Solar Panel Cost Guide in Snohomish, WA (2024 Update)
- Snohomish Solar Installation Cost: $11,028
- 25-Year Savings: $10,564
- Payback Period: 14.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Snohomish
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Snohomish.
The average cost of a solar system in Snohomish is 4 per watt.The average Snohomish homeowner needs a 4.4-kilowatt system, which would cost about $11,028 with the federal tax credit, or $15,770 before the 0 tax credit is applied.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar may vary based on your household energy needs, the type of equipment you want to get, your solar contractor and more.Despite the significant initial cost, the average Snohomish homeowner can save about $17,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.
You can click the button below to get connected with a vetted solar company in Snohomish that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.
Solar savings over time in Snohomish
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,789 |
| 3 years | $-7,311 |
| 5 years | $-4,833 |
| 7 years | $-2,355 |
| 9 years | $123 |
| 11 years | $2,601 |
| 13 years | $5,079 |
| 15 years | $7,558 |
| 17 years | $10,036 |
| 19 years | $12,514 |
| 21 years | $14,992 |
| 23 years | $17,470 |
| 25 years | $19,948 |
Top Solar Installers in Snohomish
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners prefer to go with a solar company since installing solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Solar companies provide key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
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 Snohomish
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Snohomish
There are many factors that can play into your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
One of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more power your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to spend about $3,590 per kilowatt in Snohomish.The type of solar equipment you choose can increase or decrease your cost by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you get the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your electric bills. Additionally, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Snohomish average.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Snohomish, which can bring down, or in some cases completely eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more accessible.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of loans, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or finding a solar loan with a low APR could reduce your costs considerably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Snohomish is the company you hire to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, there’s no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services at different costs.You may see national solar installers that have lower prices due to their larger brand name and access to bulk equipment pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or specials to compete with those major players.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.73 | $15,681 | $9,941 | 15.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.66 | $20,506 | $13,657 | 15.0 years |
| 10 kW | $3.59 | $25,130 | $17,574 | 14.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.52 | $29,553 | $21,692 | 14.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.45 | $33,775 | $26,011 | 14.1 years |
| 16 kW | $3.37 | $37,796 | $30,531 | 13.8 years |
| 18 kW | $3.30 | $41,615 | $35,252 | 13.5 years |
| 20 kW | $3.23 | $45,234 | $40,175 | 13.2 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many 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:
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract fully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Reputation: Long-running companies likely have a good reputation. This is important because it ensures that it will not only see your solar installation through, but will also provide quality aftercare and customer support, such as part repairs and replacements.
- Warranty: A high-quality company rises above other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar installers offer the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a large role in the company you choose.
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 Snohomish, WA Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Snohomish?
The average cost of solar panels in Snohomish is about $17,950 for a 5-kW system and $35,900 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on certain factors such as the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you consume.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Snohomish?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Snohomish is currently $879,448, which means you could be looking at a value of about $36,057 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Snohomish is a worthwhile investment.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.