Whats the D.C. Solar Solution Program?

The D.C. Solar Solution Program is an initiative is to install rooftop solar panels at no upfront cost on properties located in the District of Columbia. This is possible with strong incentives available from the US and Washington DC governments to support reaching energy resiliency, independence, and reduce our carbon emissions. 

Who Pays for it?

There are two incentives available in Washington DC. The first is a federal incentive available nationwide, and its a 30% tax credit on the cost of the solar system. The second incentive is DC based, and called Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC's). SREC's is an incentive that is funded by the DC's RPS Act (below) and claimed over a long period of time (until 2041). But SREC's can also be cashed in upfront to pay for your solar installation. The D.C. Solar Solution Program is backed by financing to pay upfront for the solar install costs, in exchange it will handle all the incentives to provide property owners a zero cost solution upfront. 

Whats the RPS bill in DC?

 Officially known as the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Act of 2004, established that is power companies wanted to sell power in the District, a percentage of it must be produced within Washington DC and produced by solar energy.

2022 UPDATE: D.C. Law 24-314. Local Solar Expansion Amendment Act of 2022 was passed amending the RPS Act of 2004 to increase the local solar carve-out from 10% to 15% by 2041, to adjust the phase-down of the alternative compliance payment for local solar, to direct a portion of the funds collected from the alternative compliance payment each year to provide supplemental funding to the District's low-income ratepayer relief fund and programming to increase the number of low-income ratepayers participating in the District's energy affordability programs.

How will Solar Panels Benefit Me?

A residential solar system in D.C. can eliminate on average 80% of utility power usage. That means that you are now producing most of your electricity on-site, vs buying it from Pepco. You will still be connected to the grid to send any excess power your produce and don't use to Pepco to have your account credited for that power. And at night when you are not producing power, you can use those credits, or buy power from Pepco.

Do I Qualify for this Program?

Most homeowners qualify for this program. Contact the contractor, Solar Solution, below to find out. For those that don't qualify for 100% electricity, can also join the program to get a no-cost system installed on their roof. What the homeowner may have to pay for is the electricity the panels produce, except at a rate that is fixed and priced 50%-70% lower than current standard utility rate by Pepco. The D.C. Solar Solution program has a target goal of installing 8,000 residential projects, representing only 5% of single family homes in the District.