30% Federal Tax Credit Available·Avg Payback: 7.2 Years·50 States + DC Covered·$38,400 Avg 25-Year Savings·Federal ITC Locked Through 2032·Real DSIRE Incentive Data·Commercial: Section 48E up to 50%·C&I Payback: 4–7 Years·30% Federal Tax Credit Available·Avg Payback: 7.2 Years·50 States + DC Covered·$38,400 Avg 25-Year Savings·Federal ITC Locked Through 2032·Real DSIRE Incentive Data·Commercial: Section 48E up to 50%·C&I Payback: 4–7 Years·30% Federal Tax Credit Available·Avg Payback: 7.2 Years·50 States + DC Covered·$38,400 Avg 25-Year Savings·Federal ITC Locked Through 2032·Real DSIRE Incentive Data·Commercial: Section 48E up to 50%·C&I Payback: 4–7 Years·30% Federal Tax Credit Available·Avg Payback: 7.2 Years·50 States + DC Covered·$38,400 Avg 25-Year Savings·Federal ITC Locked Through 2032·Real DSIRE Incentive Data·Commercial: Section 48E up to 50%·C&I Payback: 4–7 Years·
::DC_NET_METERING // 2026

District of Columbia Net Metering Rates 2026

Updated June 2026 · Sources: DSIRE, EIA

District of Columbia solar exports are credited under full retail-rate net metering, worth roughly ~100% of retailof the retail electricity rate. Here's exactly how it works, which utilities offer it, and what it means for your payback.

Credit Type
Full retail-rate net metering
Export Value
~100% of retail
Avg Payback
6.6 yrs

How Net Metering Works in District of Columbia

When your panels produce more electricity than your home is using, the surplus flows back onto the grid and your meter records the export. District of Columbia utilities credit those exported kilowatt-hours at the full retail price you pay for grid electricity. You draw that credit back down at night or on cloudy days, so you only pay for your net consumption across the billing cycle.

Because District of Columbia mandates net metering, a correctly sized system can push net annual electricity costs close to zero for many DC homeowners.

What It's Worth: ~100% of retail of Retail

The single biggest driver of solar payback is how much your utility pays for exported energy. District of Columbia's full retail-rate crediting is the most valuable structure available — every exported kWh offsets a kWh you'd otherwise buy at full price.

The average DC homeowner reaches payback in 6.6 years and nets $49,200 over 25 years with these rules in effect.

District of Columbia Utilities Offering Net Metering

The major utilities operating in District of Columbia are Pepco. Net metering terms — true-up dates, monthly fees, and credit carryover — vary by provider, so confirm the current tariff with your specific utility before signing an installation contract.

District of Columbia Net Metering FAQ

Yes. District of Columbia requires utilities to credit residential solar customers for excess energy exported to the grid under full retail-rate net metering. Each exported kWh is credited at ~100% of retail of the retail rate.
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What will net metering save you in District of Columbia?

Our calculator factors District of Columbia's full retail-rate net metering into your payback and 25-year savings — using your actual electric bill.

Calculate My DC Savings →Free · 60 seconds · no obligation