Ethan BrooksBy Ethan Brooks

Updated November 2026

BGE solar net metering lets a home with rooftop or ground-mounted panels send surplus electricity to the grid and receive bill credits for it. This guide explains how the process works with Baltimore Gas and Electric, what you need to qualify, and how to check that your credits are being applied correctly. The steps below follow the typical path for a residential system, though your exact paperwork may vary.

How BGE Solar Net Metering Works

Your panels produce power whenever the sun is shining. Electricity your home uses right away comes from the panels first. Any excess flows through your meter onto the grid, and the meter records it. When your panels produce less than you use, such as at night or on cloudy days, you draw power from BGE as usual. Net metering nets these two flows against each other over the billing period, so you pay only for the difference.

Shopping for one? See our guide: Net Metering in Virginia vs Virginia Community Solar: Which Should You Choose?.

Credits are generally applied to your bill as a kilowatt-hour balance. If you export more than you import in a month, the surplus typically carries forward to offset future usage. Check your bill and your interconnection agreement for how any remaining credit is handled at the end of a year, since rules on this can differ.

Steps to Get Your System Connected and Credited

  1. Confirm your system size and design with a licensed installer, and make sure the array and inverter meet the interconnection requirements in BGE’s published guidelines.
  2. Submit an interconnection application to BGE before installation. Include equipment specifications, a single-line diagram, and your site information.
  3. Wait for approval. Do not energize the system until BGE has signed off, since operating an unapproved system can lead to rejection of your application.
  4. Install a bidirectional (net) meter or confirm your existing meter can record exports. BGE typically schedules this change.
  5. After the utility inspects and approves the installation, your system is authorized to operate, and credits begin appearing on your bills.

For a broader overview of the paperwork involved, see Solar Net Metering Requirements: What You Need to Qualify (Step-by-Step). If you want to understand how the numbers on your statement are calculated, Solar Net Metering Bill Example PDF: How to Read Yours Step by Step walks through a sample bill line by line.

Checking Your Credits Each Billing Cycle

Read your bill with three numbers in mind: kilowatt-hours imported from the grid, kilowatt-hours exported, and the resulting net balance. Compare the export figure to what your inverter or monitoring app reports for the same period. Small differences are normal because meters and inverters measure on different schedules, but large gaps usually point to a configuration problem or a meter that has not been upgraded.

What to check Where to find it What a mismatch may mean
Exported kWh BGE bill and online account Meter not set to record exports
Generated kWh Inverter monitoring app Shading, soiling, or equipment fault
Carried-forward credit Bill summary section Rollover not applied as expected

If the numbers do not reconcile, contact BGE and your installer with the relevant bill and monitoring data. Keep records of your interconnection approval and any meter-change work orders.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Energizing the system before BGE approval, which can delay or void your interconnection.
  • Assuming the old meter records exports. Many homes need a new bidirectional meter first.
  • Ignoring the monitoring app. It is the fastest way to spot a drop in production.
  • Upsizing the system without updating the interconnection application.
  • Overlooking the year-end credit rules, which determine what happens to any leftover balance.

FAQ

Do I need a new meter for BGE solar net metering?

Often yes. BGE may need to install a meter that can record power flowing in both directions. Confirm with the utility during the interconnection review.

How long does approval usually take?

Timelines vary with the utility’s workload and how complete your application is. A correct, complete submission generally moves faster than one that needs revisions.

Can I add panels later?

Yes, but you should notify BGE and update your interconnection application before expanding the array. Adding capacity without approval can cause problems with your agreement.

Conclusion

BGE solar net metering rewards you for the power your panels send to the grid, provided the system is approved and metered correctly. Work through the interconnection steps in order, and check your bills against your monitoring data every cycle. Consult a licensed electrician or your installer before making any electrical changes to your home.

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Ethan Brooks

About Ethan Brooks

Ethan Brooks is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our home solar guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.