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- 1. What solar incentives are available in District Of Columbia?
- 2. Federal solar incentives
- 3. Local solar incentives
- 4. Can you claim multiple tax incentives in District Of Columbia?
- 5. Does District Of Columbia offer tax exemptions?
- 7. What is the best way to pay for solar?
- 8. Going solar doesn’t have to break the bank
What solar incentives are available in District Of Columbia?
As a homeowner in District Of Columbia, you have access to several different tax incentives that make solar panels more affordable. Solar incentives are available at both the federal and state levels to help you save thousands on your investment in solar energy.
Solar Calculator is here to help you take the next step in your transition to renewable energy. Below, we’ll discuss some of the different ways you can make solar more affordable.
Federal solar incentives
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, congress passed several clean energy provisions to reduce energy costs. Among those provisions was an extension and upgrade of the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC).
Federal Investment Tax Credit
The Federal ITC allows you to claim 30% of your total equipment and installation costs on your federal taxes. There is no minimum or maximum amount you can claim and it includes equipment, installation, permitting, and even battery storage.
The ITC will remain at 30% until December 31, 2032. After that it will be reduced to 26% until December 31, 2033, then to 22% the following year. The ITC is currently set to disappear in 2035 unless it is renewed.
Who is eligible for the Federal ITC?
Most homeowners will qualify for the Federal ITC, but not all. You must meet the following criteria to claim your 30% tax credit:
The Federal ITC will also cover the following expenses:
Homeowners save around $10,000 on average with the Federal ITC. But that number can be higher or lower depending on your total expenses.
How to claim the Federal ITC
Claiming your Federal ITC couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is fill out IRS form 5695 and submit it with your tax return. You can consult with a tax professional for more assistance.
Local solar incentives
Who’s eligible : Residential, Multifamily Residential
How to apply : DC law prohibits homeowners association, condominium owners association, or cooperative housing association from unreasonably prohibiting a member from installing a solar system on their roof. They may, however, establish reasonable guidelines, other than aesthetic guidelines, on the installation and use of a solar energy collection device for the purposes of preventing nuisance to other owners or members of the association.
Who’s eligible : Commercial, Schools, State Government
How to apply : Effective Sept. 21, 2022, DC has adopted the Clean Energy DC Building Code Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Law 24-177) which calls for the District to adopt an NZE building code that applies to the new construction or substantial improvement of any building subject to the Commercial Provisions of the DC Energy Conservation Code, including commercial buildings and residential buildings taller than 3 stories. Regulations for this law must be finalized by the Mayor by December 31, 2026. Currently the District has a voluntary Net Zero Building Code that will serve as the basis for the Net-Zero-Energy standard established by D.C. Law 24-177. The following information is background information on Green Building requirements in DC. The District of Columbia City Council enacted B16-515 on December 5, 2006, establishing green building standards for public buildings and privately-owned commercial buildings of 50,000 square feet or more. While many jurisdictions have adopted green building standards for public buildings, DC is among the first to make such requirements for privately-owned buildings. Subsequent legislation (the Healthy Schools Act of 2010) expanded provisions of the original law related to public schools and privately-owned educational facilities. The new standards are phased in over the course of several years with publicly-owned buildings being the first required to comply. All new construction and substantial improvements of non-residential District owned or District instrumentality owned projects which were initially funded in Fiscal Year 2008 or later must achieve LEED NC 2.2 or LEED CS 2.0 certification at the Silver level. Public Schools also are required to meet the requirements of LEED for Schools at the Certified level, or the equivalent under another green building rating system. To the extent that funding for construction or renovation is available public schools are required to meet LEED for Schools Gold level certification. And all public housing projects with 10,000 square feet of gross floor area or greater, will be required to fulfill or exceed the Green Communities 2006 standard or another equivalent standard. Starting January 1, 2009, all new construction or major renovations to non-residential, private buildings of 50,000 square feet or more must submit a green building checklist outlining green features that will be pursued. New construction and major renovations to non-residential privately owned buildings started after January 1, 2012 will need to be verified as having fulfilled or exceeded the LEED NC, LEED CS, or LEED for Schools standard at the Certified level. For private "educational facilities", the law contains an aspirational goal of LEED for Schools Gold level certification. The District currently offers expedited permitting for LEED Gold certified projects as an incentive for private sector innovation. In addition to the Green Building Requirements, in October 2008 D.C. enacted the Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008 (B17-492), which established energy benchmarking requirements for government and private buildings. Starting in the fall of 2009, all government buildings must be benchmarked using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Annual benchmarking for private buildings will be phased in over four years, starting on January 1, 2010. Public buildings' benchmarking will be completed by the start date for private buildings. The results will be made available to the public on the Internet through the District of Columbia Department of the Environment (DDOE) website.
