Renewable Energy

Solar Energy

Solar energy technologies harness energy from the sun to produce electricity with photovoltaic (PV) panels or heat water and air with a solar thermal collector. PV panels produce electricity from semiconductor materials that absorb sunlight and generate an electrical circuit. Solar hot water systems connect a solar collector to absorb sunlight to a storage tank, providing hot water on sunny days without using fossil fuels for heat.

How do I Install a Solar Energy System?

Follow these steps:

1. See if your home or business can support solar. To get the best result, photovoltaic panels or solar heat collectors need a sunny location with limited or no shade coverage. You can estimate energy production and the cost of a system using the  National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts® Calculator.


2. Determine the age of your roof if you are interested in installing a rooftop system. Some systems can last 20-30 years, so have a certified contractor evaluate the viability of your roof before installing a solar energy system.


3. Find a solar installer that is certified by the  North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) or  Roof Integrated Solar Energy (RISE). You can also refer to  Solar Energy Industry Association of Maryland, DC and Virginia (MDV-SEIA) or the  Maryland Clean Energy Center for Maryland-based contractors.

DEP recommends checking relevant licenses, requesting references and a list of itemized costs, and get multiple quotes before selecting an installer. Note, your installer will also need to submit an application for a residential solar PV system permit through  the County’s Department of Permitting Services.

Visit DOE’s websites to learn more about  solar electricity generation or  solar hot water heaters. Visit the  MDV-SEIA for additional installation information.

Join a Solar Co-Op

Solar Co-ops make installing a solar system easy. Solar United Neighbors brings neighbors together and provides support throughout the entire process. The Solar Co-ops take advantage of a group of homeowners’ bulk-purchasing power to get discounted pricing and a quality installation. Volunteer co-op members choose an installer on behalf of the entire group through an open and competitive bidding process. The selected installer provides co-op participants a personalized proposal for their consideration. 

Community Solar

The sun shines everywhere in Maryland. But too few Marylanders could take advantage of solar energy until the advent of a statewide community solar program. Community, or shared, solar makes it possible for anyone with an electric bill to access solar energy, even if they can’t put it where they live. Shared solar means photovoltaic (PV) systems can be somewhere else in the community (in a field, on a building, over a parking lot, and elsewhere) but provide the benefits of solar electricity to participating subscribers. Community solar also represents a significant opportunity to expand direct access to Maryland’s renewable energy economy to everyone in the state. The Public Service Commission has a list of upcoming projects.  

Wind Energy

Wind energy technologies use the energy to generate electricity. Wind energy is harnessed by turbines, or fan-like rotors—when the wind blows, the blades of the fan spin an internal generator that creates electricity. While wind turbines tend to be used for utility and commercial purposes,  small wind electric systems can be used on appropriate residential sites as well.

How do I Install a Wind Energy System?

Follow these steps:

1. See if your home or business can support a wind energy system by visiting  NREL’s Wind Resource Assessment tools. In general, Montgomery County does not have prime wind speeds to make residential wind energy systems cost-effective, according to  DOE’s WINDExchange program. For larger-scale wind energy projects, you can  apply to borrow a wind measuring device from the Maryland Energy Administration to see if a community-sized system is right for you.


2. Make sure the proposed wind turbine site is zoned for this use. A good rule of thumb is that wind turbines should be sited on at least 1 acre of land, but this might be affected by local zoning limitations for structures over 35 feet high. Variances are often needed to site a tall structure. Contact  the County’s Department of Permitting Services for more information.


3. If a wind energy system is appropriate for your site, refer to  DOE’s Small Wind Electric Systems Guide to determine how much electricity can be generated from a potential system.


4. Find a wind installer that is certified by the  North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). You can also refer to the  Maryland Clean Energy Center for Maryland-based contractors.

DEP recommends checking relevant licenses, requesting references and a list of itemized costs, and get multiple quotes before selecting an installer. Note, your installer will also need to submit an application for a residential electrical system permit through  the County’s Department of Permitting Services.

Read more about wind energy on  DOE’s website or the  American Wind Energy Association.

Other Types of Renewables

Solar and wind energy technologies tend to dominate the renewable energy landscape, but there are other energy sources that are gaining popularity, such as geothermal energy and fuel cell technologies. 

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal resources include the energy (heat or coolness) retained in shallow ground, water and rock found beneath the Earth's surface. Geothermal systems capture and transfer the heat or coolness of the earth to supplement the heating and cooling of a building or home.

When shopping for a geothermal system installer, always check for relevant licenses, request references and a list of itemized costs, and get multiple quotes. Additional qualifications to inquire about include the  International Geothermal Heatpump Association (IGSHPA) accreditation. You can also refer to the  Maryland Clean Energy Center,  Air Conditioning Contractors of America Association, or  Geoexchange for Maryland-based contractors.

Read more about geothermal energy on  DOE’s website or on  Geoexchange’s website.

Fuel Cells

A fuel cell uses the chemical energy of hydrogen, bio-fuels, or other fuel sources to cleanly and efficiently produce electricity. Fuel cells operate at high efficiencies of up to 60% compared to combustion engines, and only generate heat and water when producing electricity.

Fuel cell technology can be used in a number of practical applications, including back-up power sources, transportation, material handling, and emergency backup power applications. Fuel cells aren’t common in residential settings due to the high costs, but can be practical for commercial and industrial uses.

Read more about fuel cells on   DOE’s Fuel Cells Technologies Office website or visit the   Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) website for more information.