DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SOLAR INCENTIVES

Solar Incentives in Washington DC

The nations capital leads by example and  offers a variety of commercial solar incentives to encourage businesses to go solar. The Washington, DC Solar for Business Program offers performance-based incentives for businesses that install solar PV systems. Incentives are based on the actual electricity production of the system and are paid out over five years. The Washington, DC Commercial Solar Grants Program provides grants of up to $50,000 for businesses that install solar PV systems. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are paid out over two years.

Also, The Washington, DC Solar Cooperative is a group purchasing program that offers member businesses discounts on the installation of solar PV systems. Lastly, the Washington, DC Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program helps businesses finance the installation of solar PV systems through property taxes. For more information on these and other commercial solar incentives in Washington, DC, please visit the Washington, DC Solar website.

 

Solar Renewable Energy Credits

Under D.C. law, a solar renewable energy credit (SREC), is equivalent to one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity derived from an eligible solar resource. Electricity suppliers must purchase SRECs in order to meet their compliance obligations under the law, or pay a Solar Alternative Compliance Payment (SACP) for any shortfalls in SREC purchases. The maximum incentive is $500/MWh or $0.50/kWh. Solar-electric systems larger than 10 kW must be equipped with a revenue-grade generation meter.

DSIRE (dsireusa.org)

Solar Energy System and Cogeneration System Personal Property Tax Credit-

The District of Columbia Council created a personal property tax exemption for solar energy systems and cogeneration systems within the District. Systems using exclusively solar energy are exempt from personal property tax.

DSIRE (dsireusa.org)

District of Columbia Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing

The District of Columbia offers a commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. PACE financing allows commercial and mulitfamily property owners in the district to borrow money to pay for energy improvements. The program will provide financing for projects costing between $250,000 and $10,000,000; larger and smaller projects will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The term of the repayment is up to 20 years

Properties applying for PACE financing:

  • must be located within the District of Columbia
  • must not be in default, or have a history of default, on mortgage or property payments
  • cannot have a combined debt limit of 90% of current value (including PACE financing)
  • must have primary mortgage holders give written consent to take a secondary position to PACE loan in cases of default.

DSIRE (dsireusa.org)

Genie Energy Ltd., (NYSE: GNE, GNEPRA) is a global energy solutions company. We supply customers in the US and Europe with electricity, including electricity generated from renewable resources and with natural gas. Through Genie Solar Energy and Prism Solar, we design, construct and install commercial solar energy solutions. We provide commercial and industrial clients with energy brokerage and consultative services through our Diversegy brand.

Case Studies

  • Commercial Solar Case Study Property Management Company
    Wiley Property Management Case Study

    The installation of the solar array on the roof of storage facility is leveraging a limited regulation called “Group Hosting”. Group hosting is a method where a group of businesses or individuals share the installation and use of a larger solar array on a single property.

  • Bake Crafters Commercial Solar Case Study
    Bake Crafters Food Company

    Bake Crafters’ commercial solar array is a remarkable example of sustainability in action. With an output capacity of 800 kW and predictions of offsetting 770 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

  • Integra Commercial Solar Case Study
    Integra Biosciences

    Integra Biosciences’ Commercial Solar project achieves 22% IRR and aligns with the company’s global sustainability goals and commitments. The two installations total 572-kW and generate enough power to offset 844,000 kWh.

  • Commercial Solar Case Study - Kraft Power
    Commercial Solar Case Study – Kraft Power Power

    Kraft Power utilized American made solar panels to install a 57.5 kW system on their roof. The new rooftop solar system, will help Kraft Power offset 100% of the electricity usage every year.

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Testimonials

Convinced to go solar by the New Jersey incentives, PCS Wireless looked at several solar companies to provide the best overall value. Genie Solar was able to design a unique system to offset the largest portion of their electricity usage. Additionally, we combine it with an exclusive financial product which minimized the cash out of pocket and maximized the return on investment. The 494 kW system was constructed in minimal time, with no impact on the businesses operations.
PCS Wireless
A provider of engine-generator systems, Kraft Power was a pioneer of “Total Energy” (Combined Heat and Power). After seeing the financial and green benefits of solar at their headquarters in Massachusetts, Kraft wanted to capitalize on the lucrative state incentives in New Jersey at a distribution center. By installing a 57.5 kW system on the roof they were able to offset 100% of their electricity usage, take advantage of the Investment Tax Credit, accelerated depreciation, and collect revenue from the New Jersey SREC program. Genie Solar made it a smooth process and limited the need for internal resources to manage the project.
Kraft Power
A premier provider of water treatment in the New York and New Jersey area, Tower wanted to go solar to save money and generate clean energy. Upon reviewing the financial benefits available in New Jersey with the SREC program and the federal Investment Tax Credit, they wanted to safe harbor the project in 2019 and construct in 2020. Buying American Made panels was an important component of the project, and by utilizing their white roof, Genie Solar was able to leverage Prism Solar’s bifacial panels to minimize the square footage needed and maximize the electricity generated. Genie Solar helped them achieve all of their goals in an efficient manner with a 44.6 kW system.
Tower Water
Cardoza had both a showroom and a distribution center with exorbitant electricity costs in New Hampshire. As a legacy business, it was important to reduce costs and protect the business from increasing expenses prior to passing it on to the owner’s children. The show room’s roof and location made it a less than ideal location for solar; but the vast roof and direct sunlight on the distribution center could generate enough solar to power both facilities, plus the owner’s house. Leveraging New Hampshire’s group host program, Genie Solar built one 99.7 kW solar array to power all three locations. The owner is now considering converting more equipment to solar and building a second array.
Cardoza Flooring
A destination nursery in rural New Hampshire, HBTSR was a long standing customer of Genie Solar’s sister company, Diversegy. After helping the business reduce electricity expenses for the past number of years, HBTSR turned to Genie Solar to reduce their rising electricity expenses over the long run. “Between the federal and NH state incentives, I was paid $8,000 to install my solar array. On top of getting money back, I am going to realize over $300,000 in savings during the 25 year warranty period of the solar array.”
House By The Side of the Road