Top 5 Best Solar Companies in Washington (2023 Reviews)

How to Save Money When Hiring a Solar Company in Washington

The average price of a complete solar panel system in Washington is around $26,900 before any tax breaks or $18,830 after the federal tax credit is considered. These numbers assume the average per-watt price of $2.69 in Washington and the standard system size required in the state, which is around 10 kilowatts (kW).

The average solar spend in Washington is about 10% higher than the national average. As such, you’ll want to do everything you can to keep the price of your solar arrays to a minimum.

Below, we list a few things you can do when choosing your Washington solar provider to save money and explain how these tips reduce your costs.

• Choose a knowledgeable installer that knows how to take advantage of benefit programs
• Choose a company that carries highly efficient panel brands
• Get quotes from a few companies and compare pricing and features to find the best deal

Take Advantage of Incentives

One of the best ways to reduce your upfront and long-term PV system installation costs is to take advantage of as many tax credits, rebates and other benefit programs as possible. These perks can effectively lower the overall price of your solar conversion and maximize savings over the lifespan of your equipment.

When you’re choosing an installer, it’s wise to pick one that has years of experience serving Washington specifically. Solar providers that are familiar with your location will likely be able to help you take advantage of state benefit programs as well as perks offered by municipalities and individual utility companies.

The table below includes brief information about the incentives available to solar customers in Washington.

Here’s a bit more info on how the Inflation Reduction Act (which includes an extension of the federal tax credit) impacts Washington:

Choose a High-Efficiency Panel Brand

As we’ve mentioned, Washington residents see just over 150 sunny days per year, on average. This is well below the national average and means that more than half of the days each year are cloudy. Cloud coverage can cause solar production to drop by between 10% and 90%, which, of course, isn’t ideal for solar customers in the area.

This is why solar panels with a high efficiency rating are necessary for Washington — they produce more electricity in all conditions, including heavy cloud coverage.

Choosing a solar company that carries brands like Maxeon, Tesla, Panasonic, REC, Enphase and Silfab will help ensure that your panels are efficient enough to offset energy bills in Washington.

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value in Washington?

Yes, installing solar on your home in Washington is expected to increase your property value by around 4.1%.³ In the Evergreen State, where home values average around $452,000, that’s around $18,500 in added value, which is more than in most states.⁴

As far as added value throughout Washington, you’re expected to see greater returns on investment (ROI) in areas where values are naturally higher. The below high-rent areas will likely see the highest ROI:

• Seattle
• Olympia
• Redmond
• Bellevue
• Bellingham
• Kirkland
• Mercer Island
• Brier
• Shoreline
• Renton
• Duvall
• Vancouver

Unfortunately, Washington doesn’t have a solar property tax exemption, so your property taxes will increase as a result of the added value the system provides.

Best National Provider

5/5

National coverageGreat warranty coverageMost efficient panels on the market

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Solar Veteran

5/5

Representatives are experts on local policiesMany years of experienceComprehensive service offerings

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Solar Veteran

4.5/5

Outstanding customer serviceRepresentatives are experts on local policiesMany years of experience

Get Free Quote

Should Washington Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer or DIY?

If you research DIY solar installation costs, it might seem tempting to try installing your system yourself. While it’s true that you can save thousands of dollars by doing the work yourself, in our opinion, it’s often not worth it.

There are a few reasons why we would recommend a professional installation in Washington.

• Roof leaks are more common with DIY installations, and Washington is already at high risk of roof leaks
• Panel efficiency in DIY kits may not produce sufficient energy in Washington’s cloudy weather
• Warranty coverage is crucial in Washington, where solar equipment is expensive, and DIY kits often lack warranty protection

DIY Installations Lead to More Roof Leaks

Roof leaks are one of the leading issues solar customers experience after PV installation. Unfortunately, even professional installers with years of experience cannot avoid issues with leaking roof penetrations forever. Leaking is even more common with DIY installations due to the lack of experience on the part of the homeowner.

Washington homes are already at high risk of roof leaks because of the above-average amount of rainfall the state sees. Some areas of Washington receive between 150 and 200 inches of rain each year, which is about five times the national average.⁵ Couple the state’s above-average rainfall with an inexperienced DIY installation, and you’re asking for issues.

You might save money upfront by doing a DIY installation, but you could end up spending more in the long run if you need to pay for repairs for roof replacement and water damage.

DIY Panels May Lack the Efficiency Required in Washington

DIY solar panels are almost always significantly less efficient than professional options, and they tend to lose efficiency more quickly.

Residents in states like Washington and Oregon see a serious lack of sunlight, which means solar customers in the area need to take full advantage of the sun that is available. High-efficiency panels from professional installation companies are far more likely to be able to meet the energy needs of Washington residents.

Again, a DIY installation will almost always cost less initially, but a professional system could very well lead to greater energy savings over time and be more valuable in the long run.

Warranty Coverage is Minimal on DIY Kits

Finally, DIY solar kits come with minimal warranty coverage, usually averaging between five and 10 years for the equipment alone. Warranties on professionally installed systems can last as long as 25 to 30 years, and they can cover equipment, efficiency and labor.

