Solar in District of Columbia: is it worth it in 2026?
District of Columbia is one of the best places in the country to own solar. Three things decide that: electricity prices rank 12th of 51, its sun ranks 24th, and exported power earns full retail credit. Of the 51 states and DC, District of Columbia has the 7th-fastest payback for a typical home.
The average home here pays about $140 a month for 639 kWh. A 5 kW system sized for that home would knock about $1,525 off the first year's bills, 91% of the total.
Checked November 12, 2026
What makes solar pay off in District of Columbia
- Size the system to cover your yearly use. With full net metering, power you export is worth as much as power you use, so timing matters less than in most states.
- The price per watt decides it. At 21.9¢ per kWh, the price per watt matters as much as the sun. At $3.34 per watt, the high end of what companies quote, payback for a typical system here stretches to 11 years.
Payback by system size
An average District of Columbia home uses about 7,668 kWh a year. Here's how systems sized to cover part or all of that work out, bought with cash at $2.57 per watt:
| Covers | Size | Price | Makes a year | Payback | 25-year savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54% | 3 kW | $7,710 | 4,173 kWh | 8 years | $18,918 |
| 73% | 4 kW | $10,280 | 5,564 kWh | 8 years | $26,099 |
| 100% | 5.5 kW | $14,135 | 7,651 kWh | 8 years | $36,870 |
| 127% | 7 kW | $17,990 | 9,737 kWh | 10 years | $39,509 |
The 3 kW system pays back fastest, but the 7 kW system saves the most over 25 years. Assumes exported power earns full credit, prices rise 2.5% a year and one inverter replacement.
How District of Columbia credits power you send to the grid
Full credit (net metering)
Full retail net metering.
Before you sign in District of Columbia
Check the license. Look the company up with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, by its legal name or license number, and ask for the electrician's license number too.
District of Columbia has no solar-specific sales law that we know of, so its general consumer protection law applies.
In every state, the FTC Cooling-Off Rule lets you cancel a contract signed at your home until midnight of the third business day.
How to choose a solar company · Contract checklist · Before you sign
District of Columbia compared with its neighbors
| State | Electricity | kWh per kW | Typical payback | Exported power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 21.9¢ | 1,391 | 8 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| Maryland | 19.5¢ | 1,392 | 9 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| Virginia | 15.3¢ | 1,427 | 11 years | Full credit (net metering) |
Questions about solar in District of Columbia
How long does solar take to pay for itself in District of Columbia?
About 8 years for a typical 5 kW system bought with cash at the 2026 median price of $2.57 per watt, with no federal tax credit and one inverter replacement. A bigger or smaller system, a different price, or your own usage will change that; the table above shows other sizes.
Does District of Columbia have net metering?
Yes. Full retail net metering.
Is there a solar tax credit in District of Columbia in 2026?
Not from the federal government for buyers: the 30% homeowner credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. For a typical 5 kW system in District of Columbia, that credit was worth about $3,855 and brought payback down to 6 years, instead of 8 years now. Leasing companies can still claim a business credit, so ask for a lease or PPA price too. Your state energy office lists any state rebates.
Is a solar battery worth it in District of Columbia?
Not for savings. District of Columbia credits exported power at the full retail rate, and storing power in a battery loses about 10% of it, so a battery saves nothing on the bill. It can still be worth it for backup during outages: a 13.5 kWh battery costs about $15,650 installed in 2026.
Is plug-in solar legal in District of Columbia?
Not yet. A bill (B26-0602 (GRID Act)) is pending: in committee.
How do I check a solar company's license in District of Columbia?
Look the company up with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (mylicense.eglc.dc.gov) by its legal name or license number, and ask for the electrician's license too.
More guides: What changed for solar in 2026 · Lease or buy? · Plug-in solar · Is my solar system working?
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), final 2025 data: Annual State Historical Spreadsheets (Form EIA-861, released October 7, 2026) and Electric Power Annual (October 21, 2026); NREL PVWatts (National Solar Radiation Database), statewide averages; Solar Energy Nerds: net metering by state, 2026; Solar.com: Plug-in solar, the 2026 guide; EnergySage: median quoted price, first half of 2026.