Everything You Need to Know About Installing Solar Panels on your Home

Welcome to Your Washington DC Solar Guide!

Why Go Solar?

In a nutshell, solar panels are installed on the roof a property to generate clean electricity. The electricity coming from the panels will go directly to your home to help power any appliances you may have running. Any amount of power that you generated and didn't use will exit your utility meter, rolling it backwards, giving you a credit with the utility to use later at night, or show up as $$ credit on your bill that rolls over from month to month.

People like jumping straight to the questions, but which are also discussed in more detail in the sections below…

How many solar panels fit on my roof? For that you would need to get a site assessment completed by a solar installer to be sure. Every roof is different, but what we see is anywhere between 15 to 30 solar panels in most cases.
How many solar panels will I need? That depends on how many fit on your roof and how much power you consume throughout the year. Your installer will ask to see your electric bill before preparing your solar quote to see your annual consumption.
How much electricity will one solar panel produce for me? What we have seen in DC, using a 370-watt solar panel, installed south facing at a 15 degree angle, that solar panel will produce roughly $50 of electricity per year.
How much does a system cost? THAT is hard to explain easily because there are two solar incentives to go over in more detail to find out your net out of pocket cost. And people can either buy a system or lease one. But think about it this way, your simple pack period on your investment when buying the panels in DC is roughly 5-7 years, for a system warrantied for 25 years!

CONCLUSION

Solar panels really do work, and the technology is so legitimate that it is being used by our military, our power companies, and cities across the world are investing millions into it. Washington DC has the best incentives in the nation to go solar, for now, thanks to the strong support of the DC Council and Mayor. This has provided the option for absolutely everyone to go solar, no matter if you have upfront cash to buy a system, or no cash at all. Either method makes common sense. So read up, and join the energy revolution today. Show that no matter what, YOU will do your part to save our environment, promote green jobs, and make our city and nation a more cleaner and sustainable place.

Costs of Going Solar

Purchase vs Lease

Under this section we will cover the average cost of going solar in Washington DC, and what a solar lease is and how it works.

Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC's)

What are SREC's, and how does this incentive in Washington DC help cover the costs of my solar PV system?

26% Federal Investment Tax Credit

All solar PV purchases in 2021 and 2022 qualify for a federal Investment Tax Credit of 30% on the gross cost of a solar PV system. The tax credit was set to expire in 2023, but under Biden's Inflation reduction Act, the tax credit has been extended at 30% for 10 additional years.

Solar Education

How Exactly Does Solar Photovoltaics Work?

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Solar Lease

Whats the Difference Between a kW and a kWh?

How do panels generate electricity from light? How can it be used in your home? Solar panels and solar Installation in Washington.

Whats the Difference Between a kW and a kWh?

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Solar Lease

Whats the Difference Between a kW and a kWh?

This is confusing to everyone; solar PV sizes are in kW's, but measuring energy is in kWh's, what the heck is the difference?!

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Solar Lease

How is Pepco Involved, and What is Net-Metering?

Does a solar lease make most common sense financially for you? Find out the advantages and disadvantages of leasing here.

How is Pepco Involved, and What is Net-Metering?

What Risks May be Associated with Installation of Panels

How is Pepco Involved, and What is Net-Metering?

What is Net-Metering? Where does my solar energy get stored? All Pepco related information can be found here.

Different Types and Technology of Solar Panels

What Risks May be Associated with Installation of Panels

What different solar technologies and panels are available and whats best for me?

What Risks May be Associated with Installation of Panels

Does installing solar on your old roof sound scary? Hear the risks associated and if/how a solar installation would effect your home.

Warranties

Different Types of Installation

Solar Project Timeline

What warranty information is the most important to look at when shopping for solar?

Solar Project Timeline

Different Types of Installation

Solar Project Timeline

How long does a solar project take? Take a closer look to know what to expect.

Different Types of Installation

Depending on your roof, different installation techniques can be used. Identify your roof to know how panels will be installed on it.

Local Solar Installers

Different Types of Installation

We have compiled a list of local solar installers and their online ratings.

FAQs

Local Solar Installers

FAQs

You have questions, we have answers. Displayed here are the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.

Contact Us

Thanks for everyone who has helped contribute to this page with their knowledge and content.

If you are an installer who wants to be added to the list of local installers let us know!

Are you a DC resident with an in stalled solar system and want to share information, a testimonial, recommendations, or pictures about your install? Let us know!

Are you interested in installing solar and have a question you didn't find on this page contact us!

Do you have any additional information you think we should have listed here?

Everything You Need to Know About Installing Solar Panels on your Home

Why Go Solar?

Costs of Going Solar

Purchase vs Lease

Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC's)

26% Federal Investment Tax Credit

Solar Education

How Exactly Does Solar Photovoltaics Work?

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Solar Lease

Whats the Difference Between a kW and a kWh?

Whats the Difference Between a kW and a kWh?

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Solar Lease

Whats the Difference Between a kW and a kWh?

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Solar Lease

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Solar Lease

How is Pepco Involved, and What is Net-Metering?

How is Pepco Involved, and What is Net-Metering?

What Risks May be Associated with Installation of Panels

How is Pepco Involved, and What is Net-Metering?

Different Types and Technology of Solar Panels

What Risks May be Associated with Installation of Panels

What Risks May be Associated with Installation of Panels

What Risks May be Associated with Installation of Panels

What Risks May be Associated with Installation of Panels

What Risks May be Associated with Installation of Panels

Warranties

Different Types of Installation

Solar Project Timeline

Solar Project Timeline

Different Types of Installation

Solar Project Timeline

Different Types of Installation

Different Types of Installation

Different Types of Installation

Local Solar Installers

Local Solar Installers

Different Types of Installation

FAQs

Local Solar Installers

FAQs

Residential Projects Gallery

Commercial Projects Gallery

Contact Us

Help Contribute to This Page!

Thanks for everyone who has helped contribute to this page with their knowledge and content.

Guide to Go Solar in Washington DC

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