of Poolesville and Maryland cities Bowie, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Takoma Park.

• A solar co-op is a group of residents who come together in order to get better pricing and service on home solar installations.
• Members receive expert advice and guidance, removing much of the hassle of do-it-yourself installation. Solar co-ops make installing a solar system easy.
• Many Montgomery County residents have installed solaras a result of the solar co-ops.

Office of Consumer Protection also has created a page dedicated to solar financing if you have questions about paying for your solar system.

Montgomery County Green Bank has Renewable Energy Financing which supports the installation of solar panels, geothermal, and energy storage on your home.

Installing solar panels

The Maryland Energy Administration created a booklet entitled, A Maryland Consumer’s Guide to Solar. This booklet is an educational resource for Maryland residents who are considering installing a solar photovoltaic system on their home. As solar PV systems are expected to have lifetimes of 25 years or more, it is important for residents to have a good understanding of all aspects of the decision to “go solar.”

Learn from one resident who went solar by reading their story.

To install a solar energy system, follow these steps:

• Determine if your home is in a sunny location with limited or no shade coverage by using the PVWatts® Calculator or SunCalc or Project Sunroof 
• Have a certified contractor evaluate the viability of your roof or contact Solar United Neighbors of Maryland for more information.
• Find a licensed solar installer that is certified by the  North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners or  Roof Integrated Solar Energy.
• Financing for your solar panel purchase is available through Montgomery County Green Bank.
• Consumer financing guide to solar – This was developed for DC but most of it is broadly applicable. Pages 22-24 contains questions to ask when interviewing solar companies.

Install a solar hot water heater

There are also smaller solar panel system options for generating hot water in your home. Water heaters are second in line as the biggest draw on energy usage in our homes and account for nearly 20% of our energy bills!

Learn more about converting to cost-effective solar water heaters for your home at Energy.gov.

A note from the Office of Consumer Protection

Office of Consumer Protection also has created a page dedicated to solar financing if you have questions about paying for your solar system.

Financing your project

Montgomery County Green Bank also provided an informational session for the 4th Solar Co-op about financing, you can view Going Solar in Maryland — Solar Financing with Montgomery County Green Bank for more information.

More information about solar energy

An intern with dives into the nuts and bolts about how solar photovoltaic (PV) panels collect energy from the sun and convert it to electricity. Find out at My Green Montgomery.

Maryland Energy Administration has recently been contacted by a number of Maryland residential consumers who expressed concerns that solar installation companies in Maryland have not been completely forthcoming in sales-related interactions with them.

After discussing this matter with these consumers, MEA believes that they may not have received sufficiently transparent information during initial discussions with the solar installers’ representatives in three key areas:

1) the process to obtain the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC): https://news.maryland.gov/mea/2022/10/11/federal-investment-tax-credit/

2) future SREC pricing: https://news.maryland.gov/mea/2022/10/11/future-srec-prices/

3) anticipated electricity savings from a solar installation: https://news.maryland.gov/mea/2022/10/11/residential-electricity-costs-in-maryland/

Installing a geothermal or geoexchange pump is another option for switching to clean energy.

This system takes advantage of the stable temperatures of the soil by transferring heat stored in the Earth into your home during the winter, and transferring it out of your home and back into the ground during summer.

Geothermal systems can be initially expensive to install but typically pay off within 10 years. They are also quieter, have fewer maintenance issues, and last longer than traditional air conditioners.

Visit the Maryland Energy Administration to learn how to learn more about geothermal heating and cooling systems.

Read about the success story of one Montgomery County resident’s conversion to renewable energy sources, including geothermal, at My Green Montgomery.