Maryland businesses are dealing with rising energy costs from multiple angles, including planned rate increases by major providers like BGE and Pepco, labor and infrastructure costs, and inflation. With price hikes impacting long-term affordability and the threat of grid outages affecting operational stability, Maryland business owners need more resilient, secure energy alternatives.
Solar installations and battery backup solutions are redefining energy production for Maryland’s commercial properties. These systems are not simply about saving money on short-term energy costs. With the proper installation, businesses can gain long-term energy independence, strengthen their resilience to economic change, and achieve greater continuity in their financial goals.
The State of Energy Independence in Maryland
As business owners move into 2026, they should be aware of several core initiatives in Maryland that will redefine their energy plans. These include:
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
The RPS rewards businesses for complying with environmental requirements associated with renewable energy production. The standard states that Maryland’s community initiatives should target 50% renewable energy production by 2030. This puts Maryland on the cutting edge of solar adoption and energy independence compared to other states.
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)
As part of the RPS, Maryland businesses can transfer and sell solar renewable energy credits, using their solar installations to create a revenue stream that offsets their rising costs. Credits are assigned to power generated by the business’s system and sold through specialized brokers. Only seven states plus Washington, D.C., have a dedicated SREC market, and four more are eligible to trade through Ohio’s SREC market*. Businesses located in Maryland should take advantage of this rare opportunity.
*These states are Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia
Commercial and Canopy Solar Program (CCSP)
Maryland used to offer businesses two separate programs called the Commercial Solar Grant Program and the Solar Canopy and Dual Use Technology Program. These have been combined into the CCSP for 2026, along with changes to eligibility. This program helps the owners of commercial properties fund solar installations, including roof-mounted, ground-mounted, and canopy systems. Grant funding is not unlimited, so businesses with interest should check the requirements and application information to get started as soon as possible.
View the Maryland Energy Administration site to learn more.
Note: Maryland residents have the Maryland Solar Access Program, which in many ways is the residential equivalent of the Commercial and Canopy Solar Program. Even if national incentives change, these state-level incentives still provide home and business owners plenty of reasons to consider a solar investment in 2026.
How Solar Installations Can Help Businesses Adapt
Solar panels can address many of the challenges confronting modern businesses, including not only rising energy costs but also the increasing risks associated with energy dependence.
For example, businesses overly reliant on grid-based power may have no recourse during an outage caused by a storm or an unexpected surge in usage. Some companies would simply lose operational uptime. However, businesses in food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and other industries can be even more disrupted by outages due to safe storage regulations.
Solar panels allow businesses to rely less on the grid for day-to-day operations, while battery backups help lower the risk of grid outages. Maintaining operational continuity brings long-term stability, partner confidence, and financial resilience.
Scalable Energy Solutions Give Businesses More Options
Scalability is another core concern that solar panels can help Maryland businesses address. As companies grow, they become increasingly responsible for meeting renewable energy targets, complying with environmental requirements in their industries, and protecting their growing operations from unreliable power sources.
For businesses of all sizes, solar power adoption is not simply about counteracting rising energy costs. Professionally installed solar panels can also provide long-term stability as the company grows. Even if incentives change, solar panel investments increase in value as inflation continues to rise and stability becomes a greater indicator of success.
Essential Takeaway
Solar panels are redefining how businesses in Maryland meet the challenges of rising utility prices and electricity dependence. Commercial properties can generate more reliable power, reduce operating expenses, and achieve higher sustainability by investing in clean energy with the help of experienced solar installers.
Local Solar Panel Installers Provide Businesses With Long-Term Energy Stability
At Energy Select, our experienced team can provide innovative conservation and production strategies to businesses of all sizes. Our local team recognizes the sustainability requirements, legislative changes, and utility landscape in Maryland, making it easier for us to provide reliable solutions that meet each business’s energy goals. We can assess your business for solar panel approval and provide an instant quote to help your financial team gauge the short-term expense and long-term value of solar panels.
Contact our team and schedule a solar assessment today to learn how solar panels can help your business achieve its goals.