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
This perk is commonly known as the ITC, short for “Investment Tax Credit”. If you install your photovoltaic system in 2020, the federal tax credit is 26% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 26% 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 26% = $5,200.
The federal tax credit falls to 22% at the end of 2022.
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.
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Prices based on a 11.7kW system, after 26% federal tax credit
45 solar companies in Washington provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.86 185 Reviews
Holmberg, 3 weeks ago
Due to trees, my site wasn't ideal for solar, but decided to go forward with a system. Quote process was honest and straightforward. Install was efficient and done with pride in workmanship. System seems to be operating above expectation.
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Holmberg, 3 weeks ago
Due to trees, my site wasn't ideal for solar, but decided to go forward with a system. Quote process was honest and straightforward. Install was efficient and done with pride in workmanship. System seems to be operating above expectation.
4.81 101 Reviews
Brian B., 2 weeks ago
From start to finish. Sales meeting to final completion. A & R and all the staff I worked with were the most professional, and competent Solar installation company ever. I highly recommend this employee-owned company to anyone looking at a new solar installation.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$14,750 ($2.95 per watt)
Brian B., 2 weeks ago
From start to finish. Sales meeting to final completion. A & R and all the staff I worked with were the most professional, and competent Solar installation company ever. I highly recommend this employee-owned company to anyone looking at a new solar installation.
4.79 246 Reviews
ReneeR, over 1 month
We just completed our solar design and install project with Artisan Electric (www.artisanelectricinc.com) It was an outstanding professional experience overall — smoothly managed, and super pleasant people to work with from the beginning to end. And their follow-up to my subsequent questions has also been excellent. From the first inquiry over the Artisan website (www.artisanelectricinc.com) to the first conversations with the rep about the various system options; and on through the design and layout process with him; on into the site preparation walk-through with the general foreman; and all throughout the install experience with the crew. The crew was always prompt, professional, and managed a clean, well-organized work project space in/around our house, and they were all super pleasant to work with. Strong team! More to the point when we hit an install hiccup — upon seeing the panels layout on the front street side of our low flat roof and were unhappy with the way it looked (not Artisan’s fault but a failure of imagination on our part) — we deeply appreciated the quick response to my email about it from our Artisan rep and the crew’s professional “let’s put our heads together and find a solution” mentality. In my experience that's where the rubber really hits the road with any contractor and everyone involved managed an efficient, calm, and solutions-oriented approach in partnership with us that ended up with an even-better solution. We also appreciate a union crew and seeing diverse representation on it. That matters to us — in addition to high quality, fairly priced work. ;)
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ReneeR, over 1 month
We just completed our solar design and install project with Artisan Electric (www.artisanelectricinc.com) It was an outstanding professional experience overall — smoothly managed, and super pleasant people to work with from the beginning to end. And their follow-up to my subsequent questions has also been excellent. From the first inquiry over the Artisan website (www.artisanelectricinc.com) to the first conversations with the rep about the various system options; and on through the design and layout process with him; on into the site preparation walk-through with the general foreman; and all throughout the install experience with the crew. The crew was always prompt, professional, and managed a clean, well-organized work project space in/around our house, and they were all super pleasant to work with. Strong team! More to the point when we hit an install hiccup — upon seeing the panels layout on the front street side of our low flat roof and were unhappy with the way it looked (not Artisan’s fault but a failure of imagination on our part) — we deeply appreciated the quick response to my email about it from our Artisan rep and the crew’s professional “let’s put our heads together and find a solution” mentality. In my experience that's where the rubber really hits the road with any contractor and everyone involved managed an efficient, calm, and solutions-oriented approach in partnership with us that ended up with an even-better solution. We also appreciate a union crew and seeing diverse representation on it. That matters to us — in addition to high quality, fairly priced work. ;)
4.79 129 Reviews
Salty Sailor , over 1 month
Customer service was fantastic. Very responsive to our needs and schedule. Installers have great chemistry and I can't speak highly enough about their work. You'd be making the wrong move to go with anyone else. Best on the OP!
