There can be solar tax credits and incentives available at the federal, state and local levels. The calculator above will show you the value of all incentives your home is eligible for.
Governor Jay Inslee needs some introductory theme music for this page. It should be snappy, hot, and full of swagger. In 2019, he helped lead a coalition of smart solar policy warriors to finally get the new solar law enacted they’ve wanted for ages.
That law, The Solar Fairness Act, expanded net metering and re-introduced a sales tax exemption for solar. All that support from the legislature adds up to a big jump in your solar incentive savings.
Learn what solar incentives are available to Washington homeowners
See what Washington solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
Find out how much these incentives and/or Washington solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Washington
If you install your photovoltaic system before the end of 2032, the federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 30% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor, and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 30% = $6,000.
The federal tax credit falls to 26% starting in 2033.
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
In 2019, Washington expanded its net metering requirements eightfold. This change should give the solar industry some much needed stability.
The best net metering laws make sure that you get the full retail value of every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of surplus you produce with your solar panels – either in credit to future bills or, if you consistently run a surplus, cash payments at the end of a regular accounting period.
In Washington however, any net surplus you have accumulated and not used as a bill credit are forfeited to the utility on March 31st of each year, without compensation. Don’t fret! This just requires a little more planning to make sure you don’t install more solar power capacity than you will use each year.
While Washington does not have a dedicated state rebate for solar panel installation, some manufacturers like LG offer their own solar rebates. These programs are usually time sensitive. For example, LG offers a $600 solar rebate on their equipment, which your installer can help you redeem over the next year.
In 2019, Washington restarted its 100% sales tax exemption on all equipment, all labor, and all services related to the installation of that equipment from all sales and use taxes on home solar systems up to 10kW. As the sales tax in Washington is currently 9%, that’s nothing to sneeze at when purchasing equipment that costs twenty to thirty thousand dollars. We’d love to see that 10kW maximum bumped up, but otherwise, that’s a model law right there. No twists, no tricks, just savings for smart solar energy.
Showing data for:
Prices based on a 11.7kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
44 solar companies in Washington provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.82 194 Reviews
LangleySage, over 1 month
I cannot say enough good things about Whidbey Sun & Wind (WSW), the solar installation company that recently completed a 15.5 Kilowatt solar system installation on our less-than-ideal roof. From start to finish, they exceeded our expectations in every way, and our experience with them was nothing short of exceptional. One of the standout qualities of WSW was their professionalism. Right from our initial consultation, they displayed a deep understanding of solar technology and were able to provide us with clear and realistic expectations. They didn't sugarcoat the projected kilowatt production of our system, which was crucial for us as our roof was not perfectly situated for maximum sun exposure and we had some tree shading issues. Their honesty was refreshing, and it set the tone for the entire project. What truly set WSW apart was their outstanding communication. Paul, our project manager, was an absolute gem. He was always just a call, text, or email away, and his responsiveness was unparalleled. He and his team went above and beyond to make sure we understood every step of the process. They patiently addressed all of our questions, no matter how big or small, and they explained things in a way that was easy to grasp, even for solar novices like us. During the installation itself, WSW's expertise truly shone. They were not only efficient but also cost-conscious. To our delight, they discovered a way to utilize existing conduit instead of trenching for new conduit, saving us over $1000. This resourcefulness and cost-saving approach showcased their commitment to delivering value to their customers. Paul, in particular, deserves special recognition for his in-depth knowledge and willingness to educate us about every aspect of our solar system. He guided us through the pros and cons of various panel sizes and placements, shared his insights on the inverter and its components, and explained the intricacies of net metering. He also introduced us to the monitoring software that would allow us to track our system's performance. His patience and expertise were invaluable and made us feel confident in our investment. In short, our experience with WSW was exceptionally positive. From the initial consultation to the final installation, they were professional, honest, and highly communicative. Their ability to find cost-saving solutions and their thorough, patient explanations of all aspects of the solar installation process made the entire experience smooth and enjoyable. We couldn't be happier with our decision to choose WSW, and we wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone considering a solar installation. Thank you, WSW, for helping us harness the power of the sun with such excellence!
