$35,000,000+ total discounts to Perch subscribers!
Community solar in Washington, DC
Perch helps thousands of renters, homeowners and businesses save money the easy way from solar—no rooftop panels required. Help your wallet, help the planet. Get matched to a local solar farm today!
- 1.About community solar
- 2.How does community solar work in Washington, DC?
- 3.Who can join community solar?
- 4.Sign up and save
- 5.Benefits of community solar
- 6.Community solar FAQs
- 7.Washington, DC's clean energy programs
About Perch
Perch was part of the team that pioneered community solar in Massachusetts in 2013. Now serving customers on over 110 solar projects across the country and growing, we're helping lower electricity costs for residents and businesses, one community at a time.
About community solar: A subscription that rewards you for helping the planet
Community solar is an exciting solar sharing option available in Washington, DC for those who can't install rooftop panels, but still want the cost-savings and eco benefits of solar power. With Perch, we'll match you to a local solar farm in your area. Your “subscription” enables that farm to pump more clean energy onto the grid. In return, you receive a discount on your own electricity cost in the form of credits. Perch handles all the legwork, you just sit back and enjoy the savings.
How does community solar in Washington, DC work?
- 1A local solar farm exists or a new one is built
- 2It's connected to the utility and sends eco-friendly solar power to Washington, DC' electric grid
- 3The energy production is translated into "solar credits," and as a subscriber of the farm you earn a share of those credits
- 4Credits are applied directly to your electricity bill; you'll pay Perch for those credits but at a discounted rate, leaving you with net savings
- No changes to your existing utility or electric provider
Who can join community solar in Washington, DC?
If you pay an electric bill, you might be eligible for community solar! No rooftop panels required.
Residents
Owners and renters; houses, apartments, condos and all types of residences.
Businesses & franchises
Show your customers you’re eco conscious and improve your bottom line, too.
Universities & hospitals
Put your savings back into those who really matter.
Non-profits
You’re giving so much to your community, enjoy energy savings in return.
Commercial & industrial
The higher your energy bill, the higher potential for savings.
Municipalities
Reinvest your savings into local areas of need.
1
Apply online
Provide some basic info and a copy of your electric bill or utility account number—we’ll take it from there.
2
Get matched to a solar farm
We’ll see if there’s an eligible solar farm in your area, and then analyze your energy usage so we can subscribe you to the right amount of solar shares based on your electricity needs—helping you save as much as possible.
3
Enjoy savings
Thanks to government incentives, you’ll get a discount on your electricity cost in the form of credits—like a reward for supporting clean energy generation! Savings vary by state and solar project.
Benefits of community solar in Washington, DC
Benefits to subscribers
Save on your electricity costs
Available to renters and homeowners, businesses, institutions, municipal buildings and more
No rooftop panels required, no installation, no maintenance
You feel good about playing a part in transitioning to a cleaner, greener electric grid
Benefits to the state of Washington, DC and the planet
Fights global warming by enabling more eco-friendly clean energy generation
Helps lessen Washington, DC's dependence on harmful fossil fuel energy sources, lowering the state's overall carbon emissions
Community solar programs create local jobs, as every new solar farm requires workers
Boosts the local economy since community solar projects and the jobs they create directly serve the communities they're in
Lower your electric bill with community solar
Washington, DC community solar FAQs
How do community solar credits and billing work in Washington, DC?
Washington, DC community solar programs are required by state legislation to use Non-Universal Consolidated Billing, which is a two-bill model where you see your full credits applied directly to your existing utility bill, but then get a separate bill from Perch for the cost of those credits (their monetary value based on your solar share farm share’s energy production)—but at a discounted rate. You’re paying for your share’s generated utility credit, but at a lesser price point thanks to the community solar discount Perch provides.
FOR EXAMPLE
If your solar share generates $100 of credits
You’ll see the full $100 deduction directly on your utility bill.
- Perch then bills you for those credits at a discounted rate
You may pay Perch $90
It’s like paying $90 to receive $100
$10 is your net savings that month
Expand that over a year and your savings add up!
Who in Washington, DC is eligible for community solar?
Does it cost anything to join a Washington, DC community solar program?
How much can I save with community solar in Washington, DC?
Does community solar change my utility company or electricity provider?
Does Perch own the solar farms in Washington, DC?
Where does the electricity go that a Washington, DC solar farm generates?
Does a solar farm have to be in my city or town for me to subscribe?
About Washington, DC community solar and the state's clean energy programs
The community solar program in the District of Columbia is run by the city’s only electric utility, Pepco. All types of customers can subscribe to community solar facilities in DC, whether residential, small businesses, or larger customers like public buildings, hospitals, or universities. There is also the Solar for All program that exclusively provides community solar access to low- to moderate-income (LMI) households at a higher discount rate. Solar for All in DC aims to reduce 100,000 LMI households’ electricity bills by 50% over 15 years.