Is solar worth it in Washington?
For a typical Washington home in 2026, solar is a close call: about a 16.2-year payback and $18,082 saved over 25 years after paying for the system. Check your own home, because roofs, usage and utilities vary a lot.
- Payback, typical home
- 16.2 yrs8 kW, paying cash
- Electricity price
- 14.1¢per kWh, U.S. 18.0¢
- Solar production
- 1,108kWh per kW per year
- Exports credited at
- RetailFull retail net metering
The numbers for a typical Washington home
| Electricity use | 926 kWh a month (Washington average) |
|---|---|
| Best-value system | 8 kW, producing 8,861 kWh a year (80% of use) |
| Price | $22,300 at about $2.85/W |
| First-year savings | $1,251 |
| Payback | 16.2 years |
| 25-year net | $18,082 (4.5% a year return) |
| Rate increase assumed | 3.8% a year, from Washington's 2015–2025 history |
Paying cash, no federal credit, 5% discount rate, microinverters, $25 per kW a year for maintenance and repairs. Methodology.
Why it comes out this way
- Electricity is cheap: 14.1¢ per kWh, 22% below the U.S. average (18.0¢), so each solar kWh saves less.
- Most utilities credit exported solar at or near the retail rate, so you get full value for midday surplus.
- A typical system here produces about 1,108 kWh per kW per year (ranked #50 of 51).
- There is no federal tax credit for homeowners who buy in 2026, which adds several years to payback compared with 2025.
Net metering and export rules in Washington
Full retail net metering. Washington utilities must offer 1:1 net metering until June 30, 2029 or until they hit a 4% capacity threshold. Credits roll over monthly but are forfeited at the annual reset (usually April 30). Pacific Power has proposed switching new customers to net billing from Feb 2027.
Exports credited 1:1 in kWh at retail.
- Netting: annual
- Unused credits: kWh credits roll over; unused credits forfeited without compensation at annual reset (April 30 for most utilities; March billing for Pacific Power).
- System size limit: 100 kW
- Fixed charges: Standard basic charges; some successor tariffs (small utilities) reduced system size and export value.
- Last major change: RCW 80.60 amended 2019 (threshold 4% / 2029). PSE extended Schedule 150 past threshold (UE-231031, 2024).
- Pending: Pacific Power WA net billing proposal (effective date delayed by UTC to Feb 2027; grandfathering for applications by 2027-02-01 for 25 years). WA State Academy of Sciences final NEM report due 2026-10-01.
Read net metering explained to see why export rules can swing payback by years.
| Utility | Export credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puget Sound Energy | 13¢/kWh | Schedule 150 extended beyond statutory threshold until a replacement schedule is in place. |
| Seattle City Light | ~100% of retail | Retail NEM. |
| Avista Utilities (WA) | ~100% of retail | ~78% of threshold (Jan 2026); no successor tariff. |
| Snohomish County PUD | ~100% of retail | Verify threshold status. |
| Pacific Power (PacifiCorp) - WA | ~100% of retail | Proposed net billing at avoided-cost export rate for applications after Feb 1, 2027 (pending UTC). |
Solar incentives in Washington
The federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. What that means.
| Program | Type | What you get | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales and use tax exemption for solar | sales tax exemption | 100% exemption from state and local sales tax on equipment and installation for systems up to 100 kW AC, installed through 2029-12-31 (RCW 82.08.962). 101-500 kW: 50% remittance. Eligibility: Systems <=100 kW AC; seller must meet requirements. | active |
What solar costs in Washington
A fair cash price is around $2.85 per watt before incentives. For the 8 kW system that fits a typical home, expect roughly $19,400 to $27,400; smaller systems cost more per watt.
How many homes have solar
- Homes with net-metered solar (2025)
- 66,257
- Share of homes
- 1.9%
- Residential solar capacity
- 511 MW
- Growth over the past year
- +11.0%
Sources: EIA-861 (2025), EIA small-scale solar estimates, LBNL Tracking the Sun and state interconnection data.
