Best Solar Companies in Washington, D.C.

Best Washington, D.C., solar companies

Solar can be a big investment. Our goal is to highlight companies best equipped to meet most DCers’ energy needs.

How we chose the best solar companies in Washington, D.C.

We took a data-driven approach, informed by expert editors and considering the humid subtropical climate, to choose the best solar companies in Washington, D.C., based on the following key features and respective weightings:

• Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
• Warranty terms: 20%
• Equipment selection: 20%
• Financing and payment options: 20%

» MORE: Full methodology

We’ve talked to several Washingtonians who have already gone through the solar panel installation process. Here’s what Washington, D.C., residents should look out for when choosing a solar panel installation company. We’ll also touch on overall costs and ways to save with government incentives.

Solar panel costs in Washington, D.C.

A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $10,710 to $30,600 in Washington, D.C.

This doesn’t include an energy storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels: $7,000 to $18,000. A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or during outages. It’s worth considering if your area gets frequent blackouts or if you don’t opt into Washington’s net metering program.

System size is the other major solar cost factor. The average Washington, D.C., household needs a system with a capacity of 9.3 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset their electricity costs. Depending on how much energy you and your family use, you might need a smaller or larger one.

Average total solar installation costs by system size in Washington, D.C.

How can I pay for solar panels?

Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease. Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing is available through the DC Green Bank and is repaid through a special tax assessment on your property.

• Local programs: The District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility has a no-cost rooftop solar program for income-qualified households. The newly funded Solar for All program is supposed to make solar accessible to 100,000 low- to moderate-income households in the future.
• Solar loans work like any other type of loan. They have relatively low fixed interest rates. Once you pay it off, you own your system outright.
• Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt. A potential downside to leasing is that you won’t be eligible for the federal solar tax credit.

» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy

Is solar worth it in Washington, D.C.?

Solar panels are generally worth it in Washington, D.C., if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, Washington homeowners with solar panels can avoid $63,114 in total utility costs over 25 years.

The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 7 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).

Considering that Washington, D.C., averages 4.86 peak sun hours each day, switching to solar energy is also worth considering for its environmental benefits. However, since many homes in Washington have limited roof space or shading from trees, a thorough site assessment is crucial to determine if your roof is suitable for solar and to optimize panel placement.

We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house. Project Sunroof is a reliable online solar savings estimator.

Potential roof problems

As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels. This is an expensive and frustrating process.

» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?

How to find a reputable solar company in Washington, D.C.

In our experience, the best solar companies have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts. Here are some hiring tips.

• Check certifications: The Department of Energy & Environment keeps a list of renewable energy service providers. We also recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
• Read reviews: Avoid companies with recurring complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication.
• Compare costs: Get multiple solar quotes from different companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
• Ask questions: Do you need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if your system needs maintenance? If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.

Going solar in the U.S. capital

If your home is in a historic district, your solar installation might need approval from the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB). This often involves making sure that the panels don't significantly alter the building's historic character.

Residential solar panel incentives in Washington, D.C.

The 30% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is the best incentive for most Washington homeowners. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels. You can combine the ITC with local solar incentives in Washington, D.C., to maximize savings.

For instance, the District of Columbia Sustainable Energy Utility can help you save $35 to $5,000 on solar equipment or services. The newly funded Solar for All program is supposed to make solar accessible to 100,000 low- to moderate-income households.

There is also a property tax exemption. A solar property tax exemption means that — for tax purposes — the addition of a solar energy system won't result in an increase in your property's assessed value. Essentially, your property tax bill won't go up because your solar panels increase your home’s market value.

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach, which was informed by our expert editors, to choose the best solar companies. We prefer to recommend those with a longer time in business and a solid track record of reliability in Washington, D.C. For this guide, we objectively weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
We analyzed solar company reviews by verified solar customers to gauge real-world satisfaction. Companies with generally positive feedback on our site scored highest in this aspect. Those with the most 4- and 5-star reviews by verified Washington customers were given preference.

Warranties: 20%
A long warranty is important — it shows that a company stands behind its products and services. We compared companies on both equipment and craftsmanship warranty terms. All of our top picks for professional installation have warranties or production guarantees of at least 10 to 25 years.

Equipment selection: 20%
We evaluated each company’s selection of solar panels, storage batteries and inverters. Those with proprietary technology or a wide equipment selection from trusted brands ranked highest.

Financing and payment options: 20%
We gave preference to companies that offer multiple payment and financing options for transparent terms and conditions.

ConsumerAffairs Research Team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks:

1. Freedom Solar Power
2. CleanChoice Energy
3. ShopSolar