How to Register Your Solar System for DC SRECs: Step-by-Step PSC & GATS Guide
By Team Faseeh Lall
Washington, D.C. has one of the highest-paying Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) markets in the United States. Every time your solar panels produce 1,000 kWh (1 MWh) of clean power, you earn one SREC that can be sold for hundreds of dollars.
However, getting Permission to Operate (PTO) from Pepco does not automatically start your payouts. To convert your solar energy into cash, your array must be certified by the DC Public Service Commission (DC PSC) and registered in the regional tracking platform, PJM-EIS GATS.
Here is the exact step-by-step roadmap to get your system registered and earning.
Key Difference: DC PSC vs. PJM-EIS GATS
DC PSC (State Regulator): Certifies that your solar system meets local legal and environmental standards under the D.C. Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).
PJM-EIS GATS (Accounting Platform): Tracks your actual monthly kilowatt-hour production, mints the SRECs, and allows you to trade them.
Documents You Need Before Applying
Gather these records to avoid application rejections:
System Ownership Proof: Paid invoice or solar loan contract (Leases and PPAs do not qualify; the solar developer owns those SRECs).
Pepco PTO Letter: Official Permission to Operate confirmation.
DC DOB Final Permits: Signed-off electrical and building inspection permits.
Technical Specs: Total system size (kW DC), inverter capacity (kW AC), panel count, and serial numbers.
Revenue-Grade Meter (RGM): Verification of an ANSI C12.1-compliant meter (standard in modern solar inverters like Enphase and SolarEdge).
Secure DC PSC Facility Certification
Access the Portal: Log in to the DC PSC e-filing system and open the RPS Solar Energy Facility Application.
Submit Technical Data: Enter your property address, Commercial Operation Date (COD), inverter ratings, and installer license details.
Upload Proof: Attach your Pepco PTO letter, electrical permits, and meter specification sheet.
Receive Certification Number: Administrative review takes 30 to 60 days. Once approved, the Commission issues your formal DC RPS Certification Number (e.g., DC-XXXXX-SUN-XX)
Register on PJM-EIS GATS
Create an Account: Go to gats.pjm-eis.com and open a Generator / System Owner account.
Register Generator: Select "Register Behind-the-Meter Generator" and input your array specifications and utility account details.
Link DC Certification: Select "District of Columbia" under program eligibility and enter your DC PSC Certification Number.
Wait for Approval: PJM cross-checks your docket with state records, which takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Report Meter Readings & Mint Credits
Automated Sync: Connect your inverter’s monitoring portal (SolarEdge, Enphase) via API for automatic monthly data transmission.
Manual Reporting: If reporting manually, log into GATS between the 1st and 15th of each month to submit cumulative meter readings.
Pitfalls to Avoid
Filing Late: DC RPS rules enforce cut-offs for credit creation. Delaying registration can lead to permanently lost historical generation.
Mismatched Information: Ensure the owner name, address, and system capacity match identically across Pepco, city permits, and GATS.
Offline Monitoring: If your inverter loses Wi-Fi connection, generation reporting pauses and credit minting stops.
Summary
Obtain your Pepco PTO letter and local permits.
Submit your DC PSC application and get your RPS certification number.
Register your system in PJM-GATS.
Set up monthly meter reporting.
Sell your minted SRECs on spot markets or via an aggregator.