Solar Panel Cost Guide in Washington, KS (2024 Update)
- Washington Solar Installation Cost: $17,872
- 25-Year Savings: $28,224
- Payback Period: 10.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Washington
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Washington.
In Washington, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.The average solar panel system size in Washington is around 7.6 kilowatts, meaning a cost of about $17,872 for a solar installation, or $25,557 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much solar panels could cost. The true cost of making the switch to solar can vary based on a few factors, such as what size system you need, your energy usage and what company you go with.Despite the large upfront cost, the average Washington homeowner can save around $21,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the advantages of solar.
For a free quote from a local solar company that has been pre-vetted by the EcoWatch team, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Washington
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-16,552 |
| 3 years | $-13,912 |
| 5 years | $-11,272 |
| 7 years | $-8,631 |
| 9 years | $-5,991 |
| 11 years | $-3,351 |
| 13 years | $-711 |
| 15 years | $1,929 |
| 17 years | $4,569 |
| 19 years | $7,209 |
| 21 years | $9,849 |
| 23 years | $12,489 |
| 25 years | $15,130 |
Top Solar Installers in Washington
DIY solar panel installation is a possibility, but it's an undertaking that can be a pain. Using an installer can make converting to solar power much easier. Also, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar power, going with a solar company can help with that too. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can install solar panels for you. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Washington
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Washington
There are several factors that can determine your total installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that does the installation.
Solar Equipment
Solar system size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s crucial to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your typical energy use.There are many different solar panel brands and the one you choose also changes the cost. In many cases, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also cost more. Plus, the type of equipment you’re looking to get can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be far less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system out of pocket is too expensive, solar loans are a solid choice because they cut back your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s vital to include that in your estimate as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and in some cases even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The last significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the booming popularity of clean energy solutions in Washington, you’ll have many options to choose from, but each comes at various price points for labor and equipment.The size of the company sometimes plays the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices due to more resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or promotion can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.47 | $14,589 | $18,442 | 11.0 years |
| 8 kW | $3.41 | $19,078 | $24,964 | 10.8 years |
| 10 kW | $3.34 | $23,380 | $31,672 | 10.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.27 | $27,495 | $38,568 | 10.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.21 | $31,423 | $45,650 | 10.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.14 | $35,164 | $52,920 | 10.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.07 | $38,717 | $60,377 | 9.8 years |
| 20 kW | $3.01 | $42,084 | $68,020 | 9.6 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the kind of solar panels and the installer you choose considerably impacts your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to pick the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for sustainable energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can look into your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.
- Contract: When looking through your solar company’s contract, ask questions about any terms you’re not sure of and make sure you understand what happens in scenarios like a system component breaking or the company going out of business.
- Solar Panel Brands: The brand of solar panel you want to install plays a role in which company you should go with, since different companies have different panels.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Washington, KS Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Washington?
This is a hard question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $16,700 for a 5-kW system and $33,400 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in Washington?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can’t afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don’t own the system, you can’t take advantage of many solar incentives. Also your home value won’t increase, so you’ll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most financial benefits from going solar.
Is going solar worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you need to know how much energy your home needs and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.