Solar for All
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.
How it works
Through Solar for All, the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) is working with local solar contractors, like New Columbia Solar, to design and install large Community Renewable Energy Facilities (CREFs), or community solar projects, across the District. Once installed and operational, the electricity generated from these systems is allocated to income-qualified DC residents in the form of monthly electricity bill credits. The electricity bill credits provided by the Solar for All program can save participants up to 50% off their electricity bill each year. By distributing the benefits of community solar, the Solar for All program allows residents who live in multifamily buildings or whose roofs are not suitable for solar access to the financial benefits of clean energy.
Income-qualified DC residents can access Solar for All benefits in two different ways:
- Single-Family Solar for All: Income-qualified DC residents who live in single-family homes can apply to get solar installed directly on their roof. Apply here.
- Solar for All Community Solar: Income-qualified DC residents who live in apartments, condos, or homes where it’s not possible to install solar can subscribe to Solar for All Community Solar to receive credits that will cut their electricity bills by about 50%. Apply here.
Featured Solar for All Projects
Paradise at Parkside
– System size: 1,800 kW
– # of families served: 514
– Project lifetime: 20 years
Washington Tennis & Education Foundation
– System size: 750 kW
– # of families served: 214
– Project lifetime: 15 years
Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus
– System size: 1,149 kW
– # of families served: 325
– Project lifetime: 20 years
St. Luke Roman Catholic Church
– System size: 137 kW
– # of families served: 39
– Project lifetime: 15 years
Crescent Park Village
– System size: 373 kW
– # of families served: 106
– Project lifetime: 20 years
Fort Chaplin
– System size: 1,209 kW
– # of families served: 345
– Project lifetime: 15 years
#DCSolarStories
The DC Solar for All documentary, #DCSolarStories, showcases how the DOEE, the District Government, building developers, low-income housing organizations, and residents are working together to reach Mayor Bowser’s Solar For All target to provide 100,000 low to moderate income families with the benefits of solar energy.
In the video, you’ll hear from Solar for All grantees and how the solar energy has lowered their bills and changed their lives. Lena, a longtime resident of the District, said that her home has been very expensive to heat and cool over the years. “It would average around $450 a month, which is a lot on my salary,” she said. “So I wasn’t able to do a lot of things. Heating and cooling was the bulk of it.” Watch the documentary to find out how she, and other grantees, have benefited from the program.
Solar For All from Pendragwn Productions on Vimeo.