Who’s eligible : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Institutional
How to apply : DC's interconnection rules apply to all distributed generation systems of 20 megawatts (MW) or smaller that are operated in parallel with the electric distribution system and are not subject to the interconnection requirements of the PJM Interconnection. The interconnection rules set four levels of review for interconnection requests. A project must meet all of the requirements of a given classification in order to be eligible for that level of expedited review. The level of review required is generally based on system capacity, whether system components are certified, and the type of distribution circuit to which a facility will be connected. The basic definitions* for each level are as follows: Level 1: Certified, inverter-based systems with a capacity rating of 20 kilowatts (kW) or less. Level 2: Certified systems with a capacity of 1-5 MW or less, depending on line capacity. Level 3: Only applies to systems that will not export power to the grid. Systems must have a capacity rating of 20 MW or less. Level 4: Systems with a capacity of 20 MW or less that do not meet the criteria for inclusion in a lower tier. The interconnection regulations generally use IEEE 1547 as a technical standard for evaluation of all levels of interconnection. Systems are considered to be lab-certified if the components have been evaluated by a nationally recognized testing laboratory as compliant with UL 1741 (inverters) and IEEE 1547.1. The rules specify the technical screens which may be applied to applications at each level of review and time limits for different stages of the evaluation process. Generally speaking, higher level applications are subject to more intensive screening and longer time limits. There are no fees for Level 1 interconnections. Facilities interconnecting after January 1, 2022 must include advanced inverters, if commercially available. History The PSC adopted net-metering rules in February 2005 for residential and commercial electric customers with renewable-energy systems, fuel cells, cogeneration and microturbines up to 100 kilowatts (kW) in capacity. In January 2007 the PSC approved a net-metering tariff filed by Pepco -- the only electric distribution company that serves the District -- which also contained certain technical standards for net metered facilities. Prior to this, in 2003, Pepco had filed an interconnection tariff to address larger qualifying facilities (QFs) under PURPA. In July 2006 the District of Columbia Public Service Commission (PSC) initiated a formal inquiry into the development of uniform interconnection procedures for on-site distributed generation systems. The PSC subsequently concluded that an interconnection standard was feasible and continued with the rule making process, culminating with the adoption of final interconnection regulations in February 2009 (DC PSC Order No. 15182). The PSC made changes to interconnection rules in 2019 and 2021. *The definitions here cover several important classification criteria; however, interested parties should consult the actual rule for more precise definitions and additional restrictions.
