Not only is Washington State home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, but it also has some of the most generous solar incentives and rebates for property owners anywhere in the world. With energy bills creeping upward for years across the United States, especially in Washington, you should consider taking hold of your finances by investing in a renewable energy system for your home. With solar power, you can generate large amounts of electricity and save yourself thousands of dollars per year in utility bills.
There has never been a better time to buy a new solar energy system in Washington State. With federal, state, and local incentives available to purchasers of solar panels, you can ensure savings on your immediate installation costs and savings for years to come. Keep reading to learn how your purchase and installation of solar panels in Washington State can be made more financially accessible.
Read also: Guide to Financing Solar Panels with Incentives
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Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
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No payments needed for 18 months
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Offers top brands like LG and Trina
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The Best Solar Incentives, Tax Credits, and Rebates in Washington State
There are several public and private incentives in Washington State that help you save on your purchase of solar panels:
| Incentive | Summary | End Date |
| Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) | Washington State residents can take advantage of the Federal Solar Tax Credit and get a discount of 30% of the cost of their solar system applied to their next tax return. | 2032 |
| Solar Sales Tax Exemption | This sales tax exemption provides residential and commercial purchasers of solar panels with an average sales tax exemption of 6.5%, saving consumers an average of $1,749. | None |
| Washington State Solar Property Tax Exemption | Washington State does not offer residents and property owners a property tax exemption on the added value of their house that comes with installing new solar panels. | None |
| Net Metering | Net metering allows homeowners that create excess energy to use it as a credit on their next electric bill. All energy providers are required to offer this option to homeowners. | None |
| Richland Energy Services’ Residential Energy Conservation & Solar Loan Program | Residents of Richland, Washington, who are customers of Richland Energy Services (RES), can access the company’s solar loan program. Customers can use up to $15,000 in low-interest loans to install clean energy systems. | None |
| Clark Public Utilities’ Solar Energy Equipment Loan | Customers of this utility company can access solar loans with a low APR of 3.5% for a total loan amount not to exceed $30,000. | None |
| USDA REAP GRANT | REAP helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy costs and consumption by providing loan financing and grant funding to purchase and install renewable energy systems. Eligibility for the REAP program is dependent on you being an agricultural producer, with at least 50 percent of your gross income coming from agricultural operations and small businesses in eligible rural areas. | None |
Featured Video: What Should You Know Before Going Solar?
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
The Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a 30% tax credit available for purchased home solar systems installed by the end of 2032. In Washington State, residents pay an average of $26,900 per system and enjoy an approximate ITC of $8,070, a significant chunk of money taken off their income taxes. Plus, the ITC has done wonders for the county’s solar industry. It has created hundreds of thousands of jobs and brought billions of dollars into the economy since being enacted in 2006.
You might be interesting in reading our article for an in-depth analysis of Federal Solar Tax Credit.
Washington State Solar Sales Tax Exemption
The Renewable Energy System Sales Tax Exemption is a sales tax exemption that provides purchasers of solar panels with an average state sales tax exemption of 6.5%. This sales tax saves consumers an average of $1,749 per purchase of a photovoltaic (PV) system.
Washington State Solar Property Tax Exemption
Unfortunately, Washington doesn’t offer a solar property tax exemption, which means that you will pay taxes on the added value of your home from installing a solar energy system. But there is no need to fret because your energy bill savings will more than make up for this slight increase in property taxes.
Washington State Net Metering
Electricity companies in Washington State have all adopted net metering, a policy that ensures your solar panels will be connected to the public-utility power grid and that surplus power created by your solar panels will be transferred to the grid.
You can offset the cost of power drawn from the electricity grid due to net metering. The minimum compensation you’ll receive is the avoided-cost rate, which is below the retail rate. While the policy specifics of net metering programs will vary among providers, it remains hugely beneficial for owners of solar energy systems.
Richland Energy Services’ Residential Energy Conservation & Solar Loan Program
Residents of Richland, Washington, who are customers of Richland Energy Services (RES), can access the company’s solar loan program. Customers can use up to $15,000 in low-interest loans to install clean energy systems. Unfortunately, Seattle and western Washington residents do not have access to as many incentive payments.
