Uprise Solar

09/10/2026

Going completely off-grid with solar sounds great in theory. But does it actually make sense for a home in Washington, DC?

Usually, no.

Long power outages are relatively uncommon here, DC row homes have limited space for batteries, and most rooftops aren't large enough to produce all the solar energy you would need to reliably recharge a massive battery system year-round.

And going truly off-grid isn't just adding one battery. Depending on the home, you could need five or six batteries and potentially spend $60,000 to $80,000 on battery storage alone.

That doesn't mean we're against batteries. Far from it.

A properly sized battery can be fantastic for keeping your refrigerator, internet, lights, sump pump, and other important loads running during an outage.

We think the more interesting future for DC is solar + batteries + microgrids working together with the electrical grid, rather than every homeowner trying to build their own miniature power plant.

We broke down the economics, space requirements, HVAC loads, battery backup, and why microgrids could be a much smarter approach for cities like DC in our latest blog.

**The future of energy in Washington, DC probably isn't off-grid. It's a smarter grid.**

Read the full article: https://www.uprisesolar.com/blog/going-off-grid-solar-washington-dc/

09/03/2026

Would you turn down 50% off your grocery bill because the groceries were not completely free?

Of course not. Yet homeowners sometimes reject solar because their roof can only support enough panels to offset 50% or 60% of their electricity use.

Not every home can reach 100%. Roof size, shade, vents, chimneys, and fire-code setbacks all affect how many panels will fit. That does not mean a smaller system has no value.

Partial savings are still savings. The real question is whether the system and financial terms make sense for your home.

Read our latest blog:

If solar covers half your bill, is it still worth it? Learn why a 50% or 60% solar offset can still create meaningful long-term savings.

08/27/2026

Why are Pepco bills so high, even when your electricity use has stayed about the same?

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, DC’s average residential electricity price increased approximately 24% between May 2025 and May 2026. Since January 2020, the price has increased approximately 105%.

Regional data centers are part of the reason, but they are not the whole story. Power plant retirements, limited new generation, transmission expenses, and infrastructure investments are also driving prices higher.

We broke down what is happening, why data centers in Northern Virginia affect DC customers, and what homeowners can do to reduce their exposure to future rate increases.

Read the full article:
https://www.uprisesolar.com/blog/dc-electricity-bills-up-40-percent-what-really-changed/

Qualifying DC homeowners can also still access Uprise’s $0 solar program for a limited time. We can review your roof and Pepco usage to show you whether it makes sense for your home.

08/20/2026

What does “breezy” mean to someone who went through three general contractors while renovating a house?

For Giang Nguyen, it describes her experience working with Uprise Solar.

Giang bought her Takoma, DC, home at auction and took on a major renovation filled with unexpected problems, constant decisions, and a few final surprises. By comparison, she said going solar was the easy part.

Her story also spans Vietnam, Germany, Northwestern University, WTOP News, and eventually a historic home in one of DC’s most beautiful neighborhoods.

Read the latest Humans of Uprise story:

After buying and renovating a home in historic Takoma, D.C., WTOP journalist Giang Nguyen found Uprise Solar through a neighborhood Facebook group. She described the experience in one word: breezy.

08/13/2026

🎉 Five years ago, Uprise Solar started with one simple belief: homeowners deserve a better experience.

What began with one customer has grown into a team of 35 people serving more than 700 homeowners across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Along the way we've installed more than 7 megawatts of solar, expanded into roofing, battery storage, EV charging, and home electrification, and earned the trust of our customers through thousands of conversations and hundreds of referrals.

We're especially proud of the people behind the work. From team members who started with no solar experience and grew into industry leaders, to the installers and electricians who make every project possible, this company has always been about people first.

Thank you to every homeowner, employee, partner, and friend who has been part of our journey.

Here's to the next five years. ☀️

👉 Read our story: https://www.uprisesolar.com/blog/five-years-of-uprise-solar/

08/06/2026

Your solar panels do not send all their electricity directly to the power company.

Your home uses the solar energy first. Only the extra electricity gets sent to the grid.

We broke down a real Pepco bill and solar monitoring report from my house to show exactly how it works:

☀️ 644.6 kWh produced
🏠 340.6 kWh used directly by the home
⚡ 304 kWh sent to Pepco
📉 387 kWh left as the net utility balance

This is also why the production shown in your solar app will not match the excess generation on your electric bill. Nothing is missing. Your house used part of the solar energy before it ever reached the utility meter.

Read the full explanation here: https://www.uprisesolar.com/blog/how-solar-energy-and-net-metering-work/

07/30/2026

Meet Mike and Hillary, one of our customers in Trinidad, DC.

After returning to Washington, Mike and Hillary found a strong community, a home they loved, and a rooftop with excellent solar potential.

Since installing solar, their system has produced more electricity than their household uses. They have not paid for electricity since the installation, and they received a Pepco check for excess energy sent back to the grid.

“It is definitely worth considering for full-sun rooftops. There is real cost-saving potential, plus it is good for the environment.”

Read Mike and Hillary’s story and learn why he chose to own his system:
https://www.uprisesolar.com/blog/humans-of-uprise-trinidad-solar/

Meet Mike and Hilliary, a Trinidad DC solar couple whose system produces more electricity than their household uses, eliminates electricity costs, and earns additional SREC income.

07/23/2026

The Howard Theatre has been part of Washington, DC’s story since 1910. Known as “The Theatre for the People,” it became one of the country’s most important stages for Black performers, welcoming legends including Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and The Supremes.

We’re incredibly proud that Uprise Solar is now part of the Howard Theatre’s next chapter.

Our team installed a solar array and a massive battery storage system at this historic DC landmark. The system will generate clean energy while storing power for when it is needed most, helping bring modern energy technology to a building that has meant so much to this city for more than a century.

There is something special about helping preserve an important piece of DC’s history while preparing it for the future. We are honored to have played a part.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

07/16/2026

It always surprises me when a homeowner has heavy shade but still thinks the roof gets plenty of sun because they see sunlight hit it for part of the day.

The truth is, solar production depends on how much direct sunlight the panels receive, when they receive it, and how shadows move across the roof throughout the year.

Microinverters and modern half-cut solar panels help reduce the impact of partial shade, but they cannot make a shaded panel perform like one in full sun.

We broke down how shading affects solar panels and why good system design matters just as much as the equipment.

Read the full article: https://www.uprisesolar.com/blog/how-shade-affects-solar-panels/

Learn how shade affects solar panel production, even with microinverters and half-cut solar cells, and why proper panel placement still matters.

07/09/2026

🥵 Have your electric bills been getting out of control?

If it feels like you're paying more every summer, you're not imagining it.

Since 2022, residential electricity prices have increased dramatically across the DMV:

⚡ Washington, DC: Nearly 90%
⚡ Maryland: About 65%
⚡ Virginia: About 45%

Add another week of 95 to 100 degree temperatures, and it's no surprise so many homeowners are shocked when they open their power bill.

We took a closer look at what's driving these increases, from rising demand and grid upgrades to the impact of extreme heat, and what homeowners can do to protect themselves from future rate hikes.

Read the full article here:
👉 https://www.uprisesolar.com/blog/rising-electricity-rates-dc-maryland-virginia/

Have you noticed your electric bill increasing over the past few summers? We'd love to hear where you're located and what you've been seeing.