Maryland’s Capital City Subscribes 65 Municipal Accounts to Community Solar, Offsetting Over 4 Million kWh Annually and Demonstrating Public Sector Leadership in Clean Energy
ANNAPOLIS, MD - The City of Annapolis announced it has subscribed 65 municipal utility accounts to Community Solar projects, marking a significant expansion of the capital city’s renewable energy commitment. These accounts use just over 4,000,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually at a cost of approximately $700,000. The city receives a cost discount on energy credits generated by the solar installations. Annapolis is among the first municipalities in the state to join a Community Solar program under the recent permanent framework. The move builds on the city’s existing renewable energy portfolio, including rooftop installations, solar parking canopies, and a 50-acre solar park.
“This project helps Annapolis meet its energy goals, and further pushes our interests of establishing more solar in the state of Maryland and greening our grid,” said Dylan Laconich, Environmental Programs Manager for the City of Annapolis.
Clean Energy Production
The environmental impact of Annapolis’ adopting Community Solar is substantial. The 4 million kilowatt-hours of clean solar energy will offset an average of 2,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. This is equivalent to removing about 550 passenger vehicles from Maryland roads each year, or the amount of CO2 absorbed by 119,000 trees every year.
These reductions directly support Maryland’s ambitious climate goals, which include achieving 100% clean electricity by 2035 and reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Annapolis’ participation sends a powerful signal about the role municipalities can play in achieving these targets. The city’s accounts will be connected to the NCBP Seven LLC rooftop Community Solar project in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, supporting local solar operations.
Community Solar: Accessible Renewable Energy for All
Community Solar programs allow multiple subscribers (residents, businesses, and public entities) to benefit from shared solar installations without placing panels on their own property or dedicating limited city space to another solar array. Participants receive credits on their utility bills for the clean energy generated, at a discounted rate. This model democratizes access to renewable energy, particularly benefiting those with unsuitable roofs, leased facilities, or limited capital for on-site installation.
Maryland’s Community Solar program began as a pilot in 2015 and became permanent in January 2025. The current program removed capacity caps, increased project sizes, and strengthened support for low-to-moderate income participants. This has opened significant new opportunities for cities, towns, and school districts to participate in the state’s clean energy transition.
Comprehensive Evaluation Process
The city’s path to Community Solar required a thorough evaluation involving multiple departments. Resilience and Sustainability staff worked with the city’s central services, legal and finance departments to assess the program’s benefits, operational requirements, and compatibility with municipal financial processes. Solar On Earth, a Community Solar specialist, guided the city through this comprehensive review process and connected Annapolis with other jurisdictions across the country that had successfully implemented similar programs. Of the 83 utility accounts the city submitted for consideration, 65 were accepted by Pivot Energy, Solar On Earth’s development partner.
Setting an Example for Maryland Municipalities
Annapolis’ participation in Community Solar reflects its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, outlined in the 2010 Community Action Plan developed by the Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs (which has since been folded into other departments). That plan identified multiple pathways for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including decarbonizing the grid and expanding renewable energy access.
“When the City's Community Action Plan (CAP) was completed in 2010, solar energy options were not as developed and accessible as they are in 2026,” Laconich noted. “But solar energy is compatible with the City's CAP. The city is in the process of renewing the goals laid out in the Community Action Plan as part of its new Climate Action plan.”
“Annapolis just took another big step toward a cleaner, more resilient future with its new Community Solar agreement,” said Annapolis Mayor Jared Littmann. “By expanding access to locally produced clean energy, we are cutting greenhouse gas emissions, lowering energy costs for our City, and making real progress toward our net-zero commitments under Maryland’s climate goals. Innovative projects like this are how a historic city like Annapolis does its part to confront climate change while strengthening our grid and sharing in the benefits of the clean energy transition.”
As an early adopter among Maryland municipalities, Annapolis provides a model for other cities and towns considering Community Solar, demonstrating that public entities can successfully navigate the process and realize both environmental and financial benefits. By adopting off-site solar on a warehouse, the City has not only reduced greenhouse gas emissions, but has preserved greenspace in its own community. The Resilience and Sustainability staff leads the city’s commitment to sustainability, reducing carbon emissions and enhancing community resilience, aligning with its Community Action Plan.
About Solar On Earth
Solar On Earth specializes in connecting customers with Community Solar opportunities across multiple states. The company works with municipalities, businesses, and residents to navigate the subscription process and identify appropriate Community Solar projects that align with their energy usage patterns and sustainability goals.
