Best Solar Companies in Seattle, Washington

We’ve talked to dozens of Washingtonians who have already gone through the solar panel installation process. Here’s what Seattle residents should look out for when choosing a solar panel installation company. We’ll also touch on overall costs and ways to save with government incentives.

Solar panel costs in Seattle

A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $9,380 to $26,800 in Washington. Prices in Seattle are comparable, ranging from $9,450 to $27,000.

This doesn’t include an energy storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels: $7,000 to $18,000. A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or during outages. It’s worth considering if your area gets frequent blackouts or if you don’t opt into Seattle’s net metering program.

System size is the other major solar cost factor. The average Seattle household needs a system with a capacity of 12.57 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset their electricity costs. Depending on how much energy you and your family use, you might need a smaller or larger one.

Average total solar installation costs by system size in Seattle

How can I pay for solar panels?

Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease. Similar to leasing, a power purchase agreement (PPA) lets you get the benefits of solar without actually owning the equipment.

• Solar loans work like any other type of loan. They have relatively low fixed interest rates. Once you pay it off, you own your system outright. Seattle City Light customers can qualify for low-interest solar loans funded by the Sustainable Energy Trust.
• Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt. A potential downside to leasing is that you won’t be eligible for the federal solar tax credit.

» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy

Is solar worth it in Seattle?

Solar panels are generally worth it in Washington if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, Seattle homeowners with solar panels can avoid $67,458 in total utility costs over 25 years.

Switching to solar is also worth considering for the environmental benefits. The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 13 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).

We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house. Project Sunroof is a reliable online solar savings estimator.

Potential roof problems

As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels. This is an expensive and frustrating process.

» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?

How to find a reputable solar company in Seattle

In our experience, the best solar companies in Washington have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts. Watch out for door-to-door solar scams that attempt to gather your personal information, misleading claims, false advertising and aggressive sales tactics.

• Check certifications: In Washington, all electrical work (excluding work on your own property) must be done by a licensed electrical contractor using certified electricians. The state does not have specific solar licenses or certifications. We recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
• Read reviews: Avoid companies with recurring complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication.
• Get quotes: Get multiple quotes from different solar companies to compare prices and services. Be cautious of companies that provide significantly lower estimates than others — this may indicate lower quality.
• Ask questions: Do you need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if your system needs maintenance? If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.

Going solar in King County

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Seattle City Light both offer net metering. This lets homeowners with solar panels earn credits for any excess electricity they send into their local power grid. These credits can then be used to offset their electricity costs when their solar panels aren't producing enough energy, like at night or on cloudy days.

Residential solar panel incentives in Seattle

The 30% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is the best incentive for a lot of homeowners. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels. You can combine the ITC with local solar incentives in Washington to maximize savings. For instance, solar equipment is exempt from sales tax, and you can earn up to $5,000 per year through the feed-in tariff program.

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach, which was informed by our expert editors, to choose the best solar companies. We prefer to recommend those with a longer time in business and a solid track record of reliability in Seattle, Washington. For this guide, we objectively weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%

We analyzed solar company reviews by verified solar customers to gauge real-world satisfaction. Companies with generally positive feedback on our site scored highest in this aspect. Those with the most 4- and 5-star reviews by verified Seattle customers were given preference.

Warranties: 20%

A long warranty is important — it shows that a company stands behind its products and services. We compared companies on both equipment and craftsmanship warranty terms. All of our top picks for professional installation have warranties or production guarantees of at least 10 to 25 years.

Equipment selection: 20%

We evaluated each company’s selection of solar panels, storage batteries and inverters. Those with proprietary technology or a wide equipment selection from trusted brands ranked highest.

Financing and payment options: 20%

We gave preference to companies that offer multiple payment and financing options for transparent terms and conditions.

ConsumerAffairs Research Team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks:

1. Blue Raven Solar
2. Freedom Solar Power
3. ION Solar