Net metering in D.C.
What is net metering?
Net metering is the policy that allows people with solar to get a credit on their electric bill for the energy they produce from their system.
Net metering in D.C.
| System capacity limit | 120% of customer electricity usage through 2020 140% in 2021 160% in 2022 180% in 2023 200% in 2024 and after |
| Monthly excess generation credit rate | Full retail |
| Annual excess generation credit rate | Full retail (credit rolls over indefinitely) |
| State-wide net metering cap | None specified |
| Policies expanding net metering | Virtual net metering (community solar) |
| Additional barriers | N/A |
D.C. Code § 34–1518 and D.C. Municipal Regulations Chapter 15-9 establish the rules and regulations for net metering in the District. Individual systems up to 1 MW are eligible as well as community solar systems up to 5 MW. PEPCO is required to offer net metering while competitive electricity suppliers are not.
Billing and compensation
Utility customers with net metered systems will be credited for each kilowatt produced by their system and each month will be billed for the number of kilowatt hours they used, minus the number of kilowatt hours generated. If your generation exceeds your usage for a given month, you will receive a credit for each excess kilowatt hour, to be applied in later months when you generate less electricity than you consume. Credit for excess generation will rollover from month-to-month indefinitely.
Other types of net metering in D.C.
Virtual net metering – D.C. Bill 20-0057 gave D.C. homeowners the option to purchase electricity through virtual net metering from community renewable energy facilities (CREFs). Facilities much be less than 5 MW in capacity and have at least two subscribers. CREF subscribers own or lease a “share” of the facility and each month their utility bill is credited for a certain amount of kilowatt hours based on the size of their share.
Take action
- If you’re having trouble with net metering, post to the D.C. listserv to get help.
- File a complaint with the D.C. Public Service Commission.
- Check the commission’s calendar to stay informed on current issues and attend hearings.
- Find out if you are eligible for D.C. PSC’s Low Income Discount Program
D.C. resources
Our work on net metering in D.C.
- In 2009, D.C.’s utility, PEPCO, had extremely slow interconnection timelines. We helped our members file complaints with the public utility commission and testify at oversight hearings. As a result, the commission established a requirement for no more than 30-day interconnection timing and tied future rate reviews to PEPCO’s performance.
- Learn how we fought and won a fight to allow virtual net metering in the District.