What if you could cut your Pepco bill by about half with no upfront cost? If you live in Washington, D.C., Solar for All may help you do just that. This guide explains who qualifies, what you can receive as a renter or homeowner, how to apply, and what to expect along the way. Let’s dive in.
Solar for All at a glance
Solar for All is a District Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) program that brings solar savings to income-qualified households through two paths: no-cost rooftop installations where feasible and community solar bill credits for everyone else. You can review the program overview on DOEE’s Solar for All page.
The District’s goal is to deliver solar benefits to 100,000 households by 2032. Typical savings are about $400 to $500 per year, depending on your usage and the path you take. You can explore the program background on the DOEE program summary.
Who qualifies in D.C.
Income eligibility
You may qualify if your household income is at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). DOEE also recognizes certain assistance programs for automatic income verification, such as LIHEAP, SNAP, TANF, SSI, and Housing Choice Vouchers. See federal guidance on program-based verification in the program-based qualification rules.
Owners, renters, and building types
- Single-family or small buildings (generally up to 4 units) that are individually metered may be eligible for a no-cost rooftop system. Start with the DCSEU Solar for All application.
- Renters, condo owners, and residents in larger or shared-roof buildings typically receive community solar credits through a Community Renewable Energy Facility. You will need a Pepco account in your name. Learn more via the DCSEU multifamily and renter portal.
Other checks that affect eligibility
- Your electric service must be with Pepco for credits to appear on your bill.
- If your home already has a solar system installed or you have signed a solar contract, you will not be eligible for a new Solar for All rooftop installation. Details appear in the DCSEU single-family application guidance.
What you receive
Community solar credits
If you subscribe to a community solar project through Solar for All, your Pepco bill is designed to drop by about 50% for a set period. DOEE’s subscription terms provide credits for 15 years for many community solar projects. Review the specifics in DOEE’s subscription terms.
No-cost rooftop installations
For eligible single-family homes, the program installs a rooftop system at no cost to you. These systems are sized to offset a significant portion of your usage and are expected to produce for around 20 years, subject to permitting and interconnection. See the process steps in the DCSEU single-family program.
What you do not receive
Participants do not receive federal tax credits, Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), or other environmental attribute payments from Solar for All projects. Those benefits remain with the program to fund long-term operations. DOEE outlines these rules in the Solar for All terms.
How to apply
Start here
- Homeowners seeking rooftop systems: Apply through the DCSEU Solar for All portal.
- Renters and residents seeking community solar credits: Apply through DOEE’s community solar application page.
Documents checklist
Have these ready to speed up verification:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Social Security cards for household members
- Most recent Pepco bill
- Proof of income for each working household member (paystubs or tax return)
- If using program-based qualification, a benefits statement such as LIHEAP, SNAP, TANF, SSI, or Housing Choice Voucher
You can find document details in the DCSEU application guidance.
Timeline and what to expect
- After you apply, DCSEU typically follows up within about 5 business days for single-family applicants and will schedule a site walkthrough to confirm rooftop feasibility. If your roof is not a fit, you can be offered a community solar enrollment.
- For community solar, credits may take several months to appear on your Pepco bill. DOEE and DCSEU note onboarding can take about 4 to 9 months from approval. See timing notes in the DCSEU multifamily and renter portal.
Expectations, delays, and consumer tips
- Pepco bill crediting history: District agencies have taken enforcement action over past billing and crediting problems in community solar. If credits do not appear or look incomplete, contact DOEE or DCSEU and follow up with Pepco. Read the District’s enforcement action against Pepco for background.
- Program intake can pause: At times, parts of the single-family rollout have been waitlisted or paused due to budget or planning. Check the latest status on DOEE’s Solar for All page and DCSEU’s portal. Local partners have also noted phased deployments and prioritization, as seen in this program update summary.
- Federal funding context: DOEE announced an EPA award to expand Solar for All in 2024 and 2025. Nationally, the EPA later announced cancellation of the overarching Solar for All grant program in August 2025, and litigation is ongoing. For context, see DOEE’s award announcement and the EPA’s Solar for All program page, and check DOEE for the latest local enrollment updates.
- Use official channels only: Avoid unsolicited door-to-door or phone pitches claiming free solar or special Pepco deals. Apply directly through DOEE or DCSEU. For help, contact the DOEE Solar for All hotline at (202) 299-5271 or [email protected], or DCSEU at (202) 479-2222.
Is Solar for All a fit for you?
Solar for All is a strong option if you live in D.C., have Pepco service, and your household income is at or below 80% AMI. Homeowners with suitable roofs can seek a no-cost installation; renters and condo owners typically benefit through community solar credits. If you prefer claiming tax credits or SRECs directly, this program will not provide those, so weigh your goals and timing.
If you are planning a move and want to understand how solar benefits, utility costs, or rooftop suitability might factor into a purchase or sale, let’s talk. For steady, process-driven guidance across the D.C. metro housing market, connect with Dewey Reeves.
FAQs
What is D.C.’s Solar for All and how does it work?
- It is a DOEE program that provides no-cost rooftop installations for eligible single-family homes and community solar bill credits for other income-qualified households; savings typically average about $400 to $500 per year and community credits often target about 50% bill reductions.
Who qualifies for Solar for All in Washington, D.C.?
- Households at or below 80% of Area Median Income may qualify; many who receive LIHEAP, SNAP, TANF, SSI, or Housing Choice Vouchers can qualify using those benefits as income proof, and Pepco service is required for bill credits.
Can D.C. renters receive Solar for All benefits?
- Yes, renters and condo owners typically enroll in community solar and receive monthly bill credits; you will need a Pepco account in your name to receive credits.
How long will I receive Solar for All credits?
- Community solar credits are provided for many projects for 15 years under DOEE’s subscription terms; rooftop systems are expected to produce offsets for around 20 years when installed through the single-family pathway.
How long until credits show on my Pepco bill?
- DOEE and DCSEU note onboarding can take several months; credits commonly appear about 4 to 9 months after approval.
Do Solar for All participants get federal tax credits or SRECs?
- No, tax credits and SRECs are not provided to participants under program rules; those benefits stay with the program to support operations.
What if my home already has rooftop solar?
- Homes with an existing system or a signed solar contract are not eligible for a new Solar for All rooftop installation; contact DOEE or DCSEU to discuss your situation and whether community solar is appropriate.
