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Clean energy belongs to everyone.

With the potential to offset electricity costs by as much as $500 per year, it’s only right that clean, renewable solar energy be accessible to all District residents, regardless of income. That’s why we work with local contractors to design and install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at no cost to income-qualified District homeowners. Save money while reducing your carbon footprint.

Skyland Place and 23rd Street signs with several DC row homes in the background with solar panels on the roofs.

Do you qualify? Find out!

Learn more about all the available income-qualified programs to help you electrify your home at no cost.

Learn more

Eligibility

If you’re a District homeowner or tenant, you can qualify for Solar for All through participation in one of the following programs:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
    (SNAP)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
    (TANF)
  • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
    (LIHEAP)
  • Other Government Assistance Program
    (OTHER)
  • Supplemental Security Income
    (SSI)
DC neighborhood in Ward 8 with townhomes that have solar panels on the roofs.

If you don't participate in any of the programs listed above, have a look at our income qualification chart to see if you're eligible.

Solar for All Income Table

Household Size

Maximum Annual Income

1

$86,650

2

$99,000

3

$111,400

4

$123,750

5

$133,650

6

$144,550

7

$153,450

8

$163,350

Community Solar

No roof? No problem. District residents who live in a condo or apartment can still access the benefits of Solar for All. Community Solar programming bridges the gap for District residents.

We work with area contractors to develop Community Renewable Energy Facilities (CREFs) – aka large-scale community solar installations — on various structures around the District.

By doing so, we ensure that all residents are provided access to the benefits of solar power, regardless of roof condition, exposure, or the barriers of installing panels on a multifamily residence. Interested in subscribing for Solar for All Community Solar and learning how you can save 50% off your electricity bill each year?

Apply on the DOEE Website
Skyland Place and 23rd Street signs with several DC row homes in the background with solar panels on the roofs.

Affordable Home Electrification

Get brand-new, efficient electric HVAC equipment free of charge. It’s the perfect complement to Solar for All, helping you keep electricity bills in check.

If you’re an income-qualified homeowner or renter living in a single-family District home, the DCSEU would like to help you replace your natural gas heating and cooling with modern, energy-efficient electric systems. Best of all, we’ll do it at no cost to you. Indicate your interest when you apply or visit the program page for more details.

Learn more
HVAC technician working on the electrical connections in an air handler of a residential heat pump in a basement.

FAQs

Solar for All, a program of the District of Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), seeks to provide the benefits of solar electricity to 100,000 low-income households and reduce their energy bills by 50% by 2032. The program, which was established by the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Expansion Amendment Act of 2016, is funded by the Renewable Energy Development Fund (REDF). For more information about Solar for All visit DOEE's Solar for All web page.

Solar panels, sometimes referred to as photovoltaic or PV panels, absorb the sun’s energy and convert it to electricity you can use. Electricity flows into your home, as needed. Any electricity the solar panels make that you don’t use is fed into the electric grid.

Yes. While the system will offset your electricity costs by about $500 per year or more, you will still be getting a portion of your electricity from the grid.

Yes. The cost of installing solar is fully covered by the DCSEU through the Solar for All Program.
*Please note: Applying for this program does not guarantee your eligibility to receive a solar system or other benefits. The Solar For All program operates on a first-come, first-served basis and fulfillment is dependent on funding availability.

No. Renters who meet the income requirements are eligible for the program as long as the homeowner agrees to the terms and conditions of the program.

Since 2022, the Solar for All has offered roof repair to homeowners and renters who need it. If you need roof repair, please complete the interest form and flag for your assigned contractor up acceptance into the program.

Although daily maintenance is not required for a solar PV system, it is recommended that the customer monitor the display on the system's inverter at least quarterly to ensure the system is functioning properly.

The contractor who installs the system will also maintain the system over a 20-year period.

Apply to Solar for All

Ready to see if you qualify for no-cost rooftop solar? Apply today to get started!

Get Started

Impact Stories & Resources

See our impact stories and take advantage of resources that make our residential programs a breeze.

“

Relying on social security, managing energy bills is crucial. When I covered the full costs, budgeting was a real challenge. The constraints meant making sacrifices, but with reduced expenses, I now have extra money in my pocket to enjoy more activities

Solar for All Testimonial

- Cerise Turner

2023 Miss Senior DC and Solar for All program participant

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