Solar Panel Cost in Washington (2026): Price, Payback, Incentives

Q: How much do solar panels cost in Washington?

At the state median installed price of $3.00 per watt (estimate), a 10.5 kW (estimate) system that covers a typical home's use costs about $31,500 (estimate) before incentives. Quotes vary with roof, equipment and installer.

Solar Panel Cost in Washington

A typical Washington home uses 955 kWh a month^[1] of electricity. Covering that with solar takes a system of about 10.5 kW est.^[1,2], which costs roughly $27,000 to $36,000 est.^[1,2,3] before incentives at the state's median installed price. With Washington's average residential price of 14.42¢ per kWh^[4], our model puts payback at about 16 years est.^[1,2,3,4,5]. Your quote, roof and utility plan will move these numbers, so treat them as a starting point.

Washington solar at a glance

Average electricity price14.42¢/kWh^[4]Jan–Aug 2026 average (preliminary)

Average home use955 kWh/mo^[1]2024 average

Solar output per kW1,088 kWh/yr^[2]PVWatts estimate for Seattle

Median installed price$3.00/W^[3]Estimate, before incentives

Typical system10.5 kWSized to cover 100% of use

Typical price$31,500Estimate, before incentives

Year-1 savings$1,650Estimate

Payback16 yearsEstimate, cash purchase

Estimates use the inputs above and the assumptions in our methodology: Washington net metering: exports credited at the retail rate (statewide rule; your utility's tariff may differ). Prices rise 2.5% a year; panels lose 0.5% a year.

Solar cost in Washington by system size

Same assumptions as the typical home above; only the system size changes. Prices are the state median before incentives and include the incentives our calculator applies by default in Washington.

Estimated cost, output and payback by system size in Washington
System	Price before incentives^[3]	After incentives	kWh in year 1^[2]	Year-1 savings^[4]^[5]	Payback (years)
4 kW	$12,000	$12,000	4,350	$630	16
6 kW	$18,000	$18,000	6,530	$940	16
8 kW	$24,000	$24,000	8,700	$1,260	16
10 kW	$30,000	$30,000	10,880	$1,570	16
12 kW	$36,000	$36,000	13,060	$1,650	18

Incentives that lower the price in Washington

Federal · tax creditEnding soon

Business credit for leased and PPA systems (48E)

Claimed by the system owner, not the homeowner; solar must begin construction by July 4, 2026 or be in service by December 31, 2027^[6]

If a company owns the panels on your roof (a lease or power purchase agreement), that company may claim the business clean electricity investment credit and can reflect it in your price. You cannot claim it yourself.

Who: Third-party-owned systems (leases and PPAs). Ask the provider whether the price assumes this credit.
Deadline: December 31, 2027
Checked: November 5, 2026

State · tax exemptionAvailable

Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Solar Systems up to 100 kW (RCW 82.08.962(1)(e))

100% of state and local sales tax on solar equipment and installation labor for systems of 100 kW AC or less^[7]

Solar systems of no more than 100 kW AC installed (begun no earlier than July 1, 2019, completed by December 31, 2029) by a seller holding RCW 18.27 contractor registration with no recent wage-law violations; the buyer gives the seller an exemption certificate. The section itself expires January 1, 2030.

Who: Solar systems of no more than 100 kW AC installed (begun no earlier than July 1, 2019, completed by December 31, 2029) by a seller holding RCW 18.27 contractor registration with no recent wage-law violations; the buyer gives the seller an exemption certificate. The section itself expires January 1, 2030.
Deadline: December 31, 2029
Checked: November 5, 2026

All Washington incentives, including utility and local programs →

How Washington utilities credit your solar

Every Washington utility must offer net metering until June 30, 2029 or until net-metered capacity reaches 4% of its 1996 peak, whichever comes first. Monthly excess kWh roll forward as kWh credits, and any credits left on March 31 go to the utility unpaid. Puget Sound Energy's Schedule 150 stays open to new customers past its December 31, 2025 date until a replacement tariff is in place. No replacement had been filed with the UTC as of the October 2026 tariff copy.^[5]

We have not added every Washington utility yet, so the estimates on this page use the state-level rule: Washington net metering: exports credited at the retail rate (statewide rule; your utility's tariff may differ).

Full Washington net metering and export-credit rules →

Next steps

Run the solar calculator with Washington defaults and your own bill.
Washington solar incentives
Washington net metering and export credits
How to vet installers in Washington
Spot solar sales red flags and compare financing before you sign.

Frequently asked questions

How much do solar panels cost in Washington?

At the state median installed price of $3.00 per watt est.^[3], a 10.5 kW est.^[1,2] system that covers a typical home's use costs about $31,500 est.^[1,2,3] before incentives. Quotes vary with roof, equipment and installer.

How long does solar take to pay for itself in Washington?

For a cash purchase at the state's average electricity price of 14.42¢ per kWh^[4], our model estimates about 16 years est.^[1,2,3,4,5]. Your utility's export credit and rate plan matter a lot; see the export-credit table above.

Is there still a federal solar tax credit?

Not for homeowners who buy. The Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D)^[8] does not apply to systems whose installation is completed after December 31, 2025. Leased and PPA systems are different: the company that owns the system may still claim a business credit.

Change log

Nov 5, 2026What the rule says updated to “On March 31st of each calendar year, any remaining unused credits for kilowatt-hours accumulated during the previous year shall be granted to the electric utility, without any compensation” (RCW 80.60.030 - Net energy measurement, charges for kilowatt-hour consumption, and credits for excess kilowatt-hour generation).