Solar Panel Installation Cost in Washington, D.C.

In a city where a lot of big decisions get made, homeowners in Washington, D.C., can make their own power moves. Solar panel installation costs in Washington, D.C., average $29,161, but range from $19,527 to $39,197, depending on the system size and roof conditions. National monuments aren’t all that make D.C. special—the district has some of the country’s best solar incentives. Let’s shine a light on what you can expect to pay for solar panels and the cost factors to consider.

Solar Panel Installation Cost Factors 

From tight rooftops to regulations for historic properties, here’s what drives your solar costs in Washington, D.C. While this can give you an idea of what to budget, a solar panel installer in Washington, D.C., can provide detailed estimates.

Solar System Size 

When space is at a premium, every panel needs to count. The size of the solar system will impact your solar panel installation costs. The larger the output, the more you’ll pay. Most homes need 6- to 10-kW (kilowatt) systems, which work out to anywhere from 15 to 34 panels, depending on the wattage.

The table below shows average costs based on the size of your solar system: 

Type of Panel

When choosing the type of solar panel that works best for your home, consider three main factors: efficiency, life expectancy, and design. Here’s how the type of solar panel can affect your cost:

Number of Panels Needed 

On average, most homes need anywhere from 20 to 25 panels to fully power a home, but this can range from as few as 15 to as many as 34. How many solar panels you need depends on the number of watts per panel, your energy consumption, and the efficiency of your panels. Your average solar panel will have an output of anywhere from 250 to 400 watts. The dimensions of your solar panels will also depend on the power output.

Solar System Hardware 

You’ll want to secure your solar panels with tough mounting hardware and high-quality components to handle wind loads and maximize production in partial shade.

The more advanced the technology, the higher the up-front cost. The type of mount will affect the cost as well: 

• Fixed mounts: $20–$30 per mount 

• Adjustable mounts: $75–$100 per mount

• Tracking: $800–$4,000 or more per mount (these mounts can self-track sunlight, leading to up to 45% more energy production)

• Standard roof mounts: $150–$300 per panel

• Ballasted systems: $200–$400 per panel (for flat roofs)

Other materials you will need for a solar energy system include the parts in the table below. 

• Inverter: Converts direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity

• Microinverters: Converts DC power to AC power at individual panels instead of the whole string of panels

• Optimizer: Regulates currents so each panel is more energy efficient and prevents power loss. 

• Battery: Stores excess energy from the system so homeowners can use it at night or during a power outage 

Some systems use a single solar inverter or several microinverters that convert DC to AC electricity. Materials like the wiring and battery are often grouped with the package price unless you opt for add-on services.

Solar Panel Installation Pro Costs

Installing solar panels in Washington, D.C., is a job best left to the pros. The permitting process is complex, historic districts have specific requirements, and working in the city has unique challenges. 

Budget $0.50 to $0.80 per watt for labor, but this number doesn’t include permits or the cost of additional technology, such as special mounts, tiles, or shingles. 

Electrical Labor Costs 

Solar panel installation does require electrical work. Though many solar panel installation companies have a licensed electrician on staff who specializes in solar panels, roofing contractors sometimes subcontract an electrician. The cost of hiring an electrician in D.C. averages $75 to $150 per hour.

Permits and Inspections

Depending on your area, you may need to get a building permit and a solar panel inspection before you can unveil your new solar panels. Permits and inspections will add about $200 to $800 to the solar panel costs. 

• Standard residential permits: $200–$500

• Historic district approvals: $300–$1,000

• Electrical permits: $150–$300

• Net metering interconnection: $100–$250

The permitting process takes around two to four weeks, but if you're in a historic district, it can take six to eight weeks for additional approvals.

Does Solar Panel Installation Increase Home Value?

In Washington, D.C., solar panels are worth the return on investment (ROI), and the national ROI is about 35%. Homeowners benefit from multiple revenue streams, including electricity savings, SREC sales, and net metering credits. The price per SREC changes regularly, but SRECs in D.C. are some of the most valuable in the country and can add up to thousands of dollars in income each year. Many homebuyers are eager to cash in on these financial benefits and run their home on renewable energy.

Government Credits and Tax Incentives

The best way to save money on the up-front costs of installing solar panels is to take advantage of the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) before it ends on December 31, 2025. The ITC allows homeowners to claim a federal tax credit equal to 30% of the price of their solar panel system installation.

For example, if your solar panel system costs $30,000 before the federal tax credit, you can save around $9,000. However, to benefit from this credit, your solar system has to be installed and working before the federal incentive ends.

The ITC, also known as the Residential Clean Energy Credit, was originally extended through 2032 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. However, new federal legislation (the Big Beautiful Bill Act) signed into law on July 4, 2025, terminated the credit early. The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) outlines the high-level policy changes and restrictions on energy tax credits.

Additionally, the extra power you choose not to store in a battery can be sent back to the grid. Your local utility company will compensate you for that power, but the amount will vary. You can check the Utility Rate Database on Open EI to estimate how much you can expect to receive for generating excess energy.

State or Local Solar Incentives

Don't let the up-front investment discourage you from going solar in D.C. Local incentives make solar particularly attractive:

• Solar Renewable Energy Certificates: D.C. homeowners earn SRECs for every megawatt-hour their system produces and can sell these certificates to utilities to provide ongoing income.

• Net Metering: The net metering program allows homeowners to sell excess power back to the grid at full retail rates.

• Property Tax Exemption: Added home value from a solar panel installation is exempt from property tax assessments, meaning the install won’t increase your taxes.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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