In 2018, four solar industry veterans came together in Baltimore with a shared frustration: homeowners throughout the Mid-Atlantic were getting sold solar, not served by it. CEO Michael Kirby, who had worked in solar since graduating college in 2009, co-founded Lumina Solar alongside Colin Gload, Zac Hare, and Ryan Cook with a combined 150+ years of solar experience between the founding and leadership team. They built the company from the ground up to fix what was broken—aggressive sales tactics, outsourced installations, and a customer experience that felt transactional rather than partnership-based. Starting in Baltimore and now serving Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington DC, Lumina Solar has completed over 6,000 solar installations in just seven years, establishing itself as one of the premier solar installers in the Mid-Atlantic region. The company’s rapid growth caught the attention of the Baltimore Business Journal, which recognized founder Michael Kirby as a candidate for its 40 Under 40 list within just two years of operation, and honored Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer Colin Gload in 2022. Lumina was also named to Solar Power World’s Top Solar Contractors list in 2023 and earned recognition as a Baltimore Sun Top Workplace. What sets this Baltimore solar installer apart is an unwavering commitment to transparency and quality. Every installation is performed by Lumina’s own employees—no subcontractors—and the team includes NABCEP-certified professionals who bring deep technical expertise to every project. The company became Maryland’s first certified Tesla Powerwall installer and continues to offer cutting-edge battery storage solutions alongside premium solar panels from manufacturers like REC and Enphase inverters. Lumina handles the entire process in-house, from custom system design and permitting to installation, utility coordination, and ongoing support through their Lumina Energy Services division. Baltimore homeowners and businesses benefit from working with a company that understands the region’s climate, local permitting processes, and state-specific solar incentives inside and out. The Mid-Atlantic’s strong solar rebate programs, SRECs, and property tax exemptions make going solar increasingly affordable, and Lumina’s team has built relationships with planning departments across the region to keep projects moving smoothly. The company offers flexible financing including cash purchase, loans, and power purchase agreements to make solar energy accessible to more homeowners. With over 1,000 five-star reviews across platforms, Lumina Solar has built its reputation on a simple premise: solar installation should be about partnership, not pressure. Their “Lumina 2.0 Solar Pledge” commits to offering better products, newer technology, and exceptional customer service, and the results speak for themselves—customers consistently praise the team’s responsiveness, technical knowledge, and willingness to customize solutions rather than sell one-size-fits-all systems.
Lumina Solar is a full-service solar installer based in Baltimore, Maryland, serving residential and commercial customers across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington DC. Founded in 2018, the company has completed over 6,000 solar panel installations with a team of NABCEP-certified professionals. Lumina provides complete solar energy solutions including system design, permitting, installation using only in-house crews, battery storage systems like Tesla Powerwall, and ongoing maintenance through Lumina Energy Services. The company offers roofing services for solar-equipped properties and provides flexible financing options including cash purchase, solar loans, and power purchase agreements.
IN-HOUSE INSTALLATION CREWS: Unlike many competitors who subcontract installation work, every Lumina solar system is installed by our own employees. Our NABCEP-certified installation teams have completed over 6,000 installations across the Mid-Atlantic, ensuring consistent quality, accountability, and craftsmanship that inspectors consistently praise.
DEEP LOCAL EXPERTISE: Built in Baltimore and serving the Mid-Atlantic exclusively since 2018, we understand regional climate patterns, local permitting processes, and state-specific solar incentives. Our team has established relationships with planning departments throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, and DC to keep your project moving efficiently.
NO-PRESSURE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE: Our founding team left the industry’s aggressive sales culture behind to build something better. We customize every system to your specific needs, answer technical questions in detail, and handle all paperwork, permits, and utility coordination. With over 1,000 five-star reviews, our customers consistently highlight our transparency and responsiveness.
Our platform connects homeowners with trusted installers in their area. See if you qualify.
