WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 14, 2016) -Pepco's effort to make it easier, faster and less expensive for customers to access solar has been hailed as a national model by the Smart Electric Power Alliance, an influential solar organization.

SEPA named Pepco 2016 Utility of the Year and recognized the company for promoting solar, creating programs that drive smart utility growth and expanding access to solar for customers.   

"We're pleased that our work to facilitate and manage the growth and integration of solar into the electrical grid is being recognized," said Dave Velazquez, President and CEO, Pepco Holdings. "We remain committed to listening to what our customers need and want, and streamlining our systems to be responsive."

Pepco Holdings, an Exelon Company, has 32,000 solar systems online and 10,000 systems expected to power up in the near future. It receives about 2,000 residential interconnection applications monthly.

Pepco, which provides service to Washington, D.C. and suburban Maryland, was selected for the award by a seven-member panel of judges with diverse experience in the utility and solar industries. Pepco and winners in four other categories were honored at an awards ceremony yesterday at Solar Power International (SPI) in Las Vegas.

"Pepco is doing the hard, behind-the-scenes technical work that is essential for making integrating solar increasingly easy and seamless for customers and installers," said Julia Hamm, SEPA President and CEO. "What we see here - and with our other award winners - is the competitive economics of solar and ever-growing customer demand driving a new willingness among utilities and their technology partners to innovate and collaborate on solutions that benefit customers and the grid."

As demand for solar has increased, Pepco has created new and innovative solutions that make it easier for customers to connect to the grid. Customers can submit their application online and track its progress through the approval process. Customers may also allow their installation contractor access to information through an online portal which can help expedite the solar process.

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