Since efficiency in Washington is so critical, it’s far better to have lengthy efficiency warranties that guarantee your panels will continue to produce for decades after installation. These efficiency warranties help ensure that a professional system will pay for itself and continue to provide savings. The same cannot be said about many DIY systems.

Best National Provider

5/5

National coverageGreat warranty coverageMost efficient panels on the market

Get Free Quote

Solar Veteran

5/5

Representatives are experts on local policiesMany years of experienceComprehensive service offerings

Get Free Quote

Solar Veteran

4.5/5

Outstanding customer serviceRepresentatives are experts on local policiesMany years of experience

Get Free Quote

What Should Washingtonians Look For in a Solar Installer?

There are a few things you should look for in a solar provider for your Washington home.

• Affordable and efficient solar solutions
• Lengthy warranties
• Years of experience with local installations

Affordable and Efficient Equipment

One of the first things we recommend you look for is a company that carries highly efficient panels at a reasonable price.

Washington solar customers need to prioritize panel efficiency ratings because of the lack of available sunlight in the area. More efficient panels will generate more energy in both sunny and cloudy weather, the latter of which is more prevalent in Washington.

It’s also a good idea to consider the cost of the panels compared to the value. Companies that offer SunPower panels will usually be a bit more costly on average, but the maximum energy production those panels provide is worth the extra money.

Robust Warranty Coverage

Washington property owners can experience massive amounts of rain, depending on where in the state they reside. Some areas receive more than five times the national average, meaning the risk of roof leaks from an improper installation is extremely high.

We recommend prioritizing companies that provide lengthy and robust warranty coverage. Coverage for physical damage and efficiency is great, but we suggest giving precedence to companies that provide long labor warranties. You’re far less likely to see roof leaks if the company guarantees the installation is done properly, even in rainy Washington.

Local Experience

Finally, we suggest you look for companies that have several years of experience servicing Washington specifically.

Since the popularity of solar has soared in the past few years in the Evergreen State, many new companies have popped up to meet the demand. New installers are less likely to have industry affiliations and electrician certifications — like from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) — which help guarantee a successful installation.

Additionally, companies that have years of experience in Washington are more likely to be familiar with the local incentives available. Since solar energy systems are more expensive in Washington than in most states, incentives are crucial for keeping costs down and maximizing savings.

Methodology: How We Ranked Washington’s Solar Companies

When we rank our top solar companies, we start by identifying the factors that matter most when ensuring our readers find a trustworthy, reliable and environmentally responsible installation in Washington. We’ve listed those factors as categories below. We then weigh these factors against the industry benchmark (a company meeting the industry standard in all categories would earn 4 stars in our rating system).

Our goal is to deliver unbiased reports and honest reviews, so our methodology is not affected by commercial partnerships and is specifically tailored to Washington homeowners.

• Solar Services (20%)

• Qualifications, Reputation & Certifications (20%)

• Solar Warranty & Customer Support (15%)

• Solar Financing Options (15%)

• Experience (10%)

• Availability (10%)

• Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Factors (10%)

Below are three of the criteria we give special attention to when rating Washington solar companies.

Warranty Coverage

Solar panel installation is expensive, especially in Washington. As such, warranty coverage for equipment damage and performance can provide some peace of mind as you invest tens of thousands of dollars.

In Washington, where rainfall is abundant and well above average for the nation, a workmanship warranty is usually the most crucial. This warranty covers roof leaks in most cases, which is the leading issue with going solar in Washington. Performance guarantees can also help ensure you offset your electric costs even during the common cloudy and rainy days.

Overall Commitment to Eco-Friendliness

Washington is one of the more progressive states in the country in terms of adopting solar energy. It recently set a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goal to have 100% of its electricity come from clean energy sources by 2045.⁶

It’s likely that the companies that commit to progressing this goal are not only in the industry to make a profit but also plan to stick around for longer. That means your warranties will continue to protect your system over time. It also means a reduced overall carbon footprint and less contribution to climate change, which is a worthy goal.

Solar Pricing and Financing

We also analyze the overall price of going solar with a company, the value the installer provides and the financing options available to customers. This is especially important in an area like Washington, where the total cost to go solar is well above the national average.

The price to go solar will always be important to homeowners, but some companies will have higher pricing not because of upcharges, but because of high-quality equipment being installed. We carefully weigh the cost against equipment quality to determine which installer offers the best value for your money.

Additionally, not all companies accept the same financing options. Installers who take cash purchases, solar loans, leases, and PPAs will be accessible to most customers and rank higher in our ratings.

Best National Provider

5/5

National coverageGreat warranty coverageMost efficient panels on the market

Get Free Quote

Solar Veteran

5/5

Representatives are experts on local policiesMany years of experienceComprehensive service offerings

Get Free Quote

Solar Veteran

4.5/5

Outstanding customer serviceRepresentatives are experts on local policiesMany years of experience

Get Free Quote