Power solutions in Washington, DC

We provide comprehensive solar solutions for the District including pre-built residential solar kits optimized for DC rowhouse rooftops (3–8kW systems), high-efficiency panels with maximum power density per square foot for space-constrained urban roofs, Enphase microinverters for panel-level optimization in DC's shading-heavy environment, compact battery storage systems designed for rowhouse basements and utility closets, and commercial-scale installations from 10kW to 200kW+ for DC's office buildings, nonprofits, multifamily properties, and institutional facilities.

Our residential kits include everything needed for a DC installation: high-efficiency monocrystalline panels (all-black options for historic districts), Enphase microinverters optimized for partial-shading conditions, low-profile racking systems that minimize visual impact, weather-rated wiring and disconnects, NEC 2020 rapid shutdown systems (required by DCRA), comprehensive monitoring for tracking both production and SREC generation, and detailed installation guides. PowerLink-certified contractors throughout the District handle professional installation with DCRA permits, Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) coordination where required, Pepco interconnection, SREC registration with the DC PSC, and Solar for All qualification screening handled completely.

Federal Incentives (All Customers):

• 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) through 2032—covers solar panels, battery storage, and installation costs
• DC rowhouse example: $18,000 system – $5,400 tax credit = $12,600 net cost before SRECs and other DC incentives

DC Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)—the District's most powerful incentive:

• Every 1,000 kWh your system produces generates 1 SREC that can be sold on the open market
• DC SRECs trade at $300–$400+—the highest value in the nation, far exceeding Maryland, New Jersey, and all other SREC markets
• Typical 5–6kW DC rowhouse system generates 5–7 SRECs annually, worth $1,500–$2,800+ per year in additional income
• SREC revenue is earned annually for 15 years (the standard contract period), potentially generating $25,000–$40,000+ in total SREC income from a single residential system
• DC's 100% Renewable Portfolio Standard by 2032 sustains high SREC demand and supports premium pricing

Additional DC Programs:

• DC sales tax exemption on solar equipment—saves 6% on your entire system cost
• DC property tax exemption—solar installation doesn't increase your property assessment
• Net metering with Pepco—full retail rate credit for excess production, banked monthly
• Solar for All program—free or heavily subsidized solar installations for income-qualified DC residents (up to 80% of Area Median Income), including renters through community solar. Funded by the Renewable Energy Development Fund
• DC Green Bank—low-interest financing for solar and energy efficiency improvements
• DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU)—additional rebates and technical assistance for energy efficiency measures that complement solar installation

Commercial & Nonprofit Incentives:

• Federal 30% ITC (for tax-paying entities) or PPA/lease structures (for nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations)
• MACRS accelerated depreciation (5-year, 85% cost recovery within 6 years for commercial)
• DC SRECs—commercial systems generate proportionally more SRECs and income
• DC sales tax exemption and property tax exemption
• Combined incentives typically recover 65–85% of commercial system costs within 5–6 years

The combined DC incentive stack is unmatched nationally. A typical DC rowhouse owner installing a $18,000 system sees: $5,400 federal tax credit (30%), $1,080 saved in DC sales tax exemption (6%), $1,020+/year in Pepco bill savings, and $2,100+/year in SREC income. Net system cost after federal credit: ~$12,600. Annual return: ~$3,120. Payback period: approximately 4–5 years. Lifetime return (25 years): $65,000+. No other solar market in America delivers these economics.

Most solar orders ship to Washington, DC within 48 hours for in-stock items. Our logistics network ensures reliable delivery to the District, with most shipments arriving within 2–4 business days from order confirmation—DC's position on the I-95 corridor provides excellent logistics connectivity.

Typical delivery timeline to DC:

• Residential solar kits (panels, microinverters, racking): 2–4 business days
• Battery storage systems (Powerwall, Enphase, Franklin): 3–6 business days
• Low-profile racking and rowhouse-specific mounting: 2–4 business days
• Commercial equipment orders (bulk panels, string inverters): 4–8 business days

PowerLink members receive priority processing and expedited shipping options—many DC contractors receive materials in 48–72 hours. DC's mild climate allows productive installation year-round, with the most favorable rooftop working conditions from March through November. Urban installation logistics require additional planning—DCRA permitting (typically 2–4 weeks), Pepco interconnection applications, street parking permits for equipment staging, and coordination with building management for commercial properties. We recommend starting the permitting process while materials are in transit to minimize project timeline. For Solar for All-qualified installations, we support contractors with expedited material fulfillment to meet program deadlines.

PES does not offer direct installation services, but through our PowerLink network, we have established partnerships with skilled contractors who ensure each installation is done with precision, professionalism, and a focus on long-term reliability—particularly critical in the District where compact urban rooftops, historic district requirements, shared party wall structures, complex shading environments, and stringent DCRA permitting demand specialized expertise and meticulous craftsmanship.

