Solar Panels in Fort Washington, MD: Cost, Payback & Savings

A typical 8.4 kW home solar system in Fort Washington costs about $33,600 and pays for itself in about 12.6 years, saving roughly $42,384 over 25 years at Maryland's average electricity price of 21.3¢/kWh.

Solid long-term investmentpayback 12.6 years
System size
8.4 kW
21 × 400 W panels
Upfront cost
$33,600
at Maryland median $4.00/W
First-year savings
$2,376
about $198/month
25-year net savings
$42,384
after paying for the system
Production
11,155 kWh/yr
100% of a typical home's use
Peak sun hours
4.8/day
1,328 kWh per kW per year

Monthly solar production in Fort Washington

Estimated output of a 8.4 kW south-facing roof system. Jul is the strongest month (1,185 kWh); Dec the weakest (623 kWh).

02004006008001,0001,2001,400Jan: 696 kWhJanFeb: 781 kWhFebMar: 1,000 kWhMarApr: 967 kWhAprMay: 1,062 kWhMayJun: 1,172 kWhJunJul: 1,185 kWhJulAug: 1,126 kWhAugSep: 977 kWhSepOct: 874 kWhOctNov: 696 kWhNovDec: 623 kWhDec

Solar production (kWh) Typical home use, 929 kWh/month

Solar payback calculator for Fort Washington

Pre-filled with Fort Washington's sunshine and Maryland's average electricity price. Enter your own bill and an installer's price per watt to see your payback.

Leave export credit blank where the utility offers full net metering. Where exports earn less, solar used at home as it's produced is worth the full price and the rest earns the export credit.

System
Cost
Year-1 savings
Payback
25-yr net savings

How Fort Washington compares

Net metering, tax credits and incentives in 2026

Maryland offers net metering: power you send to the grid is credited at or near the retail price, so every solar kWh is valued at 21.3¢ here.

There is no federal tax credit for buying home solar installed in 2026. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so the costs and paybacks on this page include no federal credit.

Maryland and local utilities may still offer rebates, performance payments, property-tax or sales-tax exemptions. Search the DSIRE incentives database for Maryland and ask installers which programs they apply for you.

Frequently asked questions

Is solar worth it in Fort Washington, MD?

For a typical home, a solar system pays for itself in about 12.6 years and then keeps saving money. Over 25 years the estimated net savings are $42,384. Verdict: solid long-term investment. Your own payback depends on your roof, your bill and the quotes you get.

How many solar panels do I need in Fort Washington, MD?

A home using 929 kWh a month (the Maryland average) needs about 21 panels of 400 W — a 8.4 kW system — to cover its annual use. Divide your own yearly kWh by 1,328 to get the kW you need.

How much do solar panels cost in Fort Washington, MD?

At 4.00 dollars per watt, a 8.4 kW system costs about $33,600 before any state or utility incentives. There is no federal tax credit for systems installed in 2026.

How much sun does Fort Washington get?

Fort Washington averages 4.8 peak sun hours per day, so each kilowatt of panels produces about 1,328 kWh a year.

Does Maryland have net metering?

Yes. Power sent back to the grid is credited at or near the retail price (21.3¢ per kWh on average).

How much does electricity cost in Maryland?

Residential electricity in Maryland averages 21.3¢ per kWh, and a typical home uses 929 kWh a month (EIA).

Solar payback in nearby places

Solar guides