Resources > Solar incentives and financing in DC

Solar incentives and financing in DC

• Factsheet

May 23, 2024

There are several types of financial incentives available that can help you go solar. This section primarily covers the solar incentives available in DC, but you can learn more about national solar incentives here.

D.C. SRECs

Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) are an incentive designed to encourage solar adoption. The District has a valuable SREC market. SREC demand remains high due to the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Amendment Act, which expanded DC’s renewable energy target to 100% by 2032. Included in this RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standard) was a 10% “carve out” for locally-based solar by 2041. In December 2022, Solar United Neighbors helped pass the Local Solar Expansion Amendment Act, which increased the local solar carve-out to 15% by 2041!

You can find the most up-to-date SREC market prices and Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP) levels through 2041 at SRECTrade.com and Flett Exchange. This blog article describes more about the ACP, which sets the ceiling for SREC prices, and highlights the current phase-down schedule for the ACP.

Since SRECs are valuable in DC, many installers with their pricing will offer to buy a certain number of years of your SRECS (for example 5 years) for a certain amount off your upfront purchase price when you go solar.

Discounted SREC Pricing

Solar United Neighbors has secured discounted SREC pricing for co-op participants and Solar United Neighbors Members (supporting, annual, and lifetime) based in DC. Solar United Neighbors does not receive financial compensation from these offerings and is currently pursuing additional SREC offerings with other brokers.

Current Offerings

Sol Systems

• 50% discount on SREC brokerage fee
• Available for anyone using Solar United Neighbors programs and services
• Please contact Sol Systems for more information about this offering at info@solsystems.com.

Solar Financing

D.C. PACE

D.C. does not have legislation that allows for residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs. However, commercial PACE is available. All commercial properties, including office space, multi-family, industrial, institutional, and retail properties, are eligible. The program is run by Urban Ingenuity on behalf of the District Department of Energy and the Environment. D.C. PACE offers 100% financing with up to a 20-year payback period. This financing applies to projects for energy efficiency, water, and renewable energy improvements to the property.

CLEER: Also known as Commercial Loan for Energy Efficiency and Renewables Program, this program provides clean energy possibilities for projects in existing buildings in the District. The program has financed projects with upwards of $2 million in funding, resulting in energy savings for customers of more than $80,000. Learn more here.

Navigator: This loan funds customized energy improvement designs for new and existing commercial and multifamily properties. The program adopts an unsecured line of credit model and allows residents to pursue energy-efficient upgrades with great ease. Learn more here.