Best Solar Panel Installation Companies in Washington - CNET

Nov 11, 2024

Don't let the cloudy weather hold you back. We found the best companies that install solar panels in Washington.

Should you go solar in Washington?

Despite Washington's cloudy, rainy weather, homeowners can still benefit from solar panels. Whether you're looking to save on your power bill or cash in on government incentives, we did the research for you to find the best solar panel companies in business in Washington.

The state's 100% clean electricity goal and the 2021 Climate Commitment Act have continually increased the role of renewable and clean energy sources (including solar) in power generation. The Inflation Reduction Act's federal tax credit is also a massive boon to homeowners looking to switch to clean energy, offering a 30% tax rebate on the cost of any clean energy additions to your home.

Washington state also offers net metering, which credits your household for sending excess energy produced by your solar panel system to the grid -- and allows you to pull energy from the grid when your solar panels can't produce the energy your home needs.

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Given the combination of state and federal solar incentives and utility rate increases, installing a solar system to ease your financial burdens and increase your energy independence might be a decision worth considering. Here's a look at some of the best solar installation companies, to help you get started.

EnergyPal is more than just a middleman. It'll handle your solar installation from beginning to end while also allowing you to benefit from its proprietary engine and competitive bidding process. The company offers a range of hardware for panels, batteries and inverters, has plentiful financing options and offers responsive customer service support.

Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

EnergyPal is both a marketplace and an energy advisor. It uses its proprietary quote builder engine to customize your solar system; then it'll contract with a local company and act as your single point of contact for everything from installation to permitting. Hardware options include solar panels, batteries and inverters from QCells, REC, Silfab, Aptos, Tesla, Enphase, SolarEdge and FranklinWH. You can expect a workmanship guarantee of 5-10 years, with manufacturer warranties of up to 30 years depending on the hardware. No weatherization warranty is offered. Customers can also take advantage of third-party monitoring tools, from Enphase, SolarEdge, Tesla and others. While EnergyPal isn't rated by the BBB, it receives positive customer reviews online and scores a 4.7 on Trustpilot.

Include Freedom Forever in your search if you want the backing of a national company that installs a wide variety of the most popular solar equipment available. Freedom Forever also extends a couple of products that take some of the pain and risk out of going solar, like a production guarantee and an escrow option with cash purchases. Online reviews say customer satisfaction has been low of late, though the company says that's changing.

Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., Wisconsin

Freedom Forever, one of the largest American solar installers, installs some of the most popular residential equipment. It offers a production guarantee and an uncommon cash escrow option is a welcome step toward a less stressful process.

Freedom Forever has had customer service issues, with complaints of paying for a nonfunctional system while dealing with poor communication and long waits. Some recent customers have had flawless experiences, but those reviews appear alongside many more negative ones. The company says things have turned around after a bad stretch, but it’s worth monitoring.

Purelight Power is the new kid on the block, but that doesn't mean it's second-rate. The solar company has been expanding rapidly into multiple states and has an in-house team that takes customers through every step of planning, permitting and installation. Warranty periods are fairly standard, but the company offers solar panels from companies like Silfab, SEG and Tesla Solar, battery options from Tesla Powerwall and Franklin Home Battery, and microinverters from Tesla.

Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Washington

Purelight Power was only founded in 2019, but the company has expanded rapidly and now operates in eight states. Like many other solar companies, Purelight has an in-house team that handles the solar installations and it works with credit unions and financing partners to offer a "zero down offer," which works the same as a solar loan. It doesn't offer solar leases or power purchase agreements, but you can purchase cash. Hardware offerings are strong, with tier-one solar panels from Silfab, SEG and Tesla Solar. While they aren't CNET's top-ranked panels, they're reliable and well-known brands. Battery options are stronger, with the Tesla Powerwall and Franklin Home Battery being among the best solar battery options around. Warranty periods are standard, with a 25-year production warranty for most solar panel offerings, with some longer at 30. Purelight Power offers a standard 10-year warranty for labor and weatherization.

Tesla's solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk's ventures. Even Tesla's Solar Roof seems to get more love.

If price is the thing you won't budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall.

Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla's service is a bit of a gamble.

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Solar panels from Tesla are likely to be the cheapest option where they are available. You can save thousands of dollars, without sacrificing on quality of equipment or the warranties that protect it.

What you might sacrifice is customer service. From delays to price changes, to slow responses, to system malfunctions, social media reports of negative experiences aren't hard to find, including some who regret their choice. This is true of all solar companies, but the quantity of reports concerning Tesla is concerning.

National solar panel installers aren't the only options you have. Here are some local companies we found that you may want to consider.

