Solar Panel Cost Guide in Washington, IL (2024 Update)
- Washington Solar Installation Cost: $16,749
- 25-Year Savings: $10,152
- Payback Period: 18.8 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in Washington
Let’s have a look at the average cost of solar in Washington.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Washington typically cost around 4.Because a 6.4-kW system is needed to cover the energy costs of a typical home in Washington, the average price of going solar will be about $16,749 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
How much you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Washington based on several factors, such as the brand of solar panels you choose and the solar contractor you hire.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the return on investment for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $13,000 over 20 years on electricity bills.
For a customized quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Washington
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-15,898 |
| 3 years | $-14,197 |
| 5 years | $-12,496 |
| 7 years | $-10,795 |
| 9 years | $-9,093 |
| 11 years | $-7,392 |
| 13 years | $-5,691 |
| 15 years | $-3,989 |
| 17 years | $-2,288 |
| 19 years | $-587 |
| 21 years | $1,115 |
| 23 years | $2,816 |
| 25 years | $4,517 |
Top Solar Installers in Washington
Many homeowners decide to hire a solar installation company since trying to install solar panels on your own can be challenging. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, using a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives.
Working with a licensed solar installer can help you make the most of your investment in solar. Here are our recommendations:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Washington
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Washington
Cost is usually one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few key factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Washington: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need for your household, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by around $3,760. The brand of solar panels and equipment you choose is another factor that will largely influence costs. Solar panels that are more efficient, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more expensive. Further, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You’ll also need to make decisions about the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It’s important to take all of this into consideration when looking for a solar system that’s in your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Washington to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Thankfully, nearly every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to higher prices over time because of interest.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your total costs, so it’s important to take that into consideration as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you hire to handle your switch to clean energy can have an effect on your total costs. There are about 3 solar panel companies in Washington, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment.Additionally, some companies in Washington know more about local solar incentives and can help you make good use of additional rebates or tax exemptions. Though, they may charge more for walking you through the whole process. Even if they cost more upfront, they could help you save more money in the long run.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.91 | $16,424 | $4,614 | 19.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.84 | $21,477 | $6,573 | 19.1 years |
| 10 kW | $3.76 | $26,320 | $8,743 | 18.8 years |
| 12 kW | $3.68 | $30,952 | $11,123 | 18.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.61 | $35,374 | $13,714 | 18.0 years |
| 16 kW | $3.53 | $39,585 | $16,515 | 17.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.46 | $43,586 | $19,527 | 17.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.38 | $47,376 | $22,750 | 16.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The company that does your solar panel installation will affect the warranties and brands available to you, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Since picking a company can be a challenge, we have some tips to help you, such as:
- Contract: When looking through your solar installer’s contract, ask for clarification about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios such as a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: The model of solar panel you need to install plays a part in which installer you should choose, since different companies have access to different panels.
- Warranty: If you’re concerned about the endurance of your solar panels, making sure your installer offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years likely offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Washington, IL Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Washington?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $18,800 for a 5-kW system and $37,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will cost more if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the other hand, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is cost the most important consideration when buying solar panels?
Cost is definitely one of the most important factors you should consider when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase your property’s value significantly as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.