Clark Public Utilities’ Solar Energy Equipment Loan
Customers of Clark Public Utilities can access solar loans with a low APR of 3.5% for a total loan amount not to exceed $30,000.
Commercial Washington State Solar Incentives
Solar Incentives for Nonprofits and Businesses in Washington State
The Washington State University (WSU) Energy Program offered funding for commercial and industrial properties to install solar equipment, but the WSU energy program has since stopped taking on new applicants, and its public funding has not been renewed.
However, non-tax-exempt businesses and commercial entities have access to a similar rebate program as homeowners do through the ITC. This provides for a 30% rebate of the total cost of a commercial solar system and has been extended as a tax program through 2032.
USDA REAP Grant
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a program designed to increase investments in clean energy called the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). REAP helps agricultural producers and rural small businesses lower energy costs and consumption by financing loans and grant funding to purchase and install renewable energy systems. You are eligible to participate in the REAP program if you are an agricultural producer with at least 50 percent of your gross income coming from agricultural operations or a small business in eligible rural areas.
State Sales Tax Exemption
Like individual residents, business owners can claim a 6.5% sales tax exemption on any equipment purchased to construct and install net-metered renewable energy systems, such as solar panels. Specific municipalities may offer additional tax credits and incentives.
Why Go Solar in Washington State?
In recent years, solar energy production has taken off across the Pacific Northwest in states like Oregon and Washington. While it used to be somewhat common to see solar panels in sunny parts of the country, it is becoming increasingly common to see them lining the roofs of homes up north.
While Washington State isn’t as far north as Alaska, it still receives 165 sunny days per year, which is well below the national average of 205 days. Nonetheless, improvements in solar power technology have vastly improved the efficiency of panels, meaning solar energy can be produced even in less-than-ideal conditions. So, despite its clouds and rain, Washington State has now become a place where your solar investment is highly worth it.
Washington State is now a superstar in the world of renewable energy. Thanks to its Renewable Portfolio Standard goals that incentivize the use of industrial, commercial, and residential solar power, it has become incredibly accommodating to solar energy production. Even now, Washington State’s solar policies are superb, making it very likely that the Washington State solar market will continue to grow for years to come.
Finally, solar panels can dramatically increase your home’s value. According to Zillow, the average home experiences a 4.1% increase in value after adding a solar power system. In Washington State, the average home value increase from solar panels will be close to $15,916.
Sold on solar for your home? Check out our recommended reputable solar installers in Washington state or get a free quote from these local solar installers.
4.4
Installs high-quality Maxeon panels
Outstanding customer support
Best-in-class warranty lasts 40 years
3.7
Affordable prices
Excellent selection of panels and services
Locations in 22 states
4.3
No payments needed for 18 months
Provides in-house financing
Offers top brands like LG and Trina
3.9
Highly rated customer service
Provides 24/7 panel monitoring
Solid A+ rating with the BBB
Washington State Solar Cost
The average total cost of solar energy installations in Washington State ranges from $12,452 to $16,848. On a cost-per-watt basis, solar panel installation in Washington State is between $2.49 and $3.37. These costs have come down significantly in recent years. If you purchase a larger system (more watts), your cost will increase in addition to your energy production. With energy bills increasing amid high oil and gas prices, the relative cost of solar is bound to decline further.
How Much Can You Save on Solar in Washington State?
Possibly the most enticing consequence of purchasing going solar is that you can save money with solar panels on your electricity bills. When solar panels produce electricity for your home, they can reduce the energy you pull from the grid, thus lowering your bills. People living in Washington State pay around an average of $95.72 per month for electricity, meaning they can save as much as $1,149 each year that their solar panels produce electricity. Because solar panels are so durable, you can expect to reap these rewards for more than 25 years.
With a payback period of 5.6 to 6.9 years, you can save thousands of dollars annually in almost half a decade. Over the lifetime of your photovoltaic (PV) equipment, you will experience net savings between $41,542 and $50,774, or around $10,846, after the panels pay for themselves.
