Solar panel program helps Baltimore homeowners save money

Mar 11, 2025

William Gibson is much happier looking at his BGE bill these days.

"Last month? Right here, $43.97," Gibson said. "Can't beat that with a stick!"

While most people are seeing higher BGE bills, Gibson's is a fraction of what it was back in 2022.

"About that time, my electric bill was, in the winter, somewhere between $300 and $400," Gibson said. "I'm on a fixed income and kind of wanted to save a little money."

Gibson signed up for the Baltimore Shines program. It's a partnership between Civic Works and Baltimore City's Department of Housing and Community Development. It's a chance for low and moderate income households to get free solar installations on their roof maintained by Civic Works for 20 years free of charge. It's all to help cut carbon emissions and cut rising energy bills.

"People are letting us know that it's a conversation in the community, and this is one of the ways where you can transform that not only now, but over the long term," said Melvin Brennan, the director of Energy Programs at Civic Works. "Over the next couple of decades, the type of savings, what people are going from, a certain cost in their bill to 50% less or even more, can be within people's grasp if they give us a call."

So far 18 households have free solar installations thanks to the Baltimore Shines program. With an increase in funding, Civic Works wants to give free solar installations to 170 more homes in 2025. They're not just giving away solar panels. They're also teaching people how to install them through their paid job training program.

"We want to make sure that people have a living, sustainable career in the green industry and that they're also able to be employed," said Victor Walters, the associate director of Outreach and Intake at Civic Works.

It's a chance for career opportunities and an opportunity to save.

"There's no downside," Gibson said. "The electric bill goes down. I save money. "

Click here to learn more about the Baltimore Shines program and how to apply.