Is balcony (plug-in) solar legal in District of Columbia?
Not yet. B26-0602 (GRID Amendment Act of 2026) is moving through the legislature. Public hearing held Mar 26, 2026. The Committee on Transportation and the Environment marked it up 4-0 on Nov 4, 2026, and an amendment was approved by voice vote at the Council's Nov 10, 2026 legislative meeting; no first-reading vote is recorded yet. Lapses if not adopted by noon on Jan 2, 2027. Until a law takes effect, your utility's normal rules for connecting solar apply.
District of Columbia law
Bill movingState law: not yet. A bill is moving through the legislature.
- Bill
- B26-0602 (GRID Amendment Act of 2026)
- Progress
- Public hearing held Mar 26, 2026. The Committee on Transportation and the Environment marked it up 4-0 on Nov 4, 2026, and an amendment was approved by voice vote at the Council's Nov 10, 2026 legislative meeting; no first-reading vote is recorded yet. Lapses if not adopted by noon on Jan 2, 2027.
Federal bill, not law
The federal bill: H.R. 10851
H.R. 10851, the Socket Full of Sunshine Act, was introduced in the House by Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ-8) on Oct 19, 2026 and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. It has no cosponsors and has not passed the House or the Senate.
If it became law, it would require every state to consider rules for plug-in solar devices of up to 1,200 W, such as dropping interconnection agreements and utility approval, fees, insurance and extra equipment. Considering is not adopting: even if it passes, it would not make plug-in solar legal in District of Columbia by itself.
It would also offer grants to states that set up rebate programs for low- and moderate-income households. None of this exists unless the bill passes, and even then a rebate in District of Columbia would depend on the state applying for a grant.
Sources: H.R. 10851 on congress.gov (status), the introduced text (govinfo.gov). Status checked .
More about plug-in solar in District of Columbia
How much would a plug-in solar kit save in District of Columbia?
It depends on which way the panels face, their tilt, how much of the power your home uses as it is made, and your utility's rate. The average residential electricity price in District of Columbia was 24.2¢/kWh (our 12-month average of EIA data, Aug 2025–Jul 2026). The calculator on canipluginsolar.com models it hour by hour for your address.
Before you buy a kit in District of Columbia
Neighboring states
District of Columbia borders only 2 states. Nearest others in its Census division (South Atlantic): Delaware (no law yet), West Virginia (no law yet).
Planning a kit in District of Columbia? Get your step-by-step checklist, from the law's own wording.
Renting in District of Columbia? Write a letter to your landlord, matched to District of Columbia's rules.