Final Thoughts: The Best Washington State Solar Incentives
Washington State is a great place to invest in residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems. With private and public initiatives in place to make your purchase cheaper, there is no reason not to get in on the renewable energy market and start your solar projects today! Plus, increasing energy costs around the globe should make you eager to own your means of producing electricity. If you are interested in purchasing, expert solar system installers can help you.
Today’s Homeowner’s Solar Companies Rating Methodology
At Today’s Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each solar energy company/service according to our methodology.
Our research team dug deep into the fine print of contracts, combed through more than one hundred customer reviews, and thoroughly investigated all of each solar energy company’s services, costs, and products. We’ve done the homework for you by researching nearly all of the solar energy companies on the market so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home.
We developed a formula to objectively determine the best solar energy companies and give each a score out of 100 based on the following criteria:
- Plan Options (30): Do they provide a variety of plan options? We looked at the number of plans each solar energy company offered and the flexibility of adjusting the plan.
- Services offered (20): How many services are offered in each plan? We looked at whether the company manufactures its own solar panels, whether it contracts out installation, and what additional products each company offers.
- Trust (10): What do customers say after their solar panels are installed? Does this company offer a guarantee? We considered how satisfied customers are post-service if the company does what it says it will, BBB accreditation, and service guarantees.
- Prices (10): How reasonable are the costs of the plan or service in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors that offer the same solar energy services.
- Unique perks (10): Does the company offer discounts or special services such as financial incentives, rebates, or a useful mobile app? We looked for extras each company offers that set them apart from the competition.
- Customer Service (10): How is the customer experience when contacting the company? We considered the speed of response, weekend/holiday availability, and ease of communication through phone calls, email, and online chat functions.
- Nationwide availability (10): How many states does the company offer its services? Companies that operate nationally and in all zip codes are favored over those with limited availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is solar worth it in Washington State?
Yes, we very much recommend you purchase a solar energy system for your home. Solar can save you tons of money on your utility bills and help reduce your production of emissions and your carbon footprint. Plus, various federal, state, and local financial incentives are available in Washington State to purchase solar panels accessible to anyone!
How much will my electricity bill go down with solar in Washington State?
People living in Washington State pay an average of $95.72 per month for electricity, meaning they can save as much as $1,149 each year that their solar panels produce electricity. Because solar panels are so durable, you can expect to reap these rewards for more than 25 years.
With a payback period of 5.6 to 6.9 years, you can save thousands of dollars annually in almost half a decade. Over the lifetime of your photovoltaic (PV) equipment, you will experience net savings between $41,542 and $50,774, or around $10,846, after the panels pay for themselves.
How much does it cost for solar panels in Washington State?
The average cost of a solar panel installation in Washington State ranges from $12,452 to $16,848. On a cost-per-watt basis, solar panel installation in Washington State is between $2.49 and $3.37. These costs have come down significantly in recent years. If you purchase a larger system (more watts), your cost will increase in addition to your energy production. With energy bills increasing amid high oil and gas prices, the relative cost of solar is bound to decline further.
Can you get solar panels for free in Washington State?
While it is not very likely that you can get solar panels for free in Washington State, you are lucky to have the support of numerous federal, state, and local financial incentives that will help to minimize the costs associated with purchasing a new solar energy system.
What solar rebates are available in Washington State?
Washington State has many federal, state, and local financial incentives for purchasers of solar energy systems. These include the federal government’s Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), the Washington State Sales Tax Exemption, and many local and private incentives.
How many homes in Washington State have solar panels?
There is enough solar installed in Washington State to power 30,700 homes, accounting for 0.33% of the state’s electricity production.
Do solar panels increase property taxes in Washington State?
Yes, Washington State does not offer an exemption from increased property taxes resulting from your home’s rising value when you install solar panels. But don’t worry because other savings will more than cover the cost of these increased tax rates.
How much can you write off for solar panels on taxes in Washington State?
Washington State taxpayers can write off many costs associated with purchasing new solar panel systems. Check out the Washington State government’s website for more information about incentive programs. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August of 2022 extended federal tax rebate programs for private homeowners and businesses alike. Both private and commercial solar power systems are eligible for rebates of 30% of their total cost through the end of 2032.
