There can be solar tax credits and incentives available at the federal, state and local levels. The calculator above will show you the value of all incentives your home is eligible for.
Washington D.C. now has the nation’s most aggressive Renewable Portfolio Standard, and a nice solar carve-out to boot. That means the district requires utilities here to source a huge chunk of their electric mix from renewable energy sources, like the solar panels on your rooftop.
If you’re lucky enough to own any kind of property here with a view of the sun (south, east, or west-facing), it makes a lot of sense to connect with installers who can turn keys to make your installation happen. There are also new low and moderate income programs for solar energy here that are second to none.
Read on to learn all you need to know about investing in home solar power in Washington D.C.
Learn what solar incentives are available to District of Columbia homeowners
See what District of Columbia solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
Find out how much these incentives and/or District of Columbia solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in District of Columbia
If you install your photovoltaic system before the end of 2032, the federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 30% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor, and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 30% = $6,000.
The federal tax credit falls to 26% starting in 2033.
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
Net Metering requires your utility to monitor how much energy your solar power system produces and how much energy you actually consume, and make sure you get credit for the surplus.
Pepco (D.C.’s only electric utility) offers a standard net metering contract to all residential customers. For all systems under 100 kW, all surplus electricity is credited to your next bill at the full retail rate. Surplus may be carried over indefinitely. All that is superb, and net metering is very strong for residential customers here.
Unfortunately, Washington D.C. no longer offers any cash rebates to people who purchase solar panels. There are still a few nice incentives available in the District, though.
First established in 2016, Washington D.C.’s Solar For All Program has a goal of bringing the benefits of solar to 100,000 low- and moderate-income households by the year 2032.
The program provides community solar shares to homeowners and renters who are at 80% of area median income or below, currently around $100k for a family of 4. The program promises a 50% reduction in utility bills over a 15-year subscription.
For more information about the program, visit the program manager’s website, the D.C. Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), an independent non-profit utility, and overseen by the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE).
As this is a community solar program, you don’t even need to have a property with solar panels on it to qualify for this program. You simply see if you’re eligible, and enroll to get your solar shares at an offsite facility which then credits your utility bills over the next 15 years.
In addition to creating electricity, your solar panels create solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs). SRECs are proof of the green value of electricity, and your utility company can buy them from you to avoid hefty alternative compliance fees from the local government for not meeting their clean energy goals.
Since the solar energy carve out of the RPS is so strong in DC, the alternative compliance fees are relatively high. Therefore, SREC prices here are around $400 per SREC. If you have a 6kW system, you can generate about 8 of them a year and sell them for cool $3,100 over the first year.
Until the state’s solar carve out is met, you can expect a similar amount annually over the 15 year term of your SREC sale agreement ! For this 6kW solar system example, your cumulative SREC profits can amount to roughly $35,000. That’s a huge reward as a solar panel owner in Washington DC.
We can stand up and applaud that the District gives you a 100% property tax exemption on all that extra home value you get from your solar power.
Showing data for:
Prices based on a 10.2kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
9 solar companies in District of Columbia provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.92 339 Reviews
Lisa, 3 days ago
Everything went very smoothly from the initial consultation to installation. Our house is close to 5000 ft.² and we are running to in-home businesses. Even with an extra six people including four of us for part of the summer, our electric bill never was more than $15 a month. Peter was extremely professional, helpful and friendly!
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Lisa, 3 days ago
Everything went very smoothly from the initial consultation to installation. Our house is close to 5000 ft.² and we are running to in-home businesses. Even with an extra six people including four of us for part of the summer, our electric bill never was more than $15 a month. Peter was extremely professional, helpful and friendly!
4.19 35 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
Borrego Solar sold off their residential business. The people that they sold it to have folded. No one responds to my inquires about system warranty service. Up a $35000.00 creek without a paddle it seems.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$42,750 ($8.55 per watt)
Anonymous, over 1 month
Borrego Solar sold off their residential business. The people that they sold it to have folded. No one responds to my inquires about system warranty service. Up a $35000.00 creek without a paddle it seems.
4.18 28 Reviews
Steve Buehler, over 1 month
IPSun did a great job designing and installing my solar array and battery backup system. From beginning to end the process was pretty seamless. The installers were courteous and knowledgeable and answered all my questions throughout the installation process. If I could do it all over again, I would go with a larger battery system as you lose about 30% of the capacity for reserve per the warranty recommendations for Enphase. The ability to go off grid with the battery backup is amazing. Overall I'm very happy with the system and it has been great to see my electric bills at zero (except for the minimum connection charge for being on the grid).
