Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) for Residents

The District Department of the Environment's Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) supports the adoption of solar technology on properties throughout the District of Columbia.

On February 23, 2009, the program began providing rebates to eligible applicants to assist in the installation of a solar (or photovoltaic) renewable energy system. Projects may include, but are not limited to, the installation of systems on single and multi-family dwellings, as well as commercial and institutional buildings.

Incentive Structure 

Solar Thermal incentives are based on a flat rate percentage of installed system cost:

• Solar Thermal (water heating) system 20% of total install cost up to $5,000
• Solar Thermal (space heating) system 20% of total install cost up to $2,000
• Solar Thermal (combination) system 20% of total install cost up to $5,000

Rebates for solar thermal systems are capped at a maximum of $5,000 for residential and $7,000 for nonresidential. Only one REIP rebate may be requested per unique installation address, per program year.

Photovoltaic incentives are based on the combined system rating in kilowatts of Direct Current (DC) output:

• $1.50 for each of the first 3,000 installed watts of capacity
• $1.00 for each of the next 7,000 installed watts of capacity
• $0.50 for each of the next 10,000 installed watts of capacity

Rebates for all systems are capped at a maximum of $16,500 (at 20 kilowatts capacity or greater) for each applicant site per program year.

The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis and incentive requests are dependent upon funding availability.

• REIP Tier Structure FAQs [PDF]
• Waiting List for Projects Not Yet Funded [PDF]
• Waiting List for Projects Not Yet Funded - Thermal [PDF]

Apply for Renewable Energy Incentives