Uprise Solar

05/21/2026

A lot of people in DC still think “free solar” sounds fake.

Honestly, we get it.

But the reality is that DC’s solar incentives have allowed thousands of homeowners to go solar with little to no upfront cost through programs that lower their monthly electric bills instead of adding another payment.

The problem is that this may be the final year these true $0 solar programs exist the way they do today.

Changes to the federal tax credits that help fund these projects are likely coming, which means DC will probably start looking more like Maryland and the rest of the country where solar still makes sense, but usually comes with higher PPA rates or traditional financing.

Meanwhile Pepco rates have jumped dramatically over the last year and summer electric bills are about to hit hard.

That’s why you’re suddenly seeing so much solar around DC right now. People are trying to lock this in before the incentives change.

If you’ve been curious about solar, now is probably the time to at least see your options while the current programs still exist.

And if you already have solar and love it, tell your friends. Seriously. A lot of people still have no idea these programs are real.

Free solar in Washington, DC may be ending soon as federal business tax credits change. Learn why $0 PPA solar programs could disappear, what it means for homeowners and businesses, and why now may be the best time to lock in lower energy costs before incentives change.

05/08/2026

DC homeowners are about to feel the real impact of rising electricity rates this summer.

A $180 summer power bill from last year could easily be $250+ now, even with the same usage. Since around 2020, total electricity costs in DC have roughly doubled for many families when you combine supply and delivery charges.

The problem is that rate increases are easy to ignore in the spring. Then the heat hits, the AC turns on, and suddenly the bill shock feels very real.

That’s one big reason more homeowners are looking into solar now. Many of our customers already protected themselves from a large portion of these increases by locking in a lower, more predictable energy cost.

And honestly, the window for no-cost solar in DC may not stay this strong forever.

We wrote a breakdown explaining what’s happening, why bills are climbing, and what homeowners are starting to do about it.

Read the full blog here 👇
https://www.uprisesolar.com/blog/why-your-next-pepco-bill-might-shock-you-this-summer/

04/28/2026

We were fortunate enough to be on Good Morning Washington talking about something that’s not getting enough attention.

Electric rates in DC keep going up. Pepco raises rates, the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia approves it, and homeowners are left with higher bills.

So what can you actually do about it?

One option is DC’s no-cost solar programs, often called “free solar.” For a lot of homeowners, it’s a way to lower your bill without paying upfront and stop being fully exposed to utility rate increases.

That’s what we walked through in this segment.

If you’ve been seeing your bill climb and wondering what your options are, this is worth a watch.

https://youtu.be/ED7gifrLSqA

04/16/2026

Most people don’t think about their roof until there’s a problem.

It’s usually something like, “ahh… there’s a leak, now I have to deal with this.”

But if you’re thinking about going solar, your roof suddenly matters a lot more.

Solar systems last 25+ years. If your roof doesn’t, you could end up paying thousands to remove and reinstall everything later.

We put together a simple guide for DC homeowners:

How long your roof should last before going solar
When you should replace it first
What happens if you wait too long

Read it here: https://www.uprisesolar.com/blog/should-you-replace-roof-before-solar/

04/09/2026

A lot of people in DC are asking the same question right now:

Why does my electric bill keep going up?

You’ll hear explanations about demand, infrastructure, even data centers.

Those things matter.

But here’s the part most people don’t realize:

Rates don’t go up unless they’re approved.

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia is the group that approves rate increases for Pepco.

And over the past few years, those increases have added up.

At some point, it’s fair to ask:
Are these decisions really being made with residents in mind?

A lot of people feel like they’re not.

If your bill has gone up even though your usage hasn’t, you’re not imagining it.

That’s the impact of rate decisions behind the scenes.

The good news is, you’re not powerless here.

You can:
• Submit a public comment to the PSC
• Listen in on rate case hearings
• Contact your DC Councilmember
• Get involved locally

And if you’re trying to figure out how to protect yourself from rising costs, there are options worth exploring.

Happy to talk through it if you’re curious.

04/02/2026

If you live in DC, you’ve probably experienced this…

You sit down for dinner…
**knock knock**

A solar salesperson at your door asking if you’ve thought about putting panels on your roof.

It happens all the time in neighborhoods like Brookland, Petworth, Takoma, and Capitol Hill.

A lot of people find it annoying. Totally fair.

But here’s the truth most people don’t realize:

Solar in Washington DC is one of the best markets in the country.

DC has a program called **SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits).**

Every time a solar system produces electricity, it generates credits that utilities are required to buy.

Because the DC program is so strong, those credits can be worth thousands of dollars per year.

That’s why something unusual is possible here.

Many DC families can install solar with no upfront cost.

Investors pay to build the system and collect the SRECs.
Homeowners simply benefit from the electricity and lower Pepco bills.

That’s the real reason so many companies are talking about solar in DC.

At Uprise Solar and Roofing, we live and work here, and we’re happy to show homeowners the real numbers and whether their roof qualifies.

No pressure. Just honest information.

Curious if your home qualifies for DC’s no-cost solar program?

Drop a comment or send us a message and we’ll take a look.

https://www.uprisesolar.com/blog/why-solar-door-knockers-dc-solar-incentives/

03/19/2026

When researching solar in DC, due diligence is key. One of our recent customers started where many do—Reddit—and found that the community consistently pointed to one name: Uprise Solar and Roofing.

The results of their project challenge the myth that DC permitting is a "black hole." By working with an experienced local team, they saw:

Speed: Building permits and Pepco approvals were secured in just 2.5 weeks.

ROI Shift: A realization that DC's unique incentives bring the payback period down from a projected 15 years to just 4 years.

Collaboration: An install team that "rolled with the punches," adjusting panel rotation and placement on-the-fly to optimize the roof.

In the District, solar isn't just an environmental choice—it’s a logistical and financial "no-brainer" when executed by a team that knows the local landscape.

Watch the full story to see how we streamline the transition to clean energy. https://youtu.be/DvEbTQbk41c?si=Id0RVXxo57Ql0hRl

When I started researching solar companies in DC, the name Uprise kept coming up on Reddit. After going through the process myself, I can see why.From the pe...

03/12/2026

Thinking about going solar but not sure if your roof is ready?

One of the most common questions we get in DC is:

“Do I need a new roof before installing solar?”

The honest answer is… not always.

If your roof is under 10 years old and in good condition, you’re usually fine. But DC flat roofs can be tricky. Water pooling and slow leaks are common, especially on rowhomes. A roof can look fine from the street and still have issues underneath.

We just published a breakdown explaining:
• When you should replace your roof first
• What happens if you already have solar and need a new roof
• How solar panel removal and reinstall actually works

If you’re even thinking about solar this year, it’s worth a read.

Thinking about solar? Learn when you need a new roof before installing solar and how roof replacement works with existing panels.

03/10/2026

Our most recent installation today in NoMa Washington DC.

03/10/2026

Snow melts. Then the leak shows up.

This is the time of year we get the most roof leak calls. It is not the snow itself, it is the freeze and thaw cycle. Water gets into small seams, freezes, expands, and slowly opens up bigger gaps.

If you have solar, it can be even more complicated. Not every roofer wants to deal with panels.

We handle both roofing and solar, so we can find the real source and fix it the right way.

If you noticed a ceiling stain after the last storm, do not ignore it. It rarely fixes itself.

Read more on our blog.

https://www.uprisesolar.com/blog/roof-leaks-after-snow-ice-dc-md-va/