One of the newest reasons to go green has to do with one of the oldest meanings of the word.  No, not green with envy, but green with cold hard cash.  Yes, believe it or not, uber-expensive PV solar power systems make economic sense for the residential user - at least in certain counties in Maryland.   

Let’s review the incentives: 

GRANT from Maryland State based on the installed kW of the PV system - up to a maximum of $10,000, although realistically, most residential-sized systems will get closer to $5,000.

Up to 30% of the PV system cost - TAX CREDIT from the Federal Government.  

Up to $5000 PROPERTY TAX CREDIT from Howard County, Maryland.  A similar credit is also available in Montgomery, P.G. Counties.  Anne Arundel and Harford counties also have programs.  Details on all can be found at http://www.energy.state.md.us/incentives/residential/CountyIncentives.asp.    

Then, we have the Maryland Net Metering Law requiring that the power company credit you at market rates for any excess electricity that you generate if your system is grid tied.  In the case of my small system, this is probably not much, because I use most of what I generate on an average day.  But, at least I know that none of the power I generate will go to waste, and it sure is fun to watch that meter spin backwards!