Electric utilities in Washington
| Utility | Homes served | Price (2026 est.) | Typical use | Typical-home verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puget Sound Energy | 1,104,338 | 18.2¢ | 863 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| City of Seattle | 472,309 | 15.8¢ | 594 kWh/mo | Close call |
| PUD No 1 of Snohomish County | 349,905 | 13.0¢ | 937 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Avista | 247,159 | 14.3¢ | 911 kWh/mo | Close call |
| PUD No 1 of Clark County | 223,119 | 11.4¢ | 983 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| City of Tacoma | 177,554 | 12.3¢ | 919 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| PacifiCorp (Rocky Mountain Power / Pacific Power) | 114,998 | 14.7¢ | 816 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| PUD No 1 of Benton County | 50,835 | 9.8¢ | 1,195 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| PUD No 1 of Cowlitz County | 48,849 | 9.9¢ | 1,296 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| PUD No 2 of Grant County | 43,160 | 6.6¢ | 1,644 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| PUD No 1 of Chelan County | 42,571 | 4.0¢ | 1,754 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Inland Power & Light | 42,351 | 10.2¢ | 1,435 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| PUD No 1 of Grays Harbor County | 40,116 | 13.6¢ | 1,045 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Peninsula Light | 35,595 | 12.1¢ | 1,224 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| PUD No 3 of Mason County | 34,378 | 15.5¢ | 1,125 kWh/mo | Close call |
| PUD No 1 of Clallam County | 30,934 | 13.0¢ | 1,242 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| PUD No 1 of Lewis County | 29,779 | 10.8¢ | 1,395 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| PUD No 1 of Franklin County | 27,692 | 10.7¢ | 1,214 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| City of Richland | 26,340 | 10.7¢ | 1,200 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| PUD No 1 of Jefferson County | 18,750 | 14.9¢ | 988 kWh/mo | Close call |
| PUD No 1 of Okanogan County | 18,230 | 11.2¢ | 1,385 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| PUD No 1 of Douglas County | 16,909 | 3.4¢ | 2,300 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| PUD No 2 of Pacific County | 16,586 | 10.0¢ | 973 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Elmhurst Mutual Power & Light | 15,538 | 9.3¢ | 1,256 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Orcas Power & Light Cooperative | 14,034 | 20.4¢ | 942 kWh/mo | Worth it |
Solar by city in Washington
- Seattle15.9-yr payback · Close call
- Spokane14.5-yr payback · Close call
- Tacoma20-yr payback · Not worth it
- Vancouver20.6-yr payback · Not worth it
- Bellevue13.6-yr payback · Worth it
- Kent13.9-yr payback · Worth it
- Everett20.1-yr payback · Not worth it
- Spokane Valley14.7-yr payback · Close call
- Renton13.9-yr payback · Worth it
- Federal Way13.1-yr payback · Worth it
- Yakima13-yr payback · Worth it
- Bellingham13.5-yr payback · Worth it
- Kirkland13.3-yr payback · Worth it
- Auburn13.9-yr payback · Close call
- Kennewick19.9-yr payback · Not worth it
- Pasco17.2-yr payback · Not worth it
- Redmond14-yr payback · Close call
- Marysville20.5-yr payback · Not worth it
- South Hill13.5-yr payback · Worth it
- Sammamish14.1-yr payback · Close call
- Lakewood13.4-yr payback · Worth it
- Richland20.1-yr payback · Not worth it
- Shoreline16-yr payback · Close call
- Lacey13.5-yr payback · Worth it
- Olympia13.6-yr payback · Worth it
- Burien13.2-yr payback · Worth it
- Bothell14-yr payback · Close call
- Bremerton13.5-yr payback · Worth it
- Puyallup13.5-yr payback · Worth it
- Edmonds15.9-yr payback · Close call
- Lake Stevens20.4-yr payback · Not worth it
- Lynnwood19.8-yr payback · Not worth it
- Issaquah13.8-yr payback · Worth it
- Parkland13.7-yr payback · Worth it
- Longview23.3-yr payback · Not worth it
- WenatcheeNo payback · Not worth it
- Mount Vernon14.1-yr payback · Close call
- Graham13.5-yr payback · Worth it
- University Place13.2-yr payback · Worth it
- Spanaway13.9-yr payback · Worth it
- Walla Walla13.8-yr payback · Worth it
- Des Moines12.9-yr payback · Worth it
- SeaTac13.5-yr payback · Worth it
- Pullman14.4-yr payback · Close call
- Orchards21.4-yr payback · Not worth it
- Maple Valley14.2-yr payback · Close call
- Camas21.3-yr payback · Not worth it
- Tumwater13.4-yr payback · Worth it
- Moses LakeNo payback · Not worth it
- Mill Creek East13.8-yr payback · Worth it
- Frederickson13.9-yr payback · Worth it
- Mercer Island13.9-yr payback · Worth it
Protect yourself when buying
- Check the license. L&I contractor registration plus L&I electrical contractor license (electrical work by certified electricians). Look up an installer
- Cancellation rights. Federal law gives you 3 business days to cancel most door-to-door sales over $25. How to cancel
- HOA and solar access. Yes - RCW 64.38.055 / 64.90.513 bar HOAs from prohibiting solar panels (reasonable rules allowed).
- Community solar. Yes - utility community solar programs and Commerce low-income community solar grants.
Questions about solar in Washington
Is solar worth it in Washington in 2026?
For a typical Washington home, solar is a close call. A 8 kW system costing about $22,300 after state incentives saves about $1,251 in the first year and pays back in about 16.2 years. Your result depends on your roof, usage, utility and price, so run the calculator for your address.
How much do solar panels cost in Washington?
A reasonable cash price is around $2.85 per watt before incentives, or roughly $19,400 to $27,400 for a 8 kW system.
Does Washington have net metering?
Washington utilities must offer 1:1 net metering until June 30, 2029 or until they hit a 4% capacity threshold. Credits roll over monthly but are forfeited at the annual reset (usually April 30). Pacific Power has proposed switching new customers to net billing from Feb 2027.
Is there a solar tax credit in Washington?
The 30% federal credit for homeowners ended for systems installed after 2025. Washington does not offer a state income tax credit for solar that we're aware of.
How do I check a solar installer's license in Washington?
L&I contractor registration plus L&I electrical contractor license (electrical work by certified electricians).. Look up any installer with the state's license search at https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/.
Policy research current as of October 2026; sources include commerce.wa.gov, energy.wsu.edu, pacificpower.net. Electricity data: EIA, through July 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.