Solar Panel Cost in Washington (2023 Local Savings Guide)

Solar Panel System Installation Cost in Washington

The size of the solar electric system you need is the most significant cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by nearly $2,700. The table below provides some estimates for typical system sizes in Washington State both before and after the federal tax credit.

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What Determines the Cost of Solar Panels in Washington?

The average cost to install solar panels in Washington is around $19,906, but your specific system could fall well below or above that average based on a few different factors. Typical prices range from $13,934 up to approximately $25,878. 

Below, we’ll explain the most significant cost factors that affect solar panel system pricing in Washington.

Solar Equipment

Some of the most important things to consider when calculating your estimated cost of going solar are the brand of equipment you install and the specific pieces of equipment you want to be included in your system.

You’ll have access to many different solar panel brands in Washington, but most homeowners require high-efficiency options because of the lack of sunlight in the area. Washington residents experience just 152 days of sunlight every year, which is one of the lowest in the country and well below the national average of 205 days. 

The lack of available sunshine means that high-efficiency solar panels are all but a necessity. As a result, solar equipment tends to be more costly in the state, on average.

Next, the type of equipment you install will have a large impact on your overall price. In some areas, add-on products like solar batteries are popular because of frequent power outages. 

Luckily, Washington doesn’t get much in the way of extreme weather, so most homeowners don’t feel the need to add solar batteries. This helps to keep costs low, as some batteries can add thousands of dollars to your total.

Solar Financing in Washington

The payment method you use to acquire your solar panel system will also play a significant role in the price you pay to go solar. 

• A cash purchase will require a large upfront payment, but you won’t pay any interest, and your energy savings will take the minimum amount of time to pay off your solar equipment. 
• Solar financing (also known as a solar loan) is a more popular option because it reduces the amount you have to pay upfront. However, you’ll also end up paying more money over time because of the interest added to your total.

Unfortunately, Washington State doesn’t have a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program for residential solar customers, but the Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (PACER) program does benefit commercial customers. 

The Clean Energy Fund (CEF) in Washington is also available to help low-income households secure affordable solar financing that comes with a low APR.

Washington Solar Installation Company

The installation company you choose can have a major impact on the price you pay for your solar panel system for two primary reasons.

First, solar installers in Washington can charge different prices for labor and materials. Even choosing the same system and equipment from two different installers can yield wildly different prices. This is why it’s a good idea to shop around and find an installer that fits your budget and also provides equipment that can cover your energy needs.

Second, not every installer offers the same panel brands, and the products offered can create disparities in pricing among different installers. 

For example, Puget Sound Solar, a local solar company in Washington, offers products from Hyundai, Hanwha, Silfab, Tesla and Solaria (to name a few). Many of these brands are considered budget-friendly, so the average cost of choosing this company will be relatively low.

In contrast, opting for a solar panel system from SunPower, one of the leading national solar companies, will be far more expensive in most cases. SunPower only installs Maxeon panels, which include the highest efficiency, the greatest quality and one of the best warranties in the country.

It’s true that you’ll pay more when going with SunPower over most local options, but you’ll also get top-quality products. As such, it’s important to compare installers based on overall quality and not just cost alone.

Additional Considerations and Costs in Washington

There are some additional considerations you should make before choosing a solar installer in Washington State. We’ll briefly explain these other factors below.

• Permits: The State of Washington requires that building permits be pulled and closed with all solar panel system installations. Your solar installer will typically be the one to handle this, but you should confirm if there are any responsibilities on your part before proceeding.
• Interconnection agreement: Unless your panel installation is fully off-grid, you will have to get approval from your local utility to interconnect in Washington. This is also how you register for net metering, if it’s offered by your utility. There are usually one-time fees associated with these agreements, ranging from $25-$300 in some cases. Again, these should be the responsibility of your installer.
• Warranties: Solar warranties are essential for maintaining peace of mind that your investment into solar energy will be protected. Warranties usually cover the installation labor, the equipment itself or the panel performance. The best warranties include coverage for all three, as well as roof leak protection.
• HOAs: Washington State does have solar rights and easement laws in place, but they don’t explicitly prevent homeowners associations (HOAs) and other entities from denying a homeowner’s right to install solar panels. Instead, they allow homeowners and governing parties (like HOAs) to enter into mutually beneficial agreements. You should confirm with your HOA if you have one before signing any service contracts.
• Environmental zoning: The zoning laws in Washington are generally pro-solar, so you shouldn’t have any issues with installing a rooftop solar system. However, you might run into problems with ground-mounted solar systems.

Washington Solar Incentives 

Washington is a very solar-friendly state, so residents can expect the benefit of several solar tax incentives and rebates when going solar. Below are the incentives offered to Washington homeowners by the federal and state governments.

Federal Solar Tax Credit For Washington Homeowners 

The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is one of the most appealing incentives available to Washington residents. Offered by the federal government, the ITC is a rebate on your federal income tax in the amount of 30% of your total solar system cost. In Washington, that comes out to an average savings of $8,070, reducing the average price from $26,900 to $18,830.

You’ll need to install your solar system by 2032 to take full advantage of this incentive. It’s scheduled to drop to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034 and be eliminated for residential panels in 2035 unless Congress renews the bill.

Net Metering Policies in Washington

Net metering is an incentive program that allows you to pay your utility provider for the energy you pull from the grid less any your panels produce above and beyond what your home consumes. In other words, when you use more electricity than your solar system creates, you’ll pull the excess from the grid. When you use less than you produce, you route the excess energy production to the grid. Any excess sent to the grid will be compensated for via energy credits.

The net metering policy in Washington was established in 2000 when Washington State Legislation enacted a bill mandating utility companies to offer net metering. The Mandatory Utility Green Power Option guarantees that you’ll earn energy credits for excess power production, which can be used to offset electricity costs in future billing cycles.

Ultimately, this policy helps eliminate electric costs in Washington, increasing the overall value of solar energy systems. Every electric company has a slightly different process and net metering rate, so be sure to check yours before you commit.

Local Solar Rebates in Washington

Finally, Washington State offers several solar incentives to residents, the first of which is the Renewable Energy Projects Sales & Use Tax Exemptions. This sales tax exemption means you won’t pay sales tax on your solar equipment or installation. Since the average sales tax rate in Washington is 6.5%, that’s an average savings of $1,749.

Washington State has also established Solar Easement & Rights Laws, which guarantees that homeowners can install solar and have access to sunlight that would usually hit their property. That means you can install solar even if you’re in a strict HOA that restricts exterior changes, and you can work with your neighbor or other entities to guarantee that your panels aren’t obstructed.

Finally, independent municipalities throughout Washington and even individual utility companies offer incentives and rebates. You can check the DSIRE database before going solar to see what other local incentives might be available to you.

The Best Solar Panel Brands Available in Washington

As mentioned above, the solar panel brand you choose will play a role in your overall pricing. 

The table below will include some of the best solar panel brands available in Washington, as well as the relative pricing for those options. This should help you determine which brands are likely to fall within your budget and which will be outside of it.

Ready to see what your solar project will cost and the savings it will bring you on energy expenses? Connect with a pre-vetted solar installer in the state of Washington that can assess your home and determine the best solar array for your needs.

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