Plug-In Solar in Washington D.C. — Legislation Pending
Bill: B26-0602 — GRID Act — Grid Resilience and Independence through Distributed Energy Act
Sponsor: Councilmember Charles Allen
Legislative Status: Introduced in DC Council. In Committee on Transportation and the Environment. No committee vote yet.
Current Status: In DC Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment (2026)
Is Plug-In Solar Legal in Washington D.C.?
Washington D.C. has active plug-in solar legislation under B26-0602, currently in committee, but it has not been enacted. Before installing or connecting equipment, confirm current utility or interconnection rules, local code or permit requirements, property or lease conditions, outlet and electrical suitability, and the equipment listing and manufacturer instructions.
Last Updated: March 2026
Key Information
| Average Electricity Rate | 17.2¢/kWh |
| Estimated Annual Savings | $205/year |
| TOU Rate Spread | 7¢/kWh |
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.3 |
| Retail Choice | full |
Key Provisions
Would exempt balcony solar from interconnection requirements. Specifically designed for apartment and condo residents in DC.
Law Provisions
| Effective Date | Not specified in bill text |
| Wattage Limit | 1,200 watts |
| UL 3700 | not_mentioned — UL or equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory certification required |
| HOA Provision | Not addressed in the bill text. |
| Renter Provision | Not addressed in the bill text. |
| Utility Approval | Waived |
| Permit Required | Not addressed |
| Backfeed/Net Metering | Not explicitly addressed. |
| Key Differences | B26-0602 would make Washington D.C. the first non-state jurisdiction to legalize plug-in solar. D.C. has a high percentage of renters and apartment dwellers who could benefit from plug-in solar. |
| Notable Omissions | Does not address HOA restrictions, renter rights, net metering, or building permits. |
What You Can Do
If passed: DC apartment residents could self-install without Pepco approval.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
Law not yet enacted. Pepco currently requires interconnection agreements.
Available Rebates & Incentives
DC SREC market: earn and sell Solar Renewable Energy Certificates for each MWh generated (DC SRECs trade at a premium due to DC's RPS requirements). Net metering available through Pepco. DC solar property tax exemption available. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.
Incentive Program Links
- DC SREC Program — DOEE — Earn and sell SRECs for each MWh of solar generation; DC SRECs trade at a premium.
- DSIRE — Washington DC Solar Incentives — Full list of DC solar incentive programs.
Demographics (US Census 2023)
| Population | 671,803 |
| Total Households | 305,000 |
| Owner-Occupied | 105,000 |
| Renter-Occupied | 200,000 |
| Single-Family Homes | 80,000 |
| Apartment Units (5+) | 145,000 |
| Median Household Income | $90,842 |
| Median Home Value | $618,000 |
Solar Resource Data (NREL PVWatts)
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.3 |
| Optimal Tilt Angle | 38° |
| Optimal Azimuth | Due South (180°) |
| Est. Annual kWh (800W system) | 1032 kWh |
| Best Solar Months | April–September |
Major Utilities
| Utility | Customers | Net Metering |
|---|---|---|
| Pepco (Potomac Electric Power Company) | ~300,000 customers | Yes |
News Coverage
- 28 states and DC could legalize 'balcony solar' — Planetizen (February 2026)
- Balcony solar is taking state legislatures by storm — Canary Media (February 2026)
Explore Your Next Steps in Washington D.C.
Use these tools and guides alongside the state-specific rules above to evaluate your space, potential savings, and the right connection approach.
- Compare every state — Return to the national tracker to compare enacted laws, pending bills, and unclear jurisdictions.
- Check your DC setup readiness — Review placement, outlet, property, and state-rule questions before choosing equipment.
- Estimate savings in Washington D.C. — Use your location and setup assumptions to estimate bill savings and storage value.
- Follow the national legislation picture — See how pending proposals compare with enacted plug-in solar frameworks in other states.