SOLAR & NET METERING

 

If you are considering installing solar panels at your home to generate your own electricity, the following information may be helpful. In addition to providing important factors with solar, it also explains our net metering program.

 

Solar Panels

Solar panels or photovoltaic (PV) systems may or may not be a good investment for some customers. There are various factors involved in determining the feasibility of solar panels including the cost of installation, the amount of energy you use, and the sunlight your home receives throughout the day.

You can estimate the amount of energy that your system would provide and the value of any energy from the solar array here:
https://pvwatts.nrel.gov

As of July 2026, the average Easton Utilities Electric residential customer pays $0.06 per kWh for energy delivered to their home.

Customers who have a meter and power to their home will receive a monthly bill as they will still be serviced by Easton Utilities when needed (lack of sunlight or demand for additional energy).

Easton Utilities does not charge to install a net meter.

 

Portable Solar Energy Generating Systems Panels (Balcony Solar)

Pursuant to MD House Bill 1532, which was signed into law in Maryland, Easton Utilities provides this notification regarding Portable Solar Generators (Balcony Solar). This notification is applicable to Maryland customer who have a "portable solar energy generating system" that is designed to be connected to a building's electrical system through a standard electrical outlet; primarily intended to offset part of the building's electricity consumption; limited to supplying a maximum power output of not more than 1,200 watts back to the electric system of the building; and certified by underwriters laboratory or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory. Under this law, a person may purchase and install not more than one portable solar energy generating system per electric meter for residential use only.

A customer using a portable solar energy generating system must: (1) notify the electric company providing service in the service territory in which the generating system will be installed before installation; (2) provide to the electric company providing service in the service territory in which the generating system will be or is installed a certification of the safety features and maximum generating capacity of the generating system; and (3) if the generating system requires an automatic locking disconnect switch to be installed, pay for the switch installation. If you are a customer who intends to install a portable solar energy generating system as described above, complete the form below and send to netmetering@eucmail.com.

Portable Solar Generation Notification Form

 

Net Metering

Net metering programs provide a standard interconnection application process for all electric utilities in Maryland and are regulated by the Public Service Commission (PSC). Systems may be customer-owned or financed but the use of a Power Purchase agreement is not allowed.

 

Interconnection Applications

You can complete the application process by using the links below. Most customer use a solar installation company and the contractor often completes the application. Send completed forms to Rob Himelright at rhimelright@eucmail.com.

Application for Level 1 Interconnection

Application for Level 2, 3 & 4 Interconnection

Application for Easton Utilities Aggregated Net Energy Metering (ANEM) Interconnection

Maryland Interconnection Agreement Change Notice

 

Interconnection Standards

EU Electric Tariff

Net Metering Rider

 

Your Bill

Easton Utilities does not charge for installing a net meter. The net meter will measure the amount of energy used as well as the amount produced and the bill will reflect the difference. This is the net amount of energy used.

Easton Utilities will collect a customer charge each month, but the customer will only be billed for energy and distribution charges when energy is used from Easton Utilities. Customers will receive a payout annually for any banked energy.

It is important to add that if there is a power outage affecting the location, the customer will lose power. There is a required safety feature to prevent the solar array system from feeding energy back into the utility lines.

 

Questions you should ask a solar contractor

  • Are you a licensed and certified installer?
  • How much energy do you estimate I will produce?
  • When you size my system based on my home, can you give me different options on sizes and costs and how they will affect the amount of energy I will use from the grid?
  • How much will the installation cost? Do I have to pay anything up front? Are there financing options or monthly fees?
  • How much of a reduction will I receive on my monthly bills? (Summer, winter, spring, and fall will be different based on the angle of the sun, the amount of energy used, and the amount of energy you produce.)
  • If leasing, what are the details of the lease agreement? Number of years? Interest rate?
  • What happens if I sell my home? Is the lease transferable to a new homeowner?
  • What if my roof needs new shingles or I want the system removed, is there a buyout?
  • Do I need special homeowner’s insurance?
  • Will I need any upgrades to my electric system? If so, who will pay Easton Utilities or an electrician to make the upgrades and how much will they cost?
  • Can the solar panels be installed anywhere on my property or only on my roof?
  • Will I receive any tax credits?
  • How many systems have you installed in the area and do you have references that I can check?

 

Helpful Links