Frederick County shines light on solar savings
- Sofia M
- Oct 10
- 3 min read
By Sofia Montoya-Deck
Published in the Frederick News-Post on July 31, 2025
Frederick County property owners have until the end of the year to potentially save $19,000 or more on solar panel installation, courtesy of a county collaboration and soon-to-expire federal tax incentives.
The county’s Division of Energy and Environment has partnered with the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors since 2019 to make renewable energy more accessible and affordable in Frederick, saving property owners around $7,000 on solar panel installation.
Solar United Neighbors’ program, called Switch Together, uses group discounts to lower the cost of rooftop solar, battery backup systems and electric vehicle charging equipment.
In addition to the group discounted rate, a current federal incentive allows participants to offset 30% of the total solar installation cost against federal taxes.
According to industry estimates, the solar tax credit provides an average of $9,000 in savings. Additionally, $3,000 to $4,000 can be saved for a typical battery backup system installed to support the solar panels.
The federal tax incentive, enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act, was scheduled to run until 2032, but will now expire Dec. 31, 2025, due to President Donald Trump signing the “Big Beautiful Bill” on July 4.
Frederick County residents still can earn group discounts through Switch Together after the federal tax incentive expires.
The Switch Together program is geared toward helping homeowners and small businesses overcome the barriers of transitioning to solar, such as high costs.
The program organizes a reverse auction among qualified contractors who compete for the lowest bid. Switch Together sets a baseline price from around 15% to 20% below market rate, Switch Together Partner Director Sukrit Mishra said.
According to Switch Together Director of Community Engagement Scott Annis, 466 households in Frederick County have registered for the program since June 2023. Of those, 110 accepted Switch Together’s personalized offer and were connected with a vetted solar installer.
Once operating on solar, owners can significantly reduce or eliminate monthly energy bills. The use of clean and renewable energy also benefits the greater community by reducing pollution, greenhouse gases and demand on the local electrical grid.
In 2020, the Frederick County Council adopted a climate resolution to bring down greenhouse gas emissions 100% by 2050.
“To make adjustments to home energy use more affordable, more accessible, we look for things like this [program] that let residents and small business owners adopt renewable energy or alternative practices with cost savings,” Annmarie Creamer, the communications manager for the county’s Division of Energy & Environment, said.
People can register for the program up until Sept. 3, 2025. Registration is free and verified applicants will receive a custom site offer, including information about costs and estimated solar production.
Mishra said some people are undecided about solar due to the belief that it is getting cheaper every year.
“This might be the last year where you can factor in those tax credits, so if they’ve been on the fence all this time, this might be their last chance to recoup that or redeem those tax credits,” Mishra said.
Solar systems run an average of 25 to 30 years and, in Maryland, the average payback is anywhere from six to eight years, Mishra said.
“After that, you’re not just saving money, but you’re making money out of that system,” he said. “So it is an investment, but it really pays off and makes you immune to any of those utility escalator rates and any of the supply side constraints on the local grid.”
People interested in participating in the program can visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/SwitchTogether.
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