Who’s eligible : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, State Government, Multifamily Residential, Institutional
How to apply : Note: In 2010, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which has authority over mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, directed these enterprises against purchasing mortgages of homes with a PACE lien due to its senior status above a mortgage. Most residential PACE activities subsided following this directive; however, some residential PACE programs are now operating with loan loss reserve funds, appropriate disclosures, or other protections meant to address FHFA's concerns. Commercial PACE programs were not directly affected by FHFA’s actions, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do not underwrite commercial mortgages. Visit PACENation for more information about PACE financing and a comprehensive list of all PACE programs across the country. The District of Columbia offers a commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. PACE financing allows commercial and mulitfamily property owners in the district to borrow money to pay for energy improvements. The amount borrowed is typically repaid via a special assessment on the property over a period of years. In order to receive financing through the commercial PACE program, applicants must first have an energy efficiency audit performed on the property. The audit must show energy cost savings that can reasonably be expected to equal or exceed the cost of the improvements and interest on the loan. Reasonable costs of any energy audit may be included in the amount of the loan upon request by the applicant. In receiving a loan, the participant agrees to pay a special assessment on the property, collected in the same manner as real property taxes, for the purpose of repaying the loan. The special assessment constitutes a lien on the property senior to all other liens except real property taxes, with similar penalties for non-payment. During the application process the applicant must certify that such an assessment does not violate any existing lender agreements. A special assessment being collected as a result of an energy efficiency loan may remain attached to the property upon its sale. The seller of the property is required to inform the buyer of the existence of the assessment; however, failure of disclosure does not relieve the buyer of the obligation to pay the assessment. For rental dwellings, participant property owners which pass on the cost of the assessment (i.e., the cost of energy efficiency improvements) to tenants are also required to pass on the value of the energy savings. Properties applying for PACE financing : must be located within the District of Columbia must not be in default, or have a history of default, on mortgage or property payments cannot have a combined debt limit of 90% of current value (including PACE financing) must have primary mortgage holders give written consent to take a secondary position to PACE loan in cases of default. The program will provide financing for projects costing between $250,000 and $10,000,000; larger and smaller projects will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The term of the repayment is up to 20 years. The Mayor is permitted to authorize the issuance of up to $250 million in bonds to fund the program. The National Capital Energy Fund has been created to serve as the destination of bond proceeds, as well as other federal funding such as Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants (EECGBs), which may become available to support the program. As of October 1, 2021, the DC PACE program has transitioned to the DC Green Bank. History In April 2010 the District of Columbia City Council enacted legislation providing for the creation of a PACE energy efficiency financing program within the District for residential, commercial, industrial, and other real property. The authorizing legislation describes a wide variety of energy efficiency improvement projects eligible under the program, such as insulation, building envelope improvements, HVAC system upgrades, and lighting. The law also permits PACE loans to be used to finance renewable energy projects (details not specified), as well as any other “modification, installation, retrofit, or remodeling approved as an electric or gas utility cost-savings measure”. Eligible Property Types: Non-profit and special Use Industrial Institutional Multifamily Commercial office/retail Eligible Project Types: Soft costs Storm water retention Water conservation Lighting and controls HVAC systems Envelope improvements Renewables and generation
Who’s eligible : Commercial, Construction, Industrial, Local Government, Residential, Schools, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential, Integrators
How to apply : In January 2005, the District of Columbia (D.C.) Council enacted a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) with a solar carve-out that applies to all retail electricity sales in the District. In October 2008 the RPS was amended by the Clean and Affordable Energy Act (CAEA) of 2008. Significantly, this legislation increased the percentage and number of benchmarks that utilities must meet, included solar water heating as an eligible technology, increased the alternative compliance payment and amended reporting requirements. The solar requirements began in 2007 at 0.005% of retail electricity sales and increase annually towards an ultimate target of 2.50% solar by 2023. Notably, both solar-electric and solar thermal resources are eligible for the solar carve-out. Under D.C. law, a solar renewable energy credit (SREC), is equivalent to one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity derived from an eligible solar resource. Electricity suppliers must purchase SRECs in order to meet their compliance obligations under the law, or pay a Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP) for any shortfalls in SREC purchases. The SACP operates as a ceiling on the price that a supplier would pay for SRECs used for compliance with the D.C. RPS. The SACP is set at a flat rate of $500 per MWh for 2016 -2023, $400 per MWh for 2024 - 2028, $300 per MWh for 2029 - 2041, and $100 per MWh for 2042 and thereafter. The value of an SREC varies based on market conditions. In D.C., net metering customers retain ownership of SRECs (or RECs) unless they agree to transfer them. A generator remains eligible to generate SRECs for as long as the facility remains certified as an eligible generator. SRECs have a three-year lifetime from the date they are created. In other words, an SREC may generally be used (i.e., retired) for compliance by an obligated electricity supplier for up to three years after the date it is created. An obligated entity may use an SREC to comply with the solar carve-out of the RPS or with the general renewables requirement. As of September 2014, total of 1,174 solar PV, 74 solar thermal system inside D.C. and 2,239 solar energy systems outside of D.C. were eligible to meet the city’s RPS requirement. In order to begin producing D.C.-eligible SRECs, generators must be certified by the D.C. Public Service Commission (PSC) as an eligible generator. In order to qualify as an eligible generator, solar facilities must be located within the District of Columbia or in locations served by a distribution feeder serving the District of Columbia. SRECs generated by solar energy facilities that were certified by the PSC prior to February 1, 2011, are excluded from this requirement and are allowed to be used to meet the RPS solar requirement.* When the generator has been issued a certification number, they may create an account with the PJM GATS. The PJM GATS is used to track the generation and transfer of SRECs from an eligible facility. SRECs are created in the GATS based on energy production meter readings uploaded to the system by the generator. Solar PV facilities of 10 kilowatts (kW) or less and solar thermal facilities which produce or displace less than 10,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year are permitted to use an engineering estimate to generate SRECs rather metered generation data. SRECs are awarded to Solar Thermal based on their kWh savings at the ratio 3,412 BTUs = 1kWh. Solar thermal systems or collectors must be certified by the SRCC in order to qualify for the standard.** Background Amendments made in 2010 by D.C. Law 18-0223 have clarified the eligibility of solar thermal facilities located within the District, and geographic eligibility of renewable (including solar) resources in general. Further amendments were made by D.C. Law 18-0303 in March 2011 to clarify the certification requirements for non-residential solar thermal systems. In August of 2011, the RPS was further amended by both the Emergency Distributed Generation Amendment Act of 2011 (B19-0384), and the Distributed Generation Amendment Act (B19-10), which increased the solar carve out from 0.4% to 2.50% by 2023. Following a Congressional Review Period, The Distributed Generation Amendment Act became D.C. Law 19-36 on October 20, 2011. The changes resulting from before mentioned legislation are reflected in the D.C. Code § 34-1432. * Prior to D.C. Law 19-36, eligible generator solar facilities were allowed to be located within the PJM Interconnection region or a state adjacent to the PJM Interconnections region. This portion of the law was amended by D.C. Law 18-0223 in July 2010 to remove confusing language pertaining to RECs associated with electricity delivered into the PJM Interconnection region from an adjacent control area. These terms are defined in greater detail in the rules adopted by the PSC. ** This portion of the law was amended on a by D.C. Law 18-0303 in March 2011 to revise language associated with certification requirements for non-residential solar thermal systems. The prior wording of the law required all non-residential solar thermal systems to be SRCC certified without making a distinction between the collectors (i.e., SRCC OG-100) and the system (i.e., SRCC OG-300). The revised language makes this distinction, clearing the way for non-residential systems to be certified as eligible for the standard.
Can you claim multiple tax incentives in District Of Columbia?
Yes. You are allowed to claim multiple solar incentives for the same installation. However, you can only claim each incentive once. For more guidance on how to claim your solar tax incentives, talk to your installer or consult with a licensed tax professional before submitting your tax forms.
Does District Of Columbia offer tax exemptions?
Solar/Wind Access Policy
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website :
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Energy Standards for Public Buildings
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://doee.dc.gov/service/greenbuilding
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Schools, State Government
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Interconnection
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Common/DCMR/RuleList.aspx?ChapterNum=15-40
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Institutional
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
PACE Financing
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://dcgreenbank.com/pace/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, State Government, Multifamily Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://dcpsc.org/Utility-Information/Electric/RPS.aspx
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Construction, Industrial, Local Government, Residential, Schools, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential, Integrators
Incentive Amount : Varies based on market conditions.
