DC free solar PPA vs Solar for All: which one are you actually eligible for?
When DC homeowners search for "free solar," they find two programs that both use that phrase. Most people don't know the difference — and most solar companies don't explain it. Here's the honest answer, including the part nobody else is telling you: one of these programs has no money right now.
Important update for 2026: DC's Solar for All program lost its federal government funding this year. The program still exists and DCSEU still answers the phone — but if you call, they will tell you they have no money and no timeline for when that changes. Applications can be submitted at dcseu.com/solar-for-all, but nothing is moving. For most DC homeowners right now, the free solar PPA is the only option that actually gets panels on your roof.
What both programs have in common
Before getting into the differences, here's what surprises most homeowners: both Solar for All and a free PPA work almost identically on the surface. In both cases, a solar company installs panels on your roof at no cost to you. You pay nothing upfront. You sign a 20-year contract. The panels stay on your roof for the duration — and if you sell your home, the contract transfers to the new owner, who inherits both the system and the savings.
The fundamental structure is the same. What differs is who pays for it, who qualifies, and — critically right now — which one is actually available.
Program 1: Solar for All DC
Solar for All is a DC government program administered through the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU). It was created to bring solar to income-qualified DC households — families most burdened by high energy costs — at no cost. The goal is to cut electricity bills by 50% for 100,000 DC households by 2032.
The program is funded through a combination of DC government appropriations and, until recently, federal government money. Approved solar contractors — including established local installers — perform the installations on the program's behalf.
Who qualifies for Solar for All?
Eligibility is income-based. You qualify if your household income is at or below 80% of DC's Area Median Income, or if your household is already enrolled in a qualifying assistance program such as SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, WAP, or SSI. Unlike the free PPA, renters can also participate in Solar for All through community solar subscriptions tied to their Pepco account — no roof required, no landlord permission needed.
The problem with Solar for All right now
In 2026, Solar for All lost its federal government funding. The program still exists on paper, DCSEU still administers it, and income-qualified homeowners can still check their status at the DCSEU website. But without active federal funding, installations are not moving forward. Solar companies that were approved contractors for the program — including some well-known local installers — are unable to take new Solar for All customers right now.
If a solar company tells you they can sign you up for Solar for All today, ask them specifically how installations are being funded. Given the current funding gap, any company making firm promises about Solar for All timelines should be pressed on this question before you sign anything.
Program 2: The free solar PPA
A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a private contract between you and a solar company. The solar company installs panels on your roof at no cost. You pay nothing upfront and nothing per month. Your Pepco bill drops dramatically — often to just the mandatory ~$22/month customer charge — because the panels are producing most or all of your electricity.
The solar company owns the system. In return for the free installation, they collect the SREC income your panels generate. DC SRECs currently pay around $370 per certificate, and a 10kW system generates roughly 11 SRECs per year — that SREC income is what makes a free installation financially viable for the solar company. You get $0 per kWh electricity. They get the SREC income. Both sides benefit.
Like Solar for All, you sign a 20-year contract. The panels stay on your roof. If you sell your home, the contract transfers to the new homeowner, who inherits the locked-in electricity rate along with the system.
Who qualifies for a free PPA?
There is no income limit. The free PPA is available to most DC homeowners regardless of what they earn. The requirements are about your home and your Pepco account:
- You own your home — renters cannot sign a PPA
- Your roof is in good condition
- Your roof has adequate sun exposure — south or west facing is ideal
- Your home is on the Pepco grid
- Pepco approves grid interconnection for your address
The Pepco interconnection approval is the step most companies skip over in their pitch. In some DC neighborhoods, the local grid infrastructure needs upgrades before solar can connect. A reputable company checks this before making promises. If a company skips this step, ask about it directly before signing. Read more about DC grid issues blocking solar installs →
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Solar for All | Free PPA |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | DC government via DCSEU | Private solar company |
| Available now? | Not currently — funding gap | Yes — available in 2026 |
| Income requirement | Yes — ≤80% AMI or assistance program | None — open to all homeowners |
| Must own home | No — renters via community solar | Yes — homeowners only |
| Upfront cost | $0 | $0 |
| Monthly payment | $0 | $0 |
| Contract length | 20 years | 20 years |
| Panels stay on roof | Yes — obligation for contract term | Yes — obligation for contract term |
| Transfers when you sell | Yes — new owner assumes contract | Yes — new owner assumes contract |
| You own the system | No | No |
| SREC income | Goes to program | Goes to solar company |
| Pepco bill impact | Reduced up to 50% | Reduced to ~$22 customer charge |
| Availability after 2026 | Dependent on future funding | 2026 likely last year at $0/kWh |
The honest conclusion for DC homeowners in 2026
If you are an income-qualified DC homeowner who would have been a good fit for Solar for All — you are not without options. The free PPA is structurally very similar, it works right now, and it has no income requirement. The main thing you give up is the possibility of a government-backed program returning with funding — but with no timeline on when or whether that happens, waiting for Solar for All to restart is a bet on an unknown future.
For homeowners who do not qualify for Solar for All — or who wouldn't have qualified — the free PPA is straightforwardly the answer. It is available now, installations typically complete within 3–6 months of signing, and 2026 is the last year it will be offered at $0 per kWh. Starting in 2027, PPAs in DC are expected to shift to 5–9 cents per kWh as the federal tax credit schedule that makes free PPAs viable winds down.
Solar for All may return if federal funding is restored — but there is no announced timeline. You can call DCSEU directly to ask, and they will tell you honestly that they have no money right now and no date for when that changes. You can submit an application at dcseu.com/solar-for-all and wait — but don't count on movement anytime soon. No solar company has the ability to enroll you in Solar for All or speed up the process.
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