Washington, D.C.
B26-0602 is moving through the legislature; there is no state plug-in solar law yet.
- Bill
- B26-0602
- Size limit in the bill
- no law yet
Checked October 14, 2026
State law · Washington, D.C.
Is plug-in solar legal in Washington, D.C.?
A plug-in solar bill (B26-0602) was pending in the D.C. Council on October 14, 2026. The bill had not taken effect on that date; tracker summaries show common goals for plug-in laws are definition, interconnection exemptions and safety certification.
- StatusBill in progress
- BillB26-0602
- Average rate, EIA24.66¢/kWh
- CheckedOct 14, 2026
Where the bill stands
- Bill introducedB26-0602
- Passed the legislaturein progress
- Signednot yet
- In effectnot yet
A typical year in Washington, D.C.800 W kit · railing, facing south · near the state's population center
Service ZIP200xxWashington, D.C.
733 kWhproduced in a typical year
$104saved per year
24.66¢/kWhAverage home rate, EIA
422 kWh used at home × 24.66¢ = $103.99; 311 kWh sent to the grid unpaid, 0 kWh lost to the inverter limit. At Washington, D.C.'s average rate (EIA).
Washington, D.C.: Bill in progressB26-0602 is moving through the legislature; there is no state plug-in solar law yet.
- Bill
- B26-0602
- Proposed
- —
Production by month, kWh
- Used at home
- Sent to the grid
Residential average, January to July 2026 (EIA Electric Power Monthly).
Open the calculatorWhat the law says now
A plug-in solar bill, B26-0602, was pending in the D.C. Council on October 14, 2026; it had not taken effect on that date. The legislative text on the council site is the definitive source for the bill's provisions and current status.
Tracker summaries such as Bright Saver report that similar bills elsewhere focus on three goals: define a new class of small systems, exempt them from utility interconnection requirements and approvals, and require product safety certifications. Bright Saver lists those goals in its summaries.
Options right now
You can use systems that do not connect to the grid today, for example a portable power station charged by a panel. Portable stations are self-contained and manufacturers list capacities and AC outputs such as 2048Wh/3000W, 1024Wh/1800W and 4000Wh/4000W for current models.
For homeowners, a rooftop solar installer can provide a quote for a grid-tied system that follows standard interconnection rules. If you want to estimate what a small plug-in kit would produce in D.C., the calculator gives numbers for an 800 W kit: vertical, south-facing it produces 733 kWh a year (422 kWh used at home, 311 kWh exported) and at 24.66 cents per kWh that is $104 a year; tilted 30° it produces 1,095 kWh and saves $126 a year. Use the calculator for your address and orientation.
- Examples of portable stations: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus 2048Wh capacity | 3000W AC output (manufacturer listing).
- EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus 1024Wh capacity | 1800W AC output (manufacturer listing).
- EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 4000Wh capacity | 4000W AC output (manufacturer listing).
- Smaller EcoFlow TRAIL models: TRAIL 300/Plus 300 288Wh; TRAIL 200 192Wh (manufacturer listings).
Questions
Is plug-in solar already legal in Washington, D.C.?
No final law was in effect on October 14, 2026. A bill, B26-0602, was pending in the D.C. Council on that date; check the council site for the bill text and status.
How much will an 800 W plug-in kit produce in D.C.?
The calculator gives 733 kWh a year for an 800 W kit mounted vertical and facing south, with 422 kWh (58%) used at home and 311 kWh exported; at 24.66 cents per kWh the home-used power is worth $104 a year. Tilted at 30° the same kit produces 1,095 kWh and saves $126 a year.
Can I avoid the grid by using a portable power station?
Yes. A portable power station charged by panels does not need a grid connection. Manufacturer listings show models with capacities such as 2048Wh, 1024Wh and 4000Wh and AC outputs from 1800W to 4000W.
What would a D.C. plug-in solar law do if passed?
Trackers report that plug-in laws typically define small-system rules, exempt them from standard utility interconnection approvals, and require product safety certifications. The specific provisions of B26-0602 are in the bill text on the council site.