Implementing Sector : State
Renewables Portfolio Standard
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://dcpsc.org/Utility-Information/Electric/RPS.aspx
Applicable Sectors : Investor-Owned Utility, Retail Supplier
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Generation Disclosure
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://dcpsc.org/Orders-and-Regulations/PSC-Reports-to-the-DC-Council/Biennial-Report-on-Fuel-Mix.aspx
Applicable Sectors : Investor-Owned Utility, Municipal Utilities, Cooperative Utilities
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Rebate Program
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.dcseu.com/commercial-and-multifamily?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwpuajBhBpEiwA_ZtfhZbZMuNyzhFsRiUdhNNiQ6IdIsoO6OxenqXWmVSZ0e86rL8xN0fHbxoCewAQAvD_BwE
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : Instant Lighting from Participating Distributor Between $5 - $45 per tube/fixture. See distributor list and website for more information Lighting Incentives vary widely by lighting type and lumen count. See program website for complete offerings. HVAC Commercial Heat Pumps & Air Conditioning Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps, Small, Split: $300 - $450 Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps, Small, Single: $300 - $450 Large Commercial Air Source Heat Pumps: $500 - $650 Affordable Multifamily Heat Pumps & Air Conditioning Central Air Conditioners: $300 - $650 Air Source Heat Pump: $650 - $850 Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $550 - $1050 Smart Thermostat: $100 Refrigeration, Food, & Vending Equipment Reach-in Refrigerators: $75-225 standard, $110-340 small business Freezers: $100-350 standard, $150-525 small business Evaporation Fan Motors: $125/fan or motor standard, $175/fan or motor small business Add Doors for Reach-in Refrigerators or Freezers: $40/foot standard, $60/foot small business Strip Curtains, Walk-in Refrigeration or Freezers: $15/foot standard, $20/foot small business Continuous Covers, Reach-in Refrigeration or Freezers: $20/foot standard, $25/foot small business Spray Rinse Valve (≤ 1.0 GPM): $40 standard, $60 small business Vending Machine Controllers: $50 Plug-Load Occupancy Sensor: $20 Motors Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) 2-15hp: $150 per hp standard, $200/hp income-qualified. VFDs > 15hp: custom, see website Income Qualified Appliances Dehumidifier: $35 Refrigerator: $75 - $100 Clothes Dryer: $75 - $200 Clothes Washer: $75 - $100
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.dcseu.com/commercial-and-multifamily
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Federal Government, Multifamily Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount : Lighting Varies by equipment type. See website for details. Commercial Heat Pumps & Air Conditioning Air Source Heat Pumps, Small, Split: $300 - $450 Air Source Heat Pumps, Small, Single: $300 - $450 Large Air Source Heat Pumps: $500 - $650 Affordable Multifamily Heat Pumps & Air Conditioning Central Air Conditioning: $300 - $650 Air Source Heat Pump: $650 - $800 Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $500 - $1050 Thermostats Advanced Thermostat: $100 Refrigeration, Food, & Vending Equipment (Standard Rebates) ENERGY STAR Reach-in Refrigerators: $75 - $225 ENERGY STAR Freezers: $100 - $350 Evaporation Fan Motors: $125/fan or motor Add Doors for Reach-in Refrigerators or Freezers: $40/foot Strip Curtains, Walk-in Refrigeration or Freezers: $15/foot Continuous Covers, Reach-in Refrigeration or Freezers: $20/foot Spray Rinse Valve: $40 Vending Machine Controllers: $50 Plug-Load Occupancy Sensor: $20 Refrigeration, Food, & Vending Equipment (Small Business Rebates) ENERGY STAR Reach-in Refrigerators: $110 - $340 ENERGY STAR Freezers: $150 - $525 Evaporation Fan Motors: $175/fan or motor Add Doors for Reach-in Refrigerators or Freezers: $60/foot Strip Curtains, Walk-in Refrigeration or Freezers: $20/foot Continuous Covers, Reach-in Refrigeration or Freezers: $25/foot Spray Rinse Valve: $60 Motors Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) 2-15hp: $150 - $200/HP VFDs > 15hp: Custom Appliances dehumidifier: $35 Refrigerator: $75 - $100 clothes dryer: $75 - $200 Clothes Washer: $75 - $100 Electric Lawn Care Electric Riding Lawn Mower: $1,000 Off Electric Push Lawn Mower: $100 Off
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.dcseu.com/homes
