Solar made simple, local, and trusted
Reliable information. Local companies. Better solar.
Our Mission
Our mission is to raise the standard for residential solar in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. We do this by educating homeowners, partnering with trusted community groups, and holding solar companies accountable so families can go solar with confidence.
Education
Provide clear, reliable information on solar so homeowners can make confident decisions.
Outreach
Partner with trusted community groups to make solar accessible in every corner of the DMV.
Raising The Standard
Raise the bar by promoting ethical practices and holding companies accountable.
About The Empower Coalition
We started the Empower Solar Coalition to make going solar in DC and Maryland simple, safe, and fair. Too many families have run into pushy sales tactics or companies that disappear after the job is done. Too often, government and large groups havenāt provided the clear, accountable solar information people need. Weāre here to change that.
Our vision is a solar market built on trust. We want city leaders to support growth with clear rules and outreach, local installers to do great work at a fair price, and homeowners to feel confident every step of the way.
Our mission is to help homeowners move from being āsoldā solar to actively choosing it because they understand the benefits and know they can trust the companies involved.
Why Did You Join The Coalition?
Sam Martins
Jesse Parker
Jenny Simon
John Dunkan
Explore Your Options with Confidence
Solar Energy
Cut your electric bill and power your home with clean, renewable energy from the sun.
Battery Backup
Keep the lights on during outages and store extra solar power for when you need it most.
Energy Efficiency
Use less energy and save more money by making your home smarter and more efficient.
100%
Satisfaction
Guarantee
Our Guarantee
We promise youāll get the best service, equipment, and support available. From your first conversation to long after your system is installed, we stand behind our work. If something isnāt right, weāll make it rightābecause going solar should give you confidence, not stress.
FAQ
Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity for your home. If you produce more than you use, Pepco gives you credit on your bill through net metering.
If your roof is in good shape with at least 10ā15 years left, youāre fine. If not, itās best to handle roofing and solar at the same time.
In DC, the permitting process is the longest partāit can take a few months. The actual installation is usually 1ā2 days for solar, and about a day for batteries.
If you own your solar panels, you can sell them with your home just like any other upgrade. If you financed your system, you can either pay off the loan at closing or transfer it to the new homeowner, depending on your lenderās terms. And if you went solar through a no-cost program, simply let your installer knowāyou can usually transfer the contract to the new owner.
Homeowners who purchase solar in DC can earn Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs).
An SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Credit) is a certificate you earn for producing clean electricity with your solar panels. In DC, every time your system generates 1,000 kilowatt-hours (about what an average home uses in a month), you get 1 SREC. Utilities are required to buy these credits to meet the cityās renewable energy goals, which means you can sell them for cash.
So, if you own your solar system in DC, SRECs become an extra source of income on top of your monthly bill savings.
With a standard solar system connected through net metering, your panels shut off when the grid goes down. This is a safety requirement so electricity doesnāt flow back into the lines while utility crews are making repairs. That means your home wonāt have power during an outage unless you also have a battery backup system.
The short answer: no, you donāt need to clean your panels! Our rain in the DMV often does the job for you. That said, if we ever go through a dry spell, you can spray your panels off with a hose. (Avoid using chemical products like Windex or harsh scrub brushes to avoid scratching the panels.) If itās not safe to get up there and clean them yourself, you can call a professional to come clean them for you.
Yes. The no-cost PPA in DC isnāt too good to be trueāitās how the local solar market is designed. DC has some of the strongest incentives in the country, and solar companies use those incentives to cover the cost of your system. In return, you agree to buy the power your panels produce at a lower rate than Pepco. You donāt pay for the equipment, installation, or maintenance. The company takes on that responsibility, and you get guaranteed savings on your bill.