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LangleySage, over 1 month
I cannot say enough good things about Whidbey Sun & Wind (WSW), the solar installation company that recently completed a 15.5 Kilowatt solar system installation on our less-than-ideal roof. From start to finish, they exceeded our expectations in every way, and our experience with them was nothing short of exceptional. One of the standout qualities of WSW was their professionalism. Right from our initial consultation, they displayed a deep understanding of solar technology and were able to provide us with clear and realistic expectations. They didn't sugarcoat the projected kilowatt production of our system, which was crucial for us as our roof was not perfectly situated for maximum sun exposure and we had some tree shading issues. Their honesty was refreshing, and it set the tone for the entire project. What truly set WSW apart was their outstanding communication. Paul, our project manager, was an absolute gem. He was always just a call, text, or email away, and his responsiveness was unparalleled. He and his team went above and beyond to make sure we understood every step of the process. They patiently addressed all of our questions, no matter how big or small, and they explained things in a way that was easy to grasp, even for solar novices like us. During the installation itself, WSW's expertise truly shone. They were not only efficient but also cost-conscious. To our delight, they discovered a way to utilize existing conduit instead of trenching for new conduit, saving us over $1000. This resourcefulness and cost-saving approach showcased their commitment to delivering value to their customers. Paul, in particular, deserves special recognition for his in-depth knowledge and willingness to educate us about every aspect of our solar system. He guided us through the pros and cons of various panel sizes and placements, shared his insights on the inverter and its components, and explained the intricacies of net metering. He also introduced us to the monitoring software that would allow us to track our system's performance. His patience and expertise were invaluable and made us feel confident in our investment. In short, our experience with WSW was exceptionally positive. From the initial consultation to the final installation, they were professional, honest, and highly communicative. Their ability to find cost-saving solutions and their thorough, patient explanations of all aspects of the solar installation process made the entire experience smooth and enjoyable. We couldn't be happier with our decision to choose WSW, and we wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone considering a solar installation. Thank you, WSW, for helping us harness the power of the sun with such excellence!
4.79 105 Reviews
Jud, over 1 month
Out of the three bids for solar installation, we found A&R best aligned not only with our hopes for the project, but also with our values (employee-ownership, socially responsible). We found the drop-box of project photos and information after completion to be very helpful. We are also very happy with the installation now that we're live. We would absolutely recommend A&R.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$14,750 ($2.95 per watt)
Jud, over 1 month
Out of the three bids for solar installation, we found A&R best aligned not only with our hopes for the project, but also with our values (employee-ownership, socially responsible). We found the drop-box of project photos and information after completion to be very helpful. We are also very happy with the installation now that we're live. We would absolutely recommend A&R.
4.79 130 Reviews
Becca G, over 1 month
My partner and I had been considering solar for a while. I did a lot of research into several different companies and decided to go with Power Trip for several reasons. For starters, they actually came out and looked at the property, rather than just using a computer generated model. Further, they answered all my questions promptly and were honest and fair in their quotes. The system has been stellar since we had it installed in August 2022. Now that we're considering an extension to our array, we'll definitely be going with Power Trip again.
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Becca G, over 1 month
My partner and I had been considering solar for a while. I did a lot of research into several different companies and decided to go with Power Trip for several reasons. For starters, they actually came out and looked at the property, rather than just using a computer generated model. Further, they answered all my questions promptly and were honest and fair in their quotes. The system has been stellar since we had it installed in August 2022. Now that we're considering an extension to our array, we'll definitely be going with Power Trip again.
4.74 127 Reviews
Mario, over 1 month
We had a really good experience with Fire Mountain. No high pressure tactics, we were put in contact with a technical person when we had more questions about different options, and we were quickly given estimates for the different setups we were looking for. The team was accurate with their estimated install dates and length and were in contact with me throughout the process. Fire mountain also took care of permits and submitting net metering applications to my utility. We haven’t had any issues with our system since it was installed, and have been seeing the solar credit in our electric bill each month. We recommend Fire Mountain.
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Mario, over 1 month
We had a really good experience with Fire Mountain. No high pressure tactics, we were put in contact with a technical person when we had more questions about different options, and we were quickly given estimates for the different setups we were looking for. The team was accurate with their estimated install dates and length and were in contact with me throughout the process. Fire mountain also took care of permits and submitting net metering applications to my utility. We haven’t had any issues with our system since it was installed, and have been seeing the solar credit in our electric bill each month. We recommend Fire Mountain.
4.70 111 Reviews
Wendy W, over 1 month
We are very happy with our Sunergy experience. The initial contact, design, and install all went well and everyone we talked to throughout the process was pleasant, professional, and informative. Greg Williams was our design consultant. He was very patient as we went through the process of working on bid with multiple vendors and went through a few iterations on scope. He was a wealth of knowledge and helped and supported us when we ran into a potentially sticky permitting issue. I want to add too that I wondered if we might have some complicated feelings after install given the cost of putting in solar and the fact that it was discretionary / not a required project. Instead I feel nothing but joy that we are generating energy from our rooftop. And an unexpected side benefit is how well the software we are using shows us our consumption patterns that we were previously blind to; we've been able to *save* energy as well as generate it. 5 stars for Sunergy and 5 stars for going solar.