PowerLink contractors serving Washington, DC are familiar with:

• DCRA (Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs) solar permit requirements and expedited review processes
• Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) coordination for installations in Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, and other designated historic districts—including aesthetic requirements, visibility restrictions, and panel color/profile specifications
• Pepco interconnection procedures, net metering enrollment, and grid-tie standards specific to the District
• DC PSC SREC registration and Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS) enrollment to ensure homeowners receive full SREC revenue from day one
• Solar for All program qualification screening, application support, and compliance documentation
• Rowhouse-specific installation expertise: party wall considerations, limited roof access logistics, compact system design, fire setback requirements, and low-profile racking for attached structures
• Microinverter optimization for DC's partial-shading environments—maximizing production and SREC generation on constrained urban rooftops
• Commercial flat-roof mounting, ballasted systems, and structural engineering for the District's diverse commercial building stock
• NABCEP certifications and continuing education

Washington, DC offers exceptional solar financing options—enhanced by the District's unmatched incentive stack that dramatically reduces the amount that needs to be financed:

Residential Financing Options:

• Cash purchase with 30% federal tax credit + DC SREC income—best total return. Typical 4–5 year payback with $65,000+ lifetime returns
• DC Green Bank low-interest loans—specifically designed for DC clean energy installations with favorable terms and streamlined approval
• Solar loans (secured and unsecured) with terms from 5–25 years, typical rates 4.99–7.99% APR—monthly payments often less than current Pepco bills, especially when SREC income is factored in
• Home equity loans or HELOCs—DC's high property values provide substantial equity access, and solar adds measurable resale value in the District's environmentally-conscious real estate market
• Solar for All program—free solar installations for income-qualified DC residents (household income up to 80% of Area Median Income), including renters through community solar subscriptions. Zero out-of-pocket cost with guaranteed savings

Commercial & Nonprofit Financing Options:

• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)—essential for nonprofits and tax-exempt organizations that cannot directly utilize federal tax credits. Third-party owns the system, sells electricity to the building at below-Pepco rates, and claims the ITC and depreciation
• Commercial equipment loans leveraging ITC + MACRS depreciation
• DC Green Bank commercial financing
• C-PACER (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing for qualifying properties
• Sale-leaseback arrangements optimizing tax benefits

DC solar financing is uniquely attractive because SREC income effectively creates a second revenue stream beyond electricity savings. Many DC homeowners who finance their systems find that combined Pepco bill savings ($85–$120/month) plus SREC income ($150–$230/month) exceed their loan payments from day one—achieving immediate positive cash flow. For Solar for All-qualified households, the program eliminates financing entirely with zero-cost installation and guaranteed monthly savings. No other market in America offers this combination of accessible financing, immediate cash flow, and long-term returns.

DC rowhouses are excellent candidates for solar—and the majority of residential installations in the District are on rowhouses. While the roof area is smaller than a detached suburban home, high-efficiency panels and microinverter technology allow DC rowhouse systems to generate impressive output and substantial SREC income from compact rooftops.

DC Rowhouse Solar Facts:

• Typical rowhouse system size: 4–6 kW (10–15 panels) on a south, east, or west-facing roof section
• Annual production: 5,200–7,800 kWh from a well-designed rowhouse system—enough to offset 60–85% of typical consumption
• Annual SREC income: $1,500–$3,200+ from a rowhouse system—this revenue stream alone can cover a significant portion of system payments
• Enphase microinverters are the standard for DC rowhouses—panel-level optimization ensures that shading from adjacent chimneys, parapets, and dormers affects only the individual shaded panel, not the entire system
• Low-profile flush-mount racking minimizes visual impact—panels typically add only 3–4 inches above the existing roof surface
• Flat-roof rowhouses (common in many DC neighborhoods) use ballasted mounting systems with no roof penetrations required

Historic District Installations:

• Solar is permitted in DC historic districts—the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) have established clear guidelines for solar installations on designated historic properties
• Key requirements typically include: panels must not be visible from the primary public right-of-way (street-facing), all-black panels and frames are strongly preferred, low-profile mounting is required, and equipment must not alter the historic character of the structure
• Rear-facing and non-street-visible roof sections are generally approved with minimal review
• Staff-level review (faster) is available for installations that clearly meet the established guidelines; full HPRB hearing is required only for unusual or highly visible proposals
• Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, U Street, and other designated districts all have successful residential solar installations—the process is well-established and our PowerLink contractors navigate it routinely

Rowhouse-Specific Design Considerations:

Our system designs account for the unique aspects of DC rowhouse installation: party wall fire setback requirements (panels must maintain clearance from shared walls per DCFD requirements), limited roof access requiring careful equipment staging and sometimes crane placement, parapet walls that may create shading at certain times of day, and the structural loading capacity of various rowhouse roof construction types from historic timber framing to modern reinforced construction. A thorough site assessment identifies the optimal panel placement, equipment location, and wiring path for each individual property—maximizing production, SREC revenue, and visual compatibility.