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Washington · WA

Solar Panels in Washington:
Is It Worth It in 2026?

Washington averages 1109 kWh per kWp per year with 4.2 peak sun hours per day. At 13.81¢/kWh, an 8 kW system saves roughly $1,225/year and pays back in about 12.3 years.

💡 Washington has no sales tax on solar (saving 10.4%) and rising electricity rates. Eastern Washington (Spokane) gets 35% more sun than Seattle — dramatically better ROI.

Washington Solar at a Glance

Peak sun hours / day4.2 hrs
Avg solar yield1109 kWh/kWp/yr
Electricity rate13.81¢ / kWh
Avg payback (8 kW)12.3 years
Annual savings (8 kW)$1,225/yr
Net meteringFull retail net metering ✓

EIA data updated: April 11, 2026 · EIA, PVGIS v5.3

Solar Incentives in Washington

Federal ITC
30%

The 30% federal solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025. Cash and loan purchases no longer qualify. State incentives below still apply.

State Programs
Rebates & Exemptions

10.4% sales tax exemption, no state income tax = full federal ITC value, rising utility rates

Total Savings
Varies

Utility rebates, exemptions, and net metering still apply. Federal ITC expired Dec 2025. Plus sales tax exemption. Property value increase is tax-exempt.

All Available Incentives in Washington

Federal ITC (Section 25D) — Expired December 31, 2025 — no longer available for residential cash/loan
Sales Tax Exemption — Solar equipment is sales-tax exempt
Property Tax Exemption — Solar-added home value not taxed
Net Metering — Full retail net metering ✓

How Much Solar Power Do Washington Cities Get?

Real PVGIS yield data and EIA electricity rates for all 6 cities. Click any city for detailed payback calculations.

Seattle
1120.4 kWh/kWp · 12.2 yr payback
Spokane
1235.5 kWh/kWp · 11.1 yr payback
Tacoma
1088.6 kWh/kWp · 12.6 yr payback
Vancouver
1095.3 kWh/kWp · 12.5 yr payback
Bellevue
1127.2 kWh/kWp · 20 yr payback
Bellevue
1059.1 kWh/kWp · 12.9 yr payback
Kent
1054.9 kWh/kWp · 13 yr payback
Personalized estimate

Enter your monthly bill — get exact payback numbers for Washington.

Calculator
All Washington incentives

Full breakdown of credits, rebates, net metering, and SREC programs.

Incentives

Solar in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions

Is solar worth it in Seattle given the cloudy weather?
Seattle has moderate solar production (1,164 kWh/kWp/year), but solar still works — Germany, one of the world's top solar markets, has similar or less sun. With Washington's rising electricity rates and 10.4% sales tax exemption, Seattle solar pays back in 9–12 years. Eastern Washington cities like Spokane get 35% more sun and have payback periods of 6–8 years.
Does Washington state have a solar tax credit?
Washington has no state income tax, so there's no state solar tax credit to claim. However, all solar equipment is exempt from Washington's 10.4% combined sales tax — saving $1,800–$2,600 on a typical installation. All Washington residents qualify for the state solar incentives (federal ITC expired Dec 2025).

Going Solar in Washington: Step by Step

From first quote to first kilowatt — here is the typical timeline for a residential solar installation in Washington. Most homeowners complete this process in 6–12 weeks.

  1. 1
    Get 3 quotes

    Prices in Washington average $22,400 for an 8 kW system before incentives. Getting three quotes typically saves 10–15%. Use the same system size so you can compare apples to apples.

  2. 2
    Review your electricity bill

    Your last 12 months of usage determines the right system size. At 13.81¢/kWh in Washington, a system that offsets 90% of your bill hits the best cost-per-kWh sweet spot.

  3. 3
    Check state incentives

    Washington does not have a statewide solar tax credit, but utility rebates and net metering may still apply. 10.4% sales tax exemption.

  4. 4
    Sign contract & apply for permits

    Your installer pulls the building permit and files interconnection paperwork with your utility. Permit approval in Washington typically takes 1–4 weeks depending on your county.

  5. 5
    Installation day

    A standard 8 kW residential installation takes 1–2 days. Racking goes on first, then panels, then the inverter is wired to your main panel. The crew usually keeps the power on throughout.

  6. 6
    Utility inspection & interconnection

    After installation your utility inspects the system and approves grid connection. This final step can take 1–3 weeks. Once approved, your meter tracks both import and export.

Data summary for Washington: Washington averages 1109.0 kWh/kWp/year with 4.2 peak sun hours/day. Electricity costs 13.81¢/kWh. An 8 kW solar system saves ~$1,225/year and pays back in 12.3 years. 10.4% sales tax exemption, no state income tax = full federal ITC value, rising utility rates.