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Wendy W, over 1 month
We are very happy with our Sunergy experience. The initial contact, design, and install all went well and everyone we talked to throughout the process was pleasant, professional, and informative. Greg Williams was our design consultant. He was very patient as we went through the process of working on bid with multiple vendors and went through a few iterations on scope. He was a wealth of knowledge and helped and supported us when we ran into a potentially sticky permitting issue. I want to add too that I wondered if we might have some complicated feelings after install given the cost of putting in solar and the fact that it was discretionary / not a required project. Instead I feel nothing but joy that we are generating energy from our rooftop. And an unexpected side benefit is how well the software we are using shows us our consumption patterns that we were previously blind to; we've been able to *save* energy as well as generate it. 5 stars for Sunergy and 5 stars for going solar.
4.70 32 Reviews
Kevin & Sabrina Hageman, over 1 month
We were very satisfied from the beginning to the end of the project. All employees were very professional and friendly. They went over everything so we could understand the system.
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Kevin & Sabrina Hageman, over 1 month
We were very satisfied from the beginning to the end of the project. All employees were very professional and friendly. They went over everything so we could understand the system.
4.65 62 Reviews
Barrett Anderson, over 1 month
Nick and his team went above and beyond, making sure everything was correct, even cleaning up the patio they had worked in after finishing the project.
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Barrett Anderson, over 1 month
Nick and his team went above and beyond, making sure everything was correct, even cleaning up the patio they had worked in after finishing the project.
4.63 49 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
Ground mount of 36 panel Washington made system with e gauge monitor. Been watching daily through the winter months and we are producing about 1/2 of our power needs, and the best is just beginning! Highly recommend the e gauge monitor (extra 600$) can watch daily production on I pad, see where your use is greatest and what kinds of days are best. Can break out stats from 10 minute intervals up to monthly,yearly. It has really made us aware of what and when we use the most (Water heater ). Totally satisfied with all aspects of South Sound Solar, before,during and after instal. Looking forward to great production this Summer.
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Anonymous, over 1 month
Ground mount of 36 panel Washington made system with e gauge monitor. Been watching daily through the winter months and we are producing about 1/2 of our power needs, and the best is just beginning! Highly recommend the e gauge monitor (extra 600$) can watch daily production on I pad, see where your use is greatest and what kinds of days are best. Can break out stats from 10 minute intervals up to monthly,yearly. It has really made us aware of what and when we use the most (Water heater ). Totally satisfied with all aspects of South Sound Solar, before,during and after instal. Looking forward to great production this Summer.
4.62 114 Reviews
DebM, over 1 month
We’ve tried calling, texting the last numbers we have, emailing … our phone apps have t worked for almost two years. The app is the only way to know what’s going up there. Right after installation when the app was working, we had a couple panels go bad. With no working app, who knows what’s going on with $58k worth of solar panels. I’ve tried self help on line, but still no success. But nobody at the office will respond to us. Would not recommend them any more. Have read really bad stuff about them lately. :(
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DebM, over 1 month
We’ve tried calling, texting the last numbers we have, emailing … our phone apps have t worked for almost two years. The app is the only way to know what’s going up there. Right after installation when the app was working, we had a couple panels go bad. With no working app, who knows what’s going on with $58k worth of solar panels. I’ve tried self help on line, but still no success. But nobody at the office will respond to us. Would not recommend them any more. Have read really bad stuff about them lately. :(
4.61 26 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
OK, it wasn't a solar job but a backup for my whole house using a propane powered generator. They were on time, did a fantastic job, and did a super clean install. I can't say enough good about them. Hard to believe they are electricians because they show up prepared and get the job done quickly and efficiently. I just wish they also did work where my other homes are located, they are that good.
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Anonymous, over 1 month
OK, it wasn't a solar job but a backup for my whole house using a propane powered generator. They were on time, did a fantastic job, and did a super clean install. I can't say enough good about them. Hard to believe they are electricians because they show up prepared and get the job done quickly and efficiently. I just wish they also did work where my other homes are located, they are that good.
For more information about going solar near where you live, check out the following resources:
Clark Public Utility Solar Loan Program - Low interest loans to finance solar projects up to $30,000
Chelan County Sustainable Natural Alternative Power Program (SNAP) - Pooled utility bill savings for power producers.