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Salty Sailor , over 1 month
Customer service was fantastic. Very responsive to our needs and schedule. Installers have great chemistry and I can't speak highly enough about their work. You'd be making the wrong move to go with anyone else. Best on the OP!
4.76 103 Reviews
Eric McDowell, over 1 month
We have had nothing but oustanding service from Sunergy Systems! They are very quick to respond and their workmanship is excellent. We are super, super happy with them!
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Eric McDowell, over 1 month
We have had nothing but oustanding service from Sunergy Systems! They are very quick to respond and their workmanship is excellent. We are super, super happy with them!
4.70 106 Reviews
Kevin R, over 1 month
As a general contractor/custom home builder I have the option to use anyone. I chose Fire Mountain Solar because they have done jobs for me and my clients before. Each project has gone perfectly. When it came time to put a system on my own home there was no other solar company to even consider. I am excited about seeing the benefits and I appreciate the quality work they do. From start to finish they are very easy to work with, knowledgeable and their prices are cost effective. Thank You! Kevin Russell, 2018 Builder of The Year BIAW ( Building Industry Association of Washington)
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Kevin R, over 1 month
As a general contractor/custom home builder I have the option to use anyone. I chose Fire Mountain Solar because they have done jobs for me and my clients before. Each project has gone perfectly. When it came time to put a system on my own home there was no other solar company to even consider. I am excited about seeing the benefits and I appreciate the quality work they do. From start to finish they are very easy to work with, knowledgeable and their prices are cost effective. Thank You! Kevin Russell, 2018 Builder of The Year BIAW ( Building Industry Association of Washington)
4.64 61 Reviews
Jack F, over 1 month
Puget Sound Solar is absolutely top-notch, from a patient and informative quoting process to super professional and high quality installation. We chose PSS on a neighbor's recommendation and were very pleased with their array of customizations. With the advent of micro-inverters, we learned that a solar system can be increased modularly, and this helped us identify our priorities and budget. Jeff quoted us a few different options, and we never felt was pushing us in any direction. We were left with a super functional system with room to grow in the future. The installation team was friendly, efficient, and considerate- and thanks to Puget Sound Solar's size, we actually got our system a full two months early when another comparable system for another customer had to be delayed. Now a few weeks into our new system, we feel educated, taken care of and just plain impressed with Puget Sound Solar. We'd recommend them without reservation.
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Jack F, over 1 month
Puget Sound Solar is absolutely top-notch, from a patient and informative quoting process to super professional and high quality installation. We chose PSS on a neighbor's recommendation and were very pleased with their array of customizations. With the advent of micro-inverters, we learned that a solar system can be increased modularly, and this helped us identify our priorities and budget. Jeff quoted us a few different options, and we never felt was pushing us in any direction. We were left with a super functional system with room to grow in the future. The installation team was friendly, efficient, and considerate- and thanks to Puget Sound Solar's size, we actually got our system a full two months early when another comparable system for another customer had to be delayed. Now a few weeks into our new system, we feel educated, taken care of and just plain impressed with Puget Sound Solar. We'd recommend them without reservation.
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.
4.63 26 Reviews
Harley , over 1 month
We were adding solar to our shop and got several bids. Cascadia Solar was happy to come look at our project, and promptly came up with reasonable options and pricing. We found them to communicate well with us and the job was quickly completed. We would recommend them to our friends and neighbors.
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Harley , over 1 month
We were adding solar to our shop and got several bids. Cascadia Solar was happy to come look at our project, and promptly came up with reasonable options and pricing. We found them to communicate well with us and the job was quickly completed. We would recommend them to our friends and neighbors.
4.63 1,578 Reviews
Quannella Fleming, 6 days ago
I have called this company numerous times trying to get my referral. Apparently supervisors are in meetings everyday all day! Each month someone has promised to send my referral and it is still not here. I have been back and forth that the person I referred has contacted them as well! Lie after lie! Communication is terrible.
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Quannella Fleming, 6 days ago
I have called this company numerous times trying to get my referral. Apparently supervisors are in meetings everyday all day! Each month someone has promised to send my referral and it is still not here. I have been back and forth that the person I referred has contacted them as well! Lie after lie! Communication is terrible.
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.