Based in Seattle, A&R Solar installs solar panels, batteries and EV chargers for residential and commercial customers. It also provides energy monitoring services. The company begins its installation with a home energy audit to assess your energy use and identify your energy-saving goals. According to A&R Solar, its in-house experts will review financing options and all incentives before installing a solar system. The company doesn't offer solar leasing or power purchase agreements. A&R Solar says you'll get 10-year performance, 10-year quality of work and 10-year free equipment replacement warranties on top of a manufacturer warranty of up to 25 years.

Blossom Solar is a full-service solar and battery installer based in northwestern Washington state. Before installation, Blossom Solar experts will conduct an energy audit of your home, help you design your solar system, manage all the required paperwork and local permitting, and organize the final inspection with your city officials. The company says it gives a 25-year product warranty and a 10-year quality-of-work warranty. It doesn't offer a solar lease or power purchase agreements.

Puget Sound Solar has been in the solar business for 20 years. The company installs solar panels, batteries and EV chargers for residential and commercial customers. It also provides 24/7 monitoring of your solar system. With Puget Sound Solar, you get 10-year performance and 25-year quality of work warranties. The company partners with Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union, Generations Credit Union and Verity Credit Union, offering its customers zero-money-down financing options.

You have a lot of choices when it comes to getting solar panels. The most important step is to get quotes from several companies and compare their prices and offerings. Make sure these quotes are coming from companies that have sent someone out to examine your home and your rooftop and discuss your energy use and priorities.

Consider a company's product offerings, warranties, price and reputation when making a decision. Ask around with your friends and neighbors who have gotten solar, and check online reviews to see if a company does a good job.

Here's a look at the average cash price for a typical solar panel system in Washington state before factoring in tax credits and incentives, according to data from FindEnergy.com. The average cost for solar panels in Washington state falls in line with the national average.

The map below shows the average total price, cost per watt and system size for solar panels in different states, according to data from FindEnergy.com. The prices shown do not represent savings from tax credits or state solar incentives. If FindEnergy doesn't have solar data for a particular state, it appears grayed out on the map.

Washington residents have several solar incentives to save thousands when purchasing residential solar panels. The residential clean energy credit, a federal solar tax credit program previously known as the investment tax credit, is one of the most important solar incentives available for American homeowners. This credit lets you claim 30% of the cost of a solar system from your federal income taxes for the year. While the credit is available until 2034, it will drop to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034 and terminate in 2035, unless renewed.

You can receive the clean energy credit by filling out and submitting form 5695 (PDF) to the IRS. Go over the IRS instructions on how to complete this form. After the IRS approves your documents, your solar savings will appear as a credit when you file your federal tax return. The credit will lower your tax burden and give you a higher refund.

In addition to the clean energy credit, Washington residents can take advantage of a few state incentives.

Program

Description

Net metering

Washington's net metering policy allows solar owners to send their excess solar generation back to the power grid and get credits on their electric bill at their utility's retail value.

Solar easement laws

The state's Solar Easement and Rights Laws allow you to voluntarily sign a solar easement agreement with your neighbors to ensure your solar panels have access to sunlight. The laws limit the ability of homeowners' associations to ban solar panel installations on a resident's property.

Solar tax exemption

Washington offers a 100% sales tax exemption on all solar systems of up to 100 kW and labor costs pertinent to solar installation. You can claim the sales tax exemption when filing your state tax returns.

Residential clean energy credit

Allows you to claim 30% of the total cost of your solar panel system back in federal tax credits.

Property tax exemption

Some states have regulations that exempt your property taxes from increasing after a solar panel installation increases your home value. At this time, Washington state does not have this regulation in place.

Community solar

Community solar programs allow you to tap into solar energy without the costly commitment of installing panels by subscribing to a shared solar array through your utility. Typically this leads to a energy bill discount. Check with your local utility to see if community solar is available to you.

CNET recently ranked states based on their residential solar policies: the laws and regulations affecting consumer-level solar panel installation and adoption. These policies play a major role in determining how accessible and affordable a solar panel system is to the average resident.

Each state was evaluated through a methodology and scored based on eight categories. The final score was converted to a letter grade.

Here's how your state scored on CNET's solar policy test.

Grade: D

Incentives available:

Strongest scoring categories:

Washington residents have the best exchange rate on electricity with retail rate net metering, and solar equipment within the state is fully exempt from any sales tax. Community solar programs allow renters and homeowners alike to pull energy from solar panels for a fee statewide.

Categories to improve:

Washingtonians have no access to a state solar tax credit, and there are no other low-income solar programs in the state to make residential installation more accessible. The state also doesn't exempt solar panel systems from property taxes, which is going to be a hit to solar savings year after year.

You have a few routes to go solar in Washington. Choosing what's right for you will depend on your circumstances.

Cash: If you purchase a solar system with cash, you immediately assume full ownership. You will avoid any interest or loan fees associated with taking out a loan. The federal residential clean energy credit can help you recoup some of the high upfront cost of your investment (details on that below). Consider saving up for your future solar panels in a high-yield savings account.

