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The license a District of Columbia solar installer needs
DC has no separate solar license: electrical work on a PV system must be done by a DLCP-licensed electrician (Board of Industrial Trades), and the installing contractor must hold a DC contractor license, which DLCP says homeowners should verify in SCOUT.[1]
A ten-minute installer check
- Look up the company's license by number with the official lookup above, and confirm the name and address match the contract.
- Ask whether the crew lead holds the NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification (check it in the NABCEP directory[3]). It is voluntary but shows tested experience.
- Get at least three written quotes for the same system size, with the price per watt, panel and inverter models and warranty terms spelled out.
- Ask who will handle the utility interconnection application and the permit, and who pays if the utility requires a meter or panel upgrade.
- Never sign on the first visit; check your cancellation rights and the financing terms, including dealer fees.
Installers we have verified
We only list a company after checking its license record ourselves, and we never show prices or star ratings for installers. No District of Columbia installers are listed yet; use the checks above for any company you are considering.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a solar company's license in District of Columbia?
Use the official lookup: Official license lookup. Search by license number, which should be on the contract and the company's ads.
Can I cancel a solar contract after signing?
Often, yes. For sales made at your home, the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule applies: you can cancel until midnight of the third business day after the sale (Saturdays count) for sales of $25 or more made at your home.[4]
sources
[ 4 ]Every number on this page links to one of these sources. Dates show when we last checked each one.
- Solar Installation Tax Credit Expiration - DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (Oct 6, 2025)dlcp.dc.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026
- SCOUT - DLCP online license/permit systemscout.dcra.dc.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026
- NABCEP directoriesdirectories.nabcep.org · checked Nov 5, 2026
- 16 CFR Part 429, Cooling-Off Ruleecfr.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026