Connecting Your System to the Grid

We support renewable energy and partner with our customers to ensure safe and reliable interconnection of renewable energy into the electric grid.

After you have researched and selected the renewable generating system that best suits your needs and selected an installation contractor, you or your contractor will need to apply to have your system interconnected to Pepco’s electric grid, pay an application fee, have your new system installed and then inspected by the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), and have a net-capable Pepco electric meter installed at your premise. This complete interconnection process takes approximately 80 business days. Interconnecting ensures that you will continue to have a supply of electricity coming into your home, even when your solar panels are not generating power – at night or when clouds, shade or snow limit generation. The net-capable meter ensures you will receive Pepco bill credits for generation your premise does not use and your system feeds into the grid.

The application process has several key steps to ensure a successful interconnection to the grid. We have provided these simple and easy-to-follow steps to help guide you with the process. You can also download our Small Generator Interconnections Checklist for the District of Columbia, Small Generator Interconnection Application Checklist for Maryland, or Net Energy Metering and Small Generator Interconnections Checklist for the District of Columbia.

District of Columbia

Download a printable PDF of the application steps and timeline.

Maryland

Download a printable PDF of the application steps and timeline.

Completing the Right Application

Your interconnection process starts with completing an maximum output, expressed in kilowatts, of an electric generator under specific conditions designated by the manufacturer, as indicated on the nameplate physically attached to the generator.

INVERTER NAMEPLATE CAPACITY	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT LEVEL	MARYLAND APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT LEVELS
20 KW OR LESS AND INVERTER-BASED	LEVEL 1	LEVEL 1
2 MW OR LESS RADIAL DISTRIBUTION CIRCUIT OR SPOT NETWORK SERVING ONE CUSTOMER	LEVEL 2	LEVEL 2
AREA NETWORKS (50 KW OR LESS) RADIAL DISTRIBUTION CIRCUITS (10 MW OR LESS)	LEVEL 3	LEVEL 3
LESS THAN 10 MW AND NOT LEVEL 1, 2 OR 3	LEVEL 4	LEVEL 4
REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICATIONS, LEVELS 1, 2, 3, AND 4	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA NET ENERGY METERING CONTRACT

For customers interested in community energy renewable facilities (CREF) serving multiple end users, the Community Renewable Energy Act (CREA) of 2013 established a community net energy metering program in the District of Columbia. Click here for more information on CREF.

District of Columbia Net Energy Metering Contract

Net Energy Metering applicants in the District of Columbia also must complete a Net Energy Metering Contract. This form is available as part of Pepco’s application process.

Application Fees

Once your application has been received, Pepco’s application system automatically determines if a fee is required and calculates it based on the jurisdiction, system size, and application level. The online system automatically creates and emails an invoice to the contractor or customer.

NAMEPLATE CAPACITY	APPLICATION FEE DC	APPLICATION FEE MD
LEVEL 1 20 KW OR LESS AND INVERTOR-BASED	NONE	NONE
LEVEL 2 2 MW OR LESS RADIAL DISTRIBUTION CIRCUIT OR SPOT NETWORK SERVING ONE CUSTOMER	$500	$50 = $1 + per AC INVERTER RATING KW
LEVEL 3 AREA NETWORKS (50 KW OR LESS) RADIAL DISTRIBUTION CIRCUITS (10 MW OR LESS)	$500	$100 + $2 per AC INVERTER RATING kw
LEVEL 4 LESS THAN 10 MW AND NOT LEVEL 1, 2 OR 3	$1,000	$100 + $2 per AC INVERTER RATING kw
AGGREGATED NET ENERGY METERING (ANEM)		NONE
COMBINED HAT AND POWER		SAME AS FOR LEVEL 2,3 OR 4

Other Forms

Pepco will communicate with you during the application process if an Interconnection Feasibility Study Agreement or Interconnection Facilities Study Agreement is needed.