Residents in Cecil County, MD who request quotes on the EnergySage Marketplace spend an average of $301 monthly on electricity. That adds up to $3,612 per year. A different way to look at it is that a typical Cecil County, MD resident uses 1,413 kWh of electricity per month and 16,956 kWh over the year.
(For what it’s worth: Cecil County, MD residents shopping for solar on EnergySage may use more electricity than a typical household.)
The easiest way to compare electricity costs across regions is to look at the electricity rate. In the U.S., residential rates generally range from 11 ¢/kWh all the way up to 34 ¢/kWh.
As of February 2026, the cost of electricity in Cecil County, MD is 21 ¢/kilowatt-hour (kWh)—roughly 7% higher than the national average cost. That number is based on real-world electric bills shared with EnergySage over the past 12 months. You can compare that number to the most recent average state electric price reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
There are four major electricity companies in Maryland that deliver electricity via transmission and distribution: Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO), Potomac Edison, Delmarva Power and Light, and Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE). All are Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs).
Some cities and small towns in Maryland are powered by Municipal Light Departments or cooperatives, such as Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO). These are nonprofits or customer-owned, so they don't follow the same regulations as IOUs. If you are a municipality, check what solar programs are available, as they may differ from those offered by an IOU.
Maryland has a deregulated energy market, meaning you can’t choose your utility, but you might save money by choosing a retail energy company. Before signing up for a third-party provider, compare the advertised rates to your utility’s rate to make sure you’re actually getting a deal.
You can also save money through a municipal electric aggregation, if available in your area. It won’t change your utility company, but you can participate in a group-buying program to get a lower electricity rate than what the utility charges.
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When you pay your electric bill, you’re not only covering the costs to produce that electricity, but also the costs of running and maintaining the electrical grid, as well as public benefit funds that promote things like renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Electric bill costs are rolled into fixed (monthly customer charges) and variable charges (¢/kWh that you use).
Fixed charges, like the flat fee for having a meter, generally remain the same monthly unless your utility makes a policy update.
Your variable charges will change every month and depend on your electricity rate and how much electricity you use.
Your electric bill's variable charges will include a supply (or generation) charge and a transmission and distribution (or delivery) charge. The supply charge covers the cost of electricity generation, while the transmission and distribution charges cover the cost of delivering it to your home.
Most utility customers in Maryland pay a set rate for each kWh of energy used. Rates can vary over time but remain steady throughout the day. Some utility companies offer variable-rate plans, such as time-of-use (TOU) rates or demand charges.
How clean is the electricity in Maryland?
Maryland’s electric grid only uses about 7% of renewable energy sources as of September 2025, according to the EIA. The remaining electricity is powered by natural gas (48%), nuclear energy (43%), coal (1.5%), and petroleum (0.5%). So, if you choose to install solar in Maryland, you’re supporting a more sustainable energy future in the state.
Depending on your utility company or retail supplier, you may have the option to pay a fee for a portion or all of your usage that is powered by renewable sources. This is a great alternative if your home isn't a good fit for solar, or it’s not in your budget.
As long as you have a suitable roof, one of the surest ways to save on energy is to go solar—ideally with a vetted contractor offering a competitive price.
Solar panels will reduce or even eliminate your electric bills in the short term and protect you against rising electricity costs in the long run, too. The amount you save depends on how much you spend on electricity now and how much of your electric bill you can offset with solar energy.
Solar panels are a big investment, but Cecil County, MD homeowners who install them—and pay upfront—break even after an average of just 10.76 years. Then, the solar panels will continue to produce free electricity for years to come.
Does Maryland offer net metering?
You don’t need constant sunshine to get the most out of your solar panels, but when your system produces more electricity than your home needs, the excess isn’t wasted.
The major utilities in Maryland (PEPCO, Potomac Edison, Delmarva, and BGE) offer net metering. With this solar buyback program, you can send it to the grid and earn credits toward your utility bill. Instead of paying out of pocket, the utility uses your credits for payment until they run out.
Net metering in Maryland has a few details to keep in mind, including that your credits are calculated in kWh instead of dollars. While the credits might pay for your usage, you’ll still have to pay for other utility fees (like meter connection).
At the “true-up” reconciliation date in April, you can roll any remaining credits forward indefinitely or get paid in cash, though the payout is at a rate lower than how much you pay for electricity.
How much can you save with solar?
The Old Line State has pricey electric rates and some solid solar incentives. This means big savings when you go solar in Cecil County, MD.
Just take a look at how much you'll spend on electricity over time based on your current bill. It’s easy to see how going solar can pay off quickly.
Electricity cost over time in Maryland
Current monthly electric bill | 10-year electricity cost | 20-year electricity cost | 30-year electricity cost |
|---|---|---|---|
$50 | $6,800 | $16,000 | $28,000 |
$100 | $14,000 | $32,000 | $56,000 |
$150 | $21,000 | $48,000 | $84,000 |
$200 | $27,000 | $64,000 | $110,000 |
$250 | $34,000 | $80,000 | $140,000 |
Assuming a 3% annual increase based on inflation and average annual electric rate increases in Maryland.
Let's assume you pay $301 for electricity monthly (the Cecil County, MD average) and that electricity prices increase by 3% annually. Let's also assume you buy your solar panel system upfront and that it costs you $32,000 before any available incentives.
In the first year with solar, you'll avoid spending $3,600 on electric bills. Over five years, you'll avoid $19,100; by 10 years, you'll have avoided $41,200. Solar panels are usually covered under warranty for 25 years—by then, you'll have avoided spending $129,800 on electric bills in Cecil County, MD.
The average payback period in Cecil County, MD is 10.76 years, so by this point, you've already broken even on your investment. When you subtract your upfront installation cost, you'll pocket $97,900 over 25 years with solar.
Your solar savings depend on you
How much your utility company charges for electricity is a big indicator of how much you'll save with solar. But your exact solar savings depend on your unique situation—including your energy usage, roof layout, system size, and how you pay for your system.
Here are some reasons your savings could be below average:
You don’t use much electricity, or your roof is small or has a less-than-ideal layout. You might have a relatively long payback period, so you'll save a little less over time.
You don't install enough solar panels to 100% offset your energy use. You’ll pay less up front but save less in the long run.
You finance your solar panel system with a loan or sign a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) instead of paying up front. These types of arrangements can make a lot of sense for keeping your capital flexible and will allow you to start saving sooner. But they will cut into your long-term savings.
Choosing a high-quality solar installer is the key to getting a top-notch solar panel system that will help you save on electric bills.
We pre-screen all solar companies on EnergySage to ensure they get the job done right. Here are the highest-rated EnergySage installers in Cecil County, MD:
- Elite+ InstallerScreened & Verified5.0 /5.0151 Reviews
- Elite+ InstallerScreened & Verified4.8 /5.0362 Reviews
- Elite InstallerScreened & Verified4.9 /5.0122 Reviews
- Elite InstallerScreened & Verified4.5 /5.0525 Reviews
- Approved InstallerScreened & Verified4.7 /5.0624 Reviews
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