PUD No 1 of Benton County and solar
PUD No 1 of Benton County is a public power district serving about 50,835 homes in Washington. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is not worth it.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 9.8¢31% below Washington average
- Typical bill
- $1171,195 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- RetailFull retail net metering
- Typical payback
- 20 yrs5.3 kW, cash
Export rules for PUD No 1 of Benton County customers
Full retail net metering (Washington rule).
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.
Solar for a typical PUD No 1 of Benton County home
| System | 5.3 kW (50% of 1,195 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $15,955 |
| First-year savings | $703 |
| Payback | 20.0 years |
| 25-year net | $6,036 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Questions about PUD No 1 of Benton County and solar
Does PUD No 1 of Benton County have net metering?
PUD No 1 of Benton County follows Washington's rules: 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.
How much does electricity cost with PUD No 1 of Benton County?
Residential customers paid an average of 9.1¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 9.8¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,195 kWh a month, a bill of about $117.
Is solar worth it with PUD No 1 of Benton County?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 5.3 kW system costing about $15,955 pays back in about 20 years, with $6,036 net over 25 years.
How many PUD No 1 of Benton County customers have solar?
About 1,304 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 2.6% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: PUD No 1 of Benton County (EIA ID 1579). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.