Solar Panel Cost Guide in Washington, NC (2023 Update)
- Washington Solar Installation Cost: $12,222
- 25-Year Savings: $22,697
- Payback Period: 8.8 Years
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Updated September 15, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Washington
Here's how much it might cost to install solar panels in Washington.
Although the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in Washington generally cost about 2.54. Since a 6.9-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Washington, the average price of going solar will be about $12,215 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 30%.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average Washington homeowner. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually good, with a net average savings of about $19,000 over 20 years on power bills.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Washington
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-10,751 |
| 3 years | $-7,809 |
| 5 years | $-4,867 |
| 7 years | $-1,925 |
| 9 years | $1,018 |
| 11 years | $3,960 |
| 13 years | $6,902 |
| 15 years | $9,844 |
| 17 years | $12,786 |
| 19 years | $15,729 |
| 21 years | $18,671 |
| 23 years | $21,613 |
| 25 years | $24,555 |
Top Solar Installers in Washington
Installing solar panels on your own can be a challenging project, which is why hiring a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Also, companies with a good reputation that cost more upfront could actually save you money in the long run due to their warranties, repair services and expert design.
There are a number of licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
See all of the solar companies in Washington
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Washington
The cost of installing a solar system in Washington can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include the equipment you choose, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in Washington, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are mainly based on your home's energy usage, which you can gauge by looking at past electricity bills. Your total cost can increase by about $2,540 for each additional kilowatt you need. Some solar panel brands — like Maxeon from SunPower — are more costly upfront but also tend to offer higher efficiency. In a city like Washington, where sunlight is abundant, efficiency can quickly pay off. Also, if you have a small roof or you don't have a lot of space for your panels, higher efficiency options will be more impactful. Additional equipment like electric vehicle chargers and solar batteries will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in Washington to be too costly, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar installer in the area provides financing options. Solar loans greatly decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to paying more over time due to interest. It's a good idea to include the interest you'll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and how long it'll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar installer you opt for to handle your switch to solar energy can play a part in your total costs. There are about 3 solar installation companies operating throughout Washington, and each can charge different amounts for labor and equipment. Larger national companies generally have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by promoting sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have access to specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or extra services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.64 | $11,095 | $19,383 | 9.1 years |
| 8 kW | $2.59 | $14,508 | $26,129 | 8.9 years |
| 10 kW | $2.54 | $17,780 | $33,017 | 8.8 years |
| 12 kW | $2.49 | $20,909 | $40,047 | 8.6 years |
| 14 kW | $2.44 | $23,896 | $47,219 | 8.4 years |
| 16 kW | $2.39 | $26,741 | $54,534 | 8.2 years |
| 18 kW | $2.34 | $29,444 | $61,991 | 8.1 years |
| 20 kW | $2.29 | $32,004 | $69,590 | 7.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you pick the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to align on any details you should know with your solar company, such as what permits you should secure and how long the project will take.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer's reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: When reading through your solar company's contract, ask for clarification about any terms you're not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system part breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model has varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Outstanding Regional Installer
Renu Energy Solutions
- Excellent reputation
- Many financing options
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Washington, NC Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Washington?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a variety of factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,700 for a 5-kW system and $25,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want extra solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Is cost the most important thing to keep in mind when buying solar panels?
Cost is certainly one of the most important things to bear in mind when buying solar panels, but other important factors include efficiency, durability, and quality.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for many homeowners, but they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight and/or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy needs and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.