Solar loans: If you don't have cash to pay for solar panels, but still want to own them, taking out a solar loan is the next best option. These loans, typically offered by your solar installer, are another option that is still eligible for the federal tax credit. Keep in mind that interest and fees can lead to higher costs over time.

Other loans: You don't have to borrow money from your solar company or the partner they recommend. You can also pay for solar panels -- and get the full federal tax credit -- with loans from banks and other lenders. That includes home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, which are secured by your home. Be careful: If you don't pay back a home equity loan or HELOC, your lender can foreclose.

Leasing: If you lease, you sign a long-term contract with a solar developer. The developer will install solar panels on your property and charge you a monthly rate (it's like paying rent) for using the energy from the panels. Unfortunately, you won't get any government incentives since you don't own leased panels. As the owner of the panels, the solar developer will receive all the incentives.

Power purchase agreement: With a power purchase agreement, a solar developer installs solar panels on your property and charges you a fixed price per kilowatt-hour for the energy generated by the panels. Like solar leasing, the company supplying electricity to your home through a power purchase agreement retains ownership over the solar panels and takes advantage of all government incentives.

While investing in solar isn't cheap, it's worth considering full ownership of a solar system by buying or financing it since they often save the most in the long term. If you buy your panels, the average payback period is estimated to be between six and 12 years. If you can't afford solar panels, a lease or power purchase agreement could be an affordable alternative.

Just looking for an emergency backup? Check out our list of the best portable solar panels and solar generators.

Before going solar, it's good to consider whether potential constraints outweigh the benefits of installing solar panels.

Roof condition and pitch: A roof's pitch can play an essential role in determining the cost of a solar system. See if your roof has the right pitch to maximize solar production. Based on the US Department of Energy's calculations, an angle between 15 and 40 degrees is ideal for panel performance. Consulting with a professional solar installer will help determine if your roof needs repair or replacement before installing solar panels.

Insurance coverage: Incorporating your solar equipment into your homeowner's insurance policy is an excellent way to add more protection to your system. Call your insurance company if your policy would extend to the solar system. If it does, remember to add your solar panels to your insurance after installing them.

Commitment vs. time: Before you commit to solar, calculate how long you will live in your home. Buying or financing a solar system or signing a lease or power purchase agreement are long-term commitments. If you move in a few years, you may not fully realize your solar investment.

Homeowners Associations (HOA) regulations: Washington has solar access laws in place that prevent any HOA from outright banning solar panels. There still may be some restrictions or requirements so it's best to check with your HOA and local government to make sure you're following all the guidelines.

Your location: Where you live and how many sunny days per year you receive. Washington receives 2.8 - 4.4 peak sun hours per year. Even though some experts say four peak sun hours per day is ideal for going solar, getting solar panels in Washington can still be beneficial. A reputable solar installer will help you make this determination.

Renting vs owning: If you rent your home rather than owning it, it will be really difficult to convince your landlord or property manager to get them. Renters can sign up for community solar -- a subscription to a solar farm through your utility -- with no commitment or buying panels.

Methodology

The companies we listed above as "the best" are curated from CNET's best solar companies list. Companies making the best list are scored on the equipment, warranties and customer service they offer. Then, we make sure these recommendations are available in your state. You can read a full breakdown of how we review solar companies here.

Companies listed under the local installers were chosen in a less rigorous way. We chose them because they offered something unique or notable to customers in the state, they seemed well-regarded by internet reviewers or because they were one of the few installers we could find information on in the state.

Whether we've completed a full review on a company or not, it's always a good idea to get multiple quotes from different installers before choosing a company.

How long do solar panels last?

Solar panels undergo rigorous testing and are designed to withstand harsh conditions, including strong winds, rain and snowfall. Locations with severe weather conditions often provide specific installation instructions to ensure solar panels' secure and safe placement. While most solar manufacturers give 25-year product and performance warranties, the panels can last many years beyond the warranty period with proper care.

Is it worth getting solar panels in rainy states like Washington?

Yes, it can be worth going solar in Washington. Solar panels produce power using direct and indirect sunlight, which means they still make some electricity during cloudy days. Their generation capacity will be much lower when it's overcast. Rain has its benefits; it improves the production of solar panels by washing away dust and dirt.

Will solar panels raise my homeowner's insurance premium?

Typically, the installation of solar panels doesn't lead to an increase in your homeowner's insurance premium. Every insurance company handles solar panels differently, so it's worth checking with your insurance company if solar panels will impact your insurance premium and by how much.

Do all solar panels have the same efficiency rating?

Some solar panels are more efficient than others. See CNET's list of most efficient solar panels and how they compare.

Article updated on November 10, 2024 at 4:04 PM PST

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