Author: Lacy Cook — Are you curious about what the process looks like to go solar in Washington DC? If you’re embarking on your solar journey in the DMV and are wondering how this whole experience might play out, here’s what you can expect along the way.
1. Start With Some Research
You’re reading a blog post about going solar in DC, which is a great first step! Start your journey with a little good old fashioned Googling. Look into the companies you’re considering and scope out their reviews to get a sense of which one might be a good fit for you. (We have another blog post on the 10 questions you should ask any solar company as well.) We think you’ll find the experience is better with a reputable local company, who will treat you as a neighbor instead of a number.
At Uprise, we offer a personalized design for free before you ever sign with us. The design will show you where the panels might go on your roof, and provide financing options. We also offer multiple financing options so you can find one that works for your budget. We’re on a mission to make solar affordable for everyone in the DMV, and one way we’re doing that is through our no-cost solar program, where we cover the cost of installation and receive financial incentives to make it happen, and you receive clean power at a lower rate than what local utility companies offer.
2. Approve Your Agreement
Once you’ve signed with Uprise, you can sit back and relax as we take care of the details. (Although we are always more than happy to answer questions along the way or provide updates!)
The process starts with a site visit, which will allow our construction team to gather details about your roof and main service panel or breaker box. Those details allow us to finalize your design and get it stamped by a structural engineer. Then we’ll submit permitting paperwork to the Department of Buildings (DOB), and then we’ll all spend some time waiting together. DOB may take up to four weeks to approve. Once they do, we’ll spend around two weeks procuring your panels and installation equipment like wiring and racking.
Once we have permits and equipment in place, we’ll reach out to you to schedule a date for your solar installation.
3. Installation Day
It’s finally here! Installation day is the fast part of the process; most solar installs take only one to two days. You don’t have to be home for the entire install, although you do need to ensure our installers have access to your home to make those final wiring connections. Uprise also speeds up the solar process by bringing an inspector out on the last day of installation to look over the system, so we can submit the next set of paperwork right away.
4. Receive Permission To Operate
We’ll submit what’s called interconnection paperwork to your utility company (Pepco, Dominion, or BGE). They may take four weeks (sometimes even longer) to approve, but as soon as they do, we can turn your system on and your panels will start generating clean power!
5. Enjoy The Benefits Of Solar
Solar in DC is very low maintenance. Once your system is up and running, there isn’t much you have to do. We’ll provide you with access to the Enphase App, so you can see how your panels are performing. Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect from solar:
- Slash your electric bills — we estimate you’ll save 50% to 80%
- Sell excess power back to the grid through net metering
- Lower your carbon footprint — run your home on a power source that doesn’t pump out greenhouse gas emissions to generate electricity
- Increase your home value — solar can be a selling point for buyers who also want to save money on their power bills and do something good for the planet
Ready To Learn More?
We’re more than happy to talk you through any questions you have about solar, whether about the process or anything else. Call us at (202) 750-5718 or schedule your free consultation here. We look forward to speaking with you!