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : Appliances Clothes Dryers: $75-$200 Clothes Washers: $75-$100 Refrigerators: $75-$100 Smart Thermostat: up to $50 Dehumidifiers: $35 Electric Push Mower: $75 Electric Riding Lawn Mower: $500 Heating and Cooling Air Source Heat Pumps: $375 - $700 Variable Speed (Ductless) Mini-Split Heat Pumps: $375 - $700 Central Air Conditioners: $250 - $375 Variable Speed Mini-Split Air Conditioners: $125 Smart Thermostat: $50 Heat Pump Water Heater: $600
Implementing Sector : Utility
Corporate Tax Credit
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/sections/47-1806.12.html
Applicable Sectors : Commercial
Incentive Amount : Conversion of Qualified Alternative Fueled Vehicles: 50% of equipment and labor costs, up to $19,000 per vehicle (no limit for unincorporated businesses) Alternative Fuel Infrastructure: 50% of equipment and labor costs, up to $10,000 (personal and unincorporated businesses; no limit for corporations)
Implementing Sector : State
Personal Tax Credit
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/sections/47-1806.12.html
Applicable Sectors : Residential
Incentive Amount : Conversion of Qualified Alternative Fueled Vehicles: 50% of equipment and labor costs, up to $19,000 per vehicle EVSE: 50% of equipment and labor costs, up to $1,000 Alternative Fuel Infrastructure: 50% of equipment and labor costs, up to $10,000
Implementing Sector : State
Net Metering
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://www.pepco.com/SmartEnergy/MyGreenPowerConnection/Pages/GettingStarted.aspx
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Community Solar Rules
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://www.pepco.com/SmartEnergy/MyGreenPowerConnection/Pages/DC/CommunitySolarResources.aspx
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Property Tax Incentive
Category : Financial Incentive
Website :
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Residential
Incentive Amount : 100% exemption
Implementing Sector : State
Green Power Purchasing
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : http://green.dc.gov/service/buy-green-power
Applicable Sectors : Local Government
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Personal Tax Exemption
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/titles/50/chapters/22/subchapters/I/
Applicable Sectors : Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Public Benefits Fund
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://www.dcseu.com/about
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Investor-Owned Utility, Municipal Utilities, Residential, Cooperative Utilities, Institutional
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Appliance/Equipment Efficiency Standards
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://appliance-standards.org/state-legislation/dc-2020-16-products
Applicable Sectors :
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Building Energy Code
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : http://www.energycodes.gov/adoption/states/washington-dc
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
What is the best way to pay for solar?
Cash payments
Paying cash upfront is easily the simplest and most cost-effective route — if you can afford it. It lets you maximize your total savings by avoiding interest rates and other fees. You also don’t have to worry about making monthly payments. But the downside is you have to spend a lot of cash at once which isn’t an option for everyone.
Pros
Cons
Financing
Financing solar panels is probably the most common payment method. You get to own the system — as opposed to leasing — but you don’t have to spend all your cash at once. And although you do have to pay interest, you can secure a fairly low interest rate as long you have good credit.
Pros
Cons
Solar leases and PPA agreements
If purchasing solar equipment isn’t an option for you, a lease or a PPA may be worth exploring. This is where you are essentially “renting” the equipment for a fixed rate each month. And although you don’t have ownership of your system, there are other benefits such as maintenance and servicing agreements.
Pros
Cons
Going solar doesn’t have to break the bank
Going solar is becoming more affordable than ever. And thanks to a variety of solar incentives in District Of Columbia, you can save thousands more on your investment.
Want to get an idea for what it will cost you to go solar? You can use our solar cost calculator to generate a customized estimate instantly. We take into consideration a wide range of criteria including location, electric bill, roof size, and other factors. Try it out today and start planning for your future.
