Plug-In Solar in Washington, DC
DC doesn't have a plug-in solar law at present. Under the GRID Act, homeowners and renters could plug in small solar kits without needing Pepco approval, and the bill is still in Council committee.
- No plug-in solar law in Washington, DC yetB26-0602
- Utility rules are in effect.There's no cap on plug-in wattage.
- 24.9 centsJan to Aug 2026: EIA average home price per kWh.
- Each year, $276.In Washington, an 800 W kit, before any utility solar fee.
You need approval from your electric utility before connecting in Washington, DC. The inverter has to carry a UL 1741 listing with anti-islanding, or a UL 3700 listing.
The B26-0602 Bill: What It Would Do
If enacted, B26-0602 Takes effect after Mayor approval and after a 30-day Congressional review and publication.
Safety listing: As introduced: the unit must satisfy the most recent National Electrical Code, hold certification from Underwriters Laboratories or another nationally recognized testing laboratory of equivalent standing, and include a feature that blocks it from energizing the wiring in the building while the power is out.
Utility approval: As introduced: the electric company is barred from requiring approval before a device gets installed or used.
Telling the utility: No notice step appears in the introduced text.
Fees: Under the introduced text, the electric company may not charge a fee related to the device or to extra controls or equipment.
Renters and landlords: According to the sponsor, homeowners or renters could put in plug-in systems and skip the rooftop approval process. The introduced text includes no separate rule for landlords.
Net metering: Under the introduced text, interconnection and net metering requirements don't apply to a portable solar device unless its owner chooses to sign an agreement for interconnection or net metering.
- Damage or injury caused by the device would not make the electric company liable.
- Most of the bill sets deadlines for Pepco's interconnection work on regular solar systems and speeds it up.
Today's Rule in Washington, DC
Hooking up: If you connect a small generator today, you must file an Interconnection Request with Pepco. That form is PSC-approved, and the rule comes from 15 DCMR Chapter 40. A Level 1 (inverter-based) request carries no application fee.
Net metering: It exists. Customer-generators that qualify and use renewable resources may join, and PSC rules in 15 DCMR Chapter 9 set the terms.
Kit Savings in Washington, DC
PVWatts shows 1,390 kWh a year for every 1 kW of panels in Washington, and households in Washington, DC pay 24.9 cents for each kWh in 2026 so far. For an 800 W kit, the result depends on where it goes:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 1,112 | $276 |
| Upright on a railing | 701 | $174 |
| Facing east or west | 890 | $221 |
Each Month in Washington
- Jan75
- Feb73
- Mar104
- Apr110
- May102
- Jun107
- Jul110
- Aug102
- Sep96
- Oct92
- Nov74
- Dec67
kWh made by an 800 W kit tilted south.
Kit Pricing for Washington, DC
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 1,640 | $408 | 2.2 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 500 | $124 | 3.3 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 1,112 | $276 | 4.0 years | $1,099 |
Tilted south, with all output used at home. Compare all kits
Things to Know in Washington, DC
- The District's utility is Pepco, yet retail providers sell most of the power. Energy-only providers sold 6.9 million MWh in 2023, measured against the District's 10.1 million MWh total.
- According to the sponsor, connecting small solar systems took Pepco 77 days on average last year. Plug-in kits would avoid that delay if the bill passes.
Do You Rent or Have a Balcony?
Who decides the mount? Your landlord or HOA. Who decides the hookup? Your electric utility. Read about balcony solar and apartment solar.
Key Utilities
- Pepco (Potomac Electric Power Company)
Next Steps for You in Washington, DC
- Choose your size: in Washington, a 400 W kit produces about 556 kWh a year, while a 1,200 W kit produces about 1,668 kWh. Try yours
- Keep an eye on B26-0602 during the next session. If it passes, you may no longer need the approval step.
Sources
- B26-0602 GRID Amendment Act of 2026 (DC Council LIMS)
- Bill text (B26-0602 Introduction)
- GRID Act, Councilmember Charles Allen
- 15 DCMR Chapter 40, Interconnection (DC PSC)
- 15 DCMR Chapter 9, Net Energy Metering (DC PSC)
- EIA State Electricity Profile tables, District of Columbia 2024
- EIA District of Columbia Electricity Profile 2023
- NREL PVWatts, Washington, plus EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 prices
Check every state at a glance, or look at a neighbor: Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania.