Guiding Renewable Interconnection and Distribution (GRID) Amendment Act of 2026
Latest Action: March 3, 2026
Balcony Solar in District of Columbia
Balcony solar bill pending
Verified as of September 25, 2026
Everything you need to know about plug-in balcony solar in District of Columbia: legal status, tracked bills, statutory wattage limits, utility interconnection rules, and expected monthly solar production.
Legislation Summary
- Status
- Balcony solar bill pending
- Wattage allowed
- Not yet verified
- Wattage tiers
- Not yet verified
- HOA / Condo Protections
- Not yet verified
- Plug-in Battery Storage
- Not yet verified
- Renters & Tenant Rights
- Not yet verified
- Permit & Electrician DIY Status
- Not yet verified
- Utility Interconnection
- Not yet verified
- Bill
- B26-0602 - Guiding Renewable Interconnection and Distribution (GRID) Amendment Act of 2026
- Date passed
- Not yet verified
- Date effective
- Not yet verified
Legal Status: Can You Plug In Solar in District of Columbia?
Current Disposition: Balcony solar bill pending
District of Columbia Council Bill B26-0602, the Guiding Renewable Interconnection and Distribution (GRID) Amendment Act of 2026, was introduced on February 24, 2026 by Councilmember Allen with six co-introducers, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, which held a hearing on March 26, 2026. The bill would exempt portable solar generation devices from utility interconnection and net metering requirements; the introduced text sets no watt limit. In the absence of enactment, small solar systems remain governed by DC PSC Title 15 DCMR Chapter 40 rules and Pepco Small Generator Interconnection Procedures.
Tracked Legislation in District of Columbia
Estimated Solar Energy Production in District of Columbia
How much electricity will a standard plug-in solar kit produce on a balcony or patio in District of Columbia? Below are monthly estimates based on local insolation levels:
Standard 400W Kit
~595 kWh
Estimated annual electricity production
Dual-Panel 800W Kit
~1188 kWh
Estimated annual electricity production
| Month | Daily Peak Sun Hours | 400W Kit (1 Panel) | 800W Kit (2 Panels) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3.6 hrs | 38 kWh | 77 kWh |
| Feb | 4.2 hrs | 40 kWh | 81 kWh |
| Mar | 4.9 hrs | 52 kWh | 105 kWh |
| Apr | 5.3 hrs | 55 kWh | 109 kWh |
| May | 5.4 hrs | 58 kWh | 115 kWh |
| Jun | 5.6 hrs | 58 kWh | 116 kWh |
| Jul | 5.5 hrs | 59 kWh | 117 kWh |
| Aug | 5.5 hrs | 59 kWh | 117 kWh |
| Sep | 5.2 hrs | 54 kWh | 107 kWh |
| Oct | 4.7 hrs | 50 kWh | 100 kWh |
| Nov | 3.8 hrs | 39 kWh | 78 kWh |
| Dec | 3.1 hrs | 33 kWh | 66 kWh |
| Annual Total | -- | ~595 kWh | ~1188 kWh |
Estimates derived from historical National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL NSRDB) solar radiation averages across weather stations in District of Columbia, modeling an 86% system performance ratio.
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While balcony solar kits are designed for plug-in operation, municipal permitting processes indicate solar-friendly administrative environments:
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Municipalities with automated, instant online rooftop & storage permits.
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Incentives, Solar Rights & Grid Barriers
State Incentives & Solar Rights
- B26-0602 would exempt portable solar devices from interconnection and net metering requirements; the introduced text sets no watt limit
- Utilities prohibited from requiring prior approval, charging fees, or mandating extra controls for portable systems
- Proposed shield from utility liability for damage caused by a portable device
- Robust Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) market under DC Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
Utility Barriers & Interconnection Rules
- B26-0602 is in the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, which held a hearing on March 26, 2026
- Portable devices would have to meet the most recent National Electrical Code, be certified by UL or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory, and include a feature that stops the device energizing the building during a power outage
- Current Pepco Small Generator Interconnection Procedures require formal Level 1 application and review for hardwired systems
Official District of Columbia Energy Resources
- Council of the District of Columbia (primary)
Legislative depth
Portable solar exempt from mandatory interconnection and net metering
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a portable solar generation device shall not be subject to interconnection or net metering requirements unless the owner of a portable solar generation device chooses to voluntarily enter into an interconnection or net metering agreement.
B26-0602, Sec 2 (new Sec 206a(e)(1)), p. 12
Electric company prohibitions
The Electric Company may not require a customer using a portable solar generation device to: Obtain approval before installing or using the system; Pay any fee or charge related to the system; or Install any additional controls or equipment beyond what is integrated into the system.
B26-0602, Sec 2 (new Sec 206a(e)(2)), p. 12
No utility liability
The Electric Company is not liable for any damage or injury caused by a portable solar generation device.
B26-0602, Sec 2 (new Sec 206a(e)(3)), p. 12
Safety requirements
In order to ensure safe operation and reduce impacts on the grid, portable solar generation devices must: Meet the most recent version of the National Electrical Code and be certified by Underwriters Laboratories or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory; Include a device or feature that prevents the system from energizing the building's electrical system during a power outage.