Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)

SRECs are the key to making money from solar power in DC. They’re certificates that you get for generating solar electricity. Here’s the thing – DC offers the highest and most stable SREC prices in the nation, and you can cash in your SRECs for thousands of dollars annually from your solar system.

What Are SRECs, and How Do They Work?

As the solar panel owner, you can help utilities meet their RPS goals by generating solar electricity and creating SRECs. You get one SREC for every 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of solar electricity you produce, which is equivalent to one megawatt-hour (MWh).

How Much Can I Earn From SRECs in DC.?

The amount of money you can make from SRECs depends on two factors: How much solar electricity you generate, and How much SRECs are worth at the time of sale.

How to Sell SRECs in DC?

You also need to find a buyer for your SRECs, which can be challenging if you don’t have the time or expertise to navigate the SREC market. That’s why most solar panel owners use an intermediary service called an aggregator or broker, which acts as a middleman between you and the buyers.

Solar Energy System Property Tax Exemption

One of the benefits of installing solar panels in Washington DC is that you can save money on your property taxes. The Solar Energy System and Cogeneration System Personal Property Tax Credit exempts you from paying any additional taxes on the increased value of your home due to your solar system.

DC Solar For All Program

Solar for All is a program that aims to provide the benefits of solar energy to 100,000 income eligible families in DC. by 2032. The program offers free or discounted solar power to eligible residents, either by installing solar panels on their homes or by subscribing to community solar projects.

How to Qualify for Solar for All

To qualify for Solar for All, you’ll need to meet the income guidelines below, based on your household size and income. Please note that guidelines change over time.

How to Benefit From Net Metering in DC

With net metering, you only pay for the net amount of electricity you use from the grid each month. If you produce more electricity than you consume, you get a credit for the excess generation at the full retail rate. This credit will roll over to the next month indefinitely, until you use it up.

Case Study: Maryland Solar Panels + Battery

Battery Storage, Case Studies, Solar

If you’re thinking about installing solar panels on your home in Maryland, and probably have lots of questions, like:

Who are the best solar companies in Maryland?
What Maryland solar incentives and tax credits can I claim?
How much money will I save with solar and battery storage?

In the case study, you’ll find answers to these questions and more. We’re featuring a project that we did for Jennifer F, who hired EDGE Energy to install solar panels and battery storage on her home in Maryland.

Please keep in mind that every home is different.

If you’d like to get a proposal to install solar panels or battery backup for your home, please give us a call at (888) 586-3343, or take a second to fill out our contact form:

Let’s Connect

Based in Beltsville, Maryland, EDGE Energy has successfully completed more than 2,000 projects since 2006. We stand out as the only ENERGY STAR® Contractor of the Year and Master-certified solar company in Maryland (top 5% nationally). Every project comes with a satisfaction guarantee.

The Right Time with the Right Solar Company

Jennifer cares about her carbon footprint, but she’s a realist.

She didn’t want to install solar panels until it made solid financial sense. She was also concerned about finding the right solar installer because she has a cedar shake roof with lots of bump outs.

The Right Time: Lower Costs, Higher Incentives

“The panels got better, and the battery storage tax credits and solar incentives got better. Solar aligns with our values, and it makes good financial sense because we’re going to be in our house for a while.”

Jennifer thought about installing solar panels for years, but she waited for the cost of the panels to come down and the value of the incentives and tax credits to come up. When the time was right, she started looking for the right installer.

The Right Installer: EDGE Energy

When the time was right, she reached out to eight solar installers.

“We ended up choosing EDGE because of a combination of the cost, quality panels, ability to work on a cedar roof, and the strength of our neighbors recommendation.”

Jennifer first reached out to EDGE Energy because we installed solar panels for her neighbors, who recommended that she get in touch.

“EDGE Energy was responsive and supportive throughout the process. They did the design and went through both PEPCO and the city to get approval.”

The System: Maryland Solar Panels + Battery Storage

Here’s an overview of what we proposed installed on Jennifer’s home.

Solar Panels

23 SunPower A-400 Watt AC Panels With Factory-Integrated Microinverters

Here are a few reasons that the SunPower A-400 Watt AC Panels work well for many homeowners in Maryland:

Efficient: They have the most powerful cell in home solar, delivering the highest-efficiency module in residential solar.
Light: They have a factory-integrated microinverter that is 60% lighter than prior SunPower microinverters and is engineered and calibrated by SunPower for SunPower AC modules.
Integrated: They are part of the SunPower Equinox™ System, the only fully integrated solution designed, engineered, and warranted by one manufacturer.
High Performance: They are designed to deliver up to 60% more energy over 25 years in real-world conditions like partial shade and high temperatures.
Reliable: They have the best reliability and the best warranty in the industry, with a 25-year Combined Power and Product Warranty, including the highest Power Warranty in solar.

Battery Storage

SunPower SunVault Energy Storage System with 13 kWh Capacity

The SunVault energy storage system integrates seamlessly with SunPower solar panels to provide energy, monitoring and intelligence to power your home with or without grid power. Here’s what we like:

More Charge Cycles: They have advanced battery technology that stores solar energy efficiently and allows more charge cycles than conventional storage systems.
Seamless: They have a Hub+ device that houses backed-up circuits and controls your solar + storage system for optimal performance and seamless transitions from utility power to battery power.
Easy Monitoring: They have an LED Panel that gives you up-to-date information about system status, energy use and in-app alerts.
Peace of Mind: They give you peace of mind during an outage and the freedom to manage your energy as you see fit.

Maryland Solar Incentives and Tax Credits

Here in Maryland, we’re fortunate to have strong cash incentives for rooftop solar systems. The incentives are managed by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). Please visit their website for the latest, including current funding levels, eligibility requirements, and steps to apply.

You can also learn more about the Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credit, which is administered by the MEA. Each year, the MEA gets a certain amount for tax credits, which are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The federal tax credit covers 30% of the cost of new solar panels and battery storage systems installed from 2022 to 2032. The credit rate decreases to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034.

System Performance and Payback

Net Zero from Day One

Jennifer’s 9.2 kW system produced about 10,400 kWh in the first year, which at the time was 132% of her electricity bills. In other words, she produced 32% more electricity than the electricity she used at home.

Here is an estimate of how much her Maryland solar panels will earn over time:

10 Years: $20,079
25 Years: $52,755
40 Years: $95,473

How is the Battery Storage Performing?

The power has gone out a few times since Jennifer installed her SunVault energy storage system. When that happens, her system fires up automatically to keep the lights on, fridge cold, and furnace running. Her house stays lit up when everyone else on the block goes dark.

Conclusion

We’re proud to help Jennifer zero out her energy bills and keep the lights on when the grid goes down. Her project came with a satisfaction guarantee, which we offer for every solar installation.

Let’s Connect

If you’d like help with your home, please give us a call at (888) 586-3343, or send us a message anytime.

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