0 Best Solar Companies in District Of Columbia

The Main Types of Residential Solar Systems

The first important decision you'll make when planning your solar system is what panels to use. There are three main kinds to choose from, and you can decide which one is right for you based on your budget and the design of your home.

Monocrystalline

In the warm summers of District Of Columbia, you'll get the best results from monocrystalline panels. Each black-hued cell uses only one silicon crystal, meaning you can generate more energy with a small array. Since they're more intricate, they come at a higher-than-average starting price point. However, they also have the longest lifespan and better ROI possibilities than other types of solar panels.

Polycrystalline

Polycrystalline solar panels have navy blue cells made of multiple silicon fragments. Aside from their lower upfront cost, they have a less wasteful manufacturing process.

However, they take up more space than monocrystalline panels, so you'll need more space on your roof for a high-capacity array.

Thin-film

Thin-film solar panels use different metal alloys instead of silicon crystals. Some homeowners choose them for their lower weight or greater compatibility with unique roof shapes. Others go with them for their high heat resistance and low-light performance. Thin-film panels are a good choice for value in more "partly sunny" areas of District Of Columbia. They maintain efficiency as temperatures fluctuate and work with many different roof shapes.

However, they're less space-efficient than monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels, and you may have better-performing options if your property has high solar potential.

Solar Purchase Options

Adopting solar power is a large investment. Once you and your contractor agree on which kind and model of panels to use, you can select from a range of purchase options, like the following:

• Solar leases: You can avoid down payments or upfront costs entirely with a solar lease. Instead, you'll pay based on what the installer expects your panels will generate. Leases will frequently include the cost of repairs and scheduled maintenance. If your panels don't reach their projected generation in a certain month, you could receive a partial reimbursement. However, they do not qualify for state or tax incentives and won't increase your property values. If you sell your house, the panel provider will remove the panels unless the buyer decides to continue with the lease.
• Power purchase agreements (PPAs): If you enter a PPA, in place of paying the cost of the panels upfront, you'll pay your retailer an agreed amount for the power you generate. Each payment will often be less than what you would pay your utility for the same power. Remember that some PPAs can last for 20–25 years. While you can end the PPA, there may be early termination fees you'll have to pay.
• Solar loans: Most homeowners purchase their solar panels by taking out a solar loan, whether through their contractor's financing partners or a local bank. It's usually quicker to repay a loan than to complete a PPA. Further, because you're purchasing rather than leasing, you can take full advantage of incentives and special offers from your utility or local government. A credit check may be required, but lenders may still have great options for you even if you have a limited or weak credit history.

Beyond the price of the system, your bill will also include the cost of your installer's labor and preliminary work done by other contractors. An application fee may be required if you're preparing for net metering.

Residential Solar Incentives and Cost Support

State governments and utility companies incentivize solar panel installation through a variety of different programs, like:

• Rebates: Rebates can come from a manufacturer, power company, or government. Your solar provider can help you apply for them during the planning phase of your project. In some cases, the money will go directly to the installer as compensation for installing a company's products or interconnecting the system. Other times, it will go directly to you, and you can put it toward your first loan, lease, or PPA bills.
• Tax credits: The IRS gives a 30% tax credit on the value of your new solar equipment, so you should include Form 5695 with your federal returns for the year. Your state, county, or city could also provide similar income or property tax credits, or even exempt solar equipment for a period of time after installation.
• Net metering: Net metering is a program that utilities and states use to add renewable energy capacity and fortify their grid. If your solar array generates more energy than you actually use, you can send the excess generation to the grid in exchange for bill credits.
• Net billing: Some utilities and states are retiring net metering for net billing schemes. Fundamentally speaking, both systems work the same. However, with net billing, you sell the electricity to your utility company instead of receiving credits for your excess solar generation. Compensation will usually be at a wholesale or avoided-cost rate, which is below the retail rate.

Solar Energy By the Numbers in District Of Columbia

Curious about solar energy's impact on the District Of Columbia economy? These statistics paint a good picture of the growing solar market in your area.

• In District Of Columbia, the average new home solar array is rated for up to 9.8 kW and costs $25,885.
• Without solar, the average family spends about $EnergySpendingPerHousePerYear each year on their energy bill.
• District Of Columbia generates 94 MW of residential solar energy, reaching 83,984 homes and counting.
• Solar energy has enabled the creation of 1,051 jobs in District Of Columbia, with more added as companies grow and technology continues to improve.
• A five-kilowatt solar energy system in District Of Columbia has an average payback period of 16.3 years. That said, a system at that capacity would also save you $649.65 on your energy bill.

Useful Resources

Want to learn more about solar energy in your area? Take a look at these pages and resources:

• Best solar companies by city: If you're looking for tailored solar company recommendations in your area, Today's Homeowner has just what you need. We can recommend you the best companies in cities likeDATAPOINT_ERR_{top_live_cities(largest_cities, 5)}.
• DSIRE: DSIRE has a wealth of information on the latest local and statewide solar incentive programs. Search by your location, utility company, and the type of solar system you're looking to install.
• PVWatts: PVWatts is a useful online tool that lets you virtually try out different solar systems on your house. You can find out how much energy your panels would produce and see which angles and locations would give you the best ROI.