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Steve Buehler, over 1 month
IPSun did a great job designing and installing my solar array and battery backup system. From beginning to end the process was pretty seamless. The installers were courteous and knowledgeable and answered all my questions throughout the installation process. If I could do it all over again, I would go with a larger battery system as you lose about 30% of the capacity for reserve per the warranty recommendations for Enphase. The ability to go off grid with the battery backup is amazing. Overall I'm very happy with the system and it has been great to see my electric bills at zero (except for the minimum connection charge for being on the grid).
4.17 9 Reviews
Donte , over 1 month
I am definitely glad I chose to work with circa energy for my solar system! The wonderful family based company truly helped explain every aspect and even went the extra mile to make my solar transition perfect. Very personable and great customer service! Thanks Chip and Elena!!!
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Donte , over 1 month
I am definitely glad I chose to work with circa energy for my solar system! The wonderful family based company truly helped explain every aspect and even went the extra mile to make my solar transition perfect. Very personable and great customer service! Thanks Chip and Elena!!!
4.17 4 Reviews
Will.Brett21, over 1 month
Installation went really well. My Project Co-ordinator Fred communicated with me on weekly basis at every step to confirm I knew what's going on with my project and what was next. I've been very happy with my choice for solar installation.
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Will.Brett21, over 1 month
Installation went really well. My Project Co-ordinator Fred communicated with me on weekly basis at every step to confirm I knew what's going on with my project and what was next. I've been very happy with my choice for solar installation.
3.75 1 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
This is a reputable company. Rep Brian Gonzalez made the whole process smooth and hassle-free. I'm very happy with my solar panels and enjoying a $9 a month power bill.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$24,800 ($4.96 per watt)
Anonymous, over 1 month
This is a reputable company. Rep Brian Gonzalez made the whole process smooth and hassle-free. I'm very happy with my solar panels and enjoying a $9 a month power bill.
3.75 1 Reviews
Robert Kilworth, over 1 month
With contractors having a reputation for being not being on time and finishing within a predetermined agreed time; Via Solar finished the work the work as promised, on time and was very fairly priced. They were even nice enough to call back a few weeks later to check on if we had any questions or needed any assistance with our new system.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$26,800 ($5.36 per watt)
Robert Kilworth, over 1 month
With contractors having a reputation for being not being on time and finishing within a predetermined agreed time; Via Solar finished the work the work as promised, on time and was very fairly priced. They were even nice enough to call back a few weeks later to check on if we had any questions or needed any assistance with our new system.
3.75 1 Reviews
Edward MacAllister, over 1 month
We've wanted to go solar for some time because of rising energy costs and environmental concerns, but hesitated because the process seemed complicated. Finally pulled the trigger late last year after Uprise patiently walked us through every step, explained every issue, and answered all of my questions. Financially speaking: it's a no-brainer with energy cost savings AND income from selling SRECs. And can't overstate how easy Uprise made the installation, dealing with the DC govt. and the SREC broker. Finally, Uprise is a locally owned and operated company, invest in DC!
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Edward MacAllister, over 1 month
We've wanted to go solar for some time because of rising energy costs and environmental concerns, but hesitated because the process seemed complicated. Finally pulled the trigger late last year after Uprise patiently walked us through every step, explained every issue, and answered all of my questions. Financially speaking: it's a no-brainer with energy cost savings AND income from selling SRECs. And can't overstate how easy Uprise made the installation, dealing with the DC govt. and the SREC broker. Finally, Uprise is a locally owned and operated company, invest in DC!
3.50 2 Reviews
S. McLaughlin, over 1 month
I am not only a Solar Solution customer but an actual neighbor to the owner. He appears to be knowledgeable about solar panels but after he spray painted his rowhouse in DC he also inadvertently covered my entire system with paint overspray. It has taken me almost 6 months and repeated contact with his company to get them to remove the paint from my system. His people have always treated me with professionalism. He, on the otherhand, lacks sound judgement and I would be concerned about doing business with him.
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S. McLaughlin, over 1 month
I am not only a Solar Solution customer but an actual neighbor to the owner. He appears to be knowledgeable about solar panels but after he spray painted his rowhouse in DC he also inadvertently covered my entire system with paint overspray. It has taken me almost 6 months and repeated contact with his company to get them to remove the paint from my system. His people have always treated me with professionalism. He, on the otherhand, lacks sound judgement and I would be concerned about doing business with him.