2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 8 - Environmental and Animal Control and Protection › Chapter 17N - Sustainable Energy › Subchapter II - Management of Sustainable Energy Programs › § 8–1774.16. Solar for All Program

§ 8–1774.16. Solar for All Program.
(a)(1) There is established the Solar for All Program ("Program") to increase the access of seniors, small local businesses, nonprofits, and low-income households in the District to the benefits of solar power.
(2) The Program shall provide the long-term financial benefits of solar energy production to at least 100,000 District low-income households in an amount equivalent to at least 50% of the District's average residential electric bills for calendar year 2016 by December 31, 2032. The Department shall, to the extent feasible, meet this goal by reducing low-income households' electric or gas bills by at least 50%. The financial benefits of roof replacements, or other capital improvements made to support the installation of a solar energy system, may be included in calculating the long-term financial benefits of solar energy production provided to low-income households.
(b) The Program shall be administered by DOEE and operate until the end of Fiscal Year 2032. In administering the Program, DOEE shall coordinate with the Sustainable Energy Utility.
(c) From Fiscal Year 2017 through Fiscal Year 2032, the Program shall be funded annually from the Renewable Energy Development Fund established by § 34-1436.
(d) The funding allocated in subsection (c) of this section may be used to supplement programs supporting the creation of new solar energy sources in the District through the Sustainable Energy Utility contract established by § 8-1774.01.
(e)(1) By February 1, 2017, DOEE shall develop, publish on its website, and submit to the Council a plan to implement the Program. The plan shall include:
(A) A description of programs to be implemented by DOEE that would target seniors, small local businesses, nonprofits, and low-income households in the District;
(B) An estimated timeline for implementation of the programs described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; and
(C) Annual benchmarks for complying with subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(2) If DOEE revises or updates the plan, DOEE shall publish on its website the revision or update within 30 days of its completion.
(f) Beginning December 1, 2017, DOEE shall publish on its website and submit to the Council an annual report on the expenditure of the funds allocated to the Program, the amount of progress toward achieving the benchmarks established in subsection (e)(1)(C) of this section, and the number of solar systems installed pursuant to this section in the previous fiscal year.
(g) For the purposes of this section, the term:
(1) "Area median income" means:
(A) For a household of 4 persons, the area median income for a household of 4 persons in the Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area as set forth in the periodic calculation provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development;
(B) For a household of 3 persons, 90% of the area median income for a household of 4 persons, as described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph;
(C) For a household of 2 persons, 80% of the area median income for a household of 4 persons, as described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph;
(D) For a household of one person, 70% of the area median income for a household of 4 persons, as described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; and
(E) For a household of more than 4 persons, the area median income for a household of 4 persons, as described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, increased by 10% for each person in the household in excess of 4 persons (for example, the area median income for a household of 5 persons shall be 110% of the area median income for a household of 4 persons, as described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, and the area median income for a household of 6 persons shall be 120% of the area median income for a household of 4 persons, as described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph).
(2) "Energy burden" means the percentage of household income spent on home energy bills.
(3) "Low-income" means a household income equal to, or less than, 80% of the area median income.
(4) "Solar system" means a solar photovoltaic or solar thermal system.
(Oct. 22, 2008, D.C. Law 17-250, § 216; as added Oct. 8, 2016, D.C. Law 21-154, § 3(b), 63 DCR 10138; Dec. 13, 2017, D.C. Law 22-33, § 6012, 64 DCR 7652; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 6062, 65 DCR 9388.)
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 6062 of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 6062 of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 6012(a) of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-167, Oct. 24, 2017, 64 DCR 10802).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 6012(a) of Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2017 (D.C. Act 22-104, July 20, 2017, 64 DCR 7032).