Is plug-in solar legal in District of Columbia?
Bill moving Not yet. A bill (B26-0602) is still moving in District of Columbia.
Before the D.C. Council. Without a dedicated law, a kit that sends power into your home wiring counts as a grid connection under your utility’s rules for rooftop solar. That usually means an interconnection application, and some utilities charge fees or require a licensed installer.
What you can do today:
- Ask your utility whether it has a simplified process for systems under 1,000 W. A few do.
- Use solar without touching the grid: a power station charged by portable panels is legal everywhere, including in a rental.
- Watch the bill. District of Columbia’s bill is B26-0602. We update this page when anything changes.
What a kit would save in District of Columbia
| Kit size | Solar per year | Saved per year |
|---|---|---|
| 400 W | 401 kWh | $88 |
| 800 W | 801 kWh | $177 |
| 1,200 W | 1,202 kWh | $265 |
Panels on a south-facing balcony railing, District of Columbia’s average sunshine (NREL PVWatts, state average), today’s price of 26.0¢/kWh, and 85% of the output used at home. Run it for your ZIP code.
See every state’s plug-in solar status, or electricity prices and other rules in District of Columbia.