Best Solar Panel Installation Companies in Seattle

While the mere mention of Seattle may conjure up images of gray skies and misty mountains, solar is surprisingly still an option for many homeowners. Seattle averages only around 150 sunny days per year. But otherwise, the weather is fairly mild -- it doesn't snow often, and the area isn't as prone to extreme hot or cold temperatures. Seattle's summer days are long too, with the sun often not completely setting until late in the evening. 

"Solar is a hard argument here, in a lot of ways," Stu Frothingham, communications director at Puget Sound Solar, told CNET. "It's cloudy here, and we get rain, and we have cheap electricity," he says, noting the fact that 60% of Washington's electricity is generated by hydroelectric dams. "So why would someone do this?"

There are a few reasons. A lot of people in and around Seattle are environmentally conscious. So even if a solar panel system won't save you a ton of money in terms of energy bills, it can help make your home more sustainable. Plus, with net metering in the state, you can sell excess energy from your solar panels to the grid, potentially earning you a little money on the side.

Best national solar panel companies in Seattle

The first step to going solar is finding an installer you can trust. There are plenty of solar panel companies to choose from. Many are small local companies with a presence in and around Seattle, but if you're interested in going with a large national company, we've pulled a couple of solid options from CNET's best solar companies list that operate in Seattle.

Local solar panel installers in Seattle

You don't have to go with a big national solar company. Sometimes going with a local company is a better move, and there are plenty of local installers to consider in Seattle. As always, be sure to familiarize yourself with everything a company does, including sales and installation and how that meshes with your solar plans. Here are a couple of highly rated local Seattle solar installers.

How to determine which solar company is best for me

Picking a solar company or installer isn't rocket science, but you shouldn't simply throw a dart at a board, either. At the very least, you'll want to do some basic research about the companies you're considering, read some reviews, ask tough questions and make sure they're packing what they say they're carrying. 

Solar is expensive, and you want to be sure you've picked an installer who's got everything under control and is going to be around for years to come. You'll want to pick an installer who has worked on similar homes to yours, who can compete on price and who will be upfront about the challenges you might have with a solar system in Seattle.

"Consumers need to be careful, as there have been some predatory companies out there," Frothingham said. "I'd encourage people to find a local installer who's been around for 10 years [at least.]" He says that it can be easier to do business with a company that has an established reputation in a given area, which is why it's important to do some homework.

Cost of solar panels in Seattle

Solar panel pricing can get a bit tricky. Because solar is such a site dependent purchase, any estimates you see online should be taken with a grain of salt. On a national scale, residential solar panels cost around $3.30 per watt, per data from energy consulting firm Wood Mackenzie. However, given that numerous factors and variables can change the price of panels from region to region, it can be difficult to tell just how much you might end up paying in Seattle. You'll want to remember that local tax incentives play a role too. 

With that in mind, here's how the cost breaks down in Washington, according to data from FindEnergy.

Cost of solar panels in Washington vs. the US

Seattle, Washington	9	$3.59	$32,310	$22,617
National average	6.67	$3.67	$31,558	$22,091

Seattle solar panel incentives and rebates

The best incentive you have to go solar in Seattle is the federal solar tax credit, which allows to to claim up to 30% of the total cost of your solar panel system on your taxes. Washington doesn't offer any state-level solar tax credits, but it does have a state-governed net metering policy. 

Net metering allows you to sell any excess energy your solar panels generate to the utility. And Washington's net metering policy is pretty favorable, compensating you at the utility's retail electric rate. Your solar panel system is also exempt from sales tax in Washington.

Seattle residential solar incentives

Federal residential clean energy credit	30% tax credit that can be claimed for a percentage of the cost of installing a solar system.
Net metering	The state of Washington has retail-rate net metering.
Does this state have community solar programs?	There are community solar projects in Washington.
Sales tax exemption	Solar systems are exempt from sales tax in Washington.

Installation factors to keep in mind

Every solar project is different. For that reason, you'll need to keep a whole host of variables in mind when teeing up a new solar system. This can be especially true in Seattle, where getting the most out of the limited sunlight available can make a big difference. 

"We get about 74% of our solar during six months out of the year," Frothingham said. "In the winter months, there's not much solar production." 

Taking care to orient and capture as many peak sun hours during the summer is important. Here are some of the main installation factors to keep in mind:

Your home's roof: The condition of your roof is important, as is the pitch and orientation. Again, you'll want to capture as much sunlight as possible, and getting an idea of how to orient your panels can go a long way to achieving that. Make sure to get any roof repairs you need out of the way before putting panels on the roof. Seattle peak sun hours: The longer the sun is at its highest, the more sunlight your panels will soak up. Seattle is lacking in sunshine compared to some other cities. Washington state receives 2.8 to 4.4 peak sun hours per day.
HOA regulations: Washington has solar access laws, so HOAs or other groups can't prevent you from installing a system.
Homeowners insurance: Check with your insurance company to see if installing a solar system will create any headaches and if they'll cover your new system on your existing policy.
Rain: It rains in the Northwest, and that can actually be a good thing for your panels. Frothingham says it can help keep your panels clean. But you'll want to think about drainage too.

How to pay for solar panels in Seattle

Solar panels aren't cheap, no matter where you're buying them. But if you're looking to purchase a solar system in Seattle, here are some of the most common ways you can pay for it.

Cash

If you're a homeowner with access to tens of thousands of dollars in cash -- either via savings or liquidating some investments -- that's one possible route to paying for a system. Paying in cash means you won't pay interest and you won't need to worry about calculating a solar payback period.

Solar loan

A solar loan is a loan or financing plan typically offered by a solar company. It's a viable option for financing a system, but you'll want to shop around for the best interest rate and terms to make sure you're getting a loan you can live with -- and that fits your budget.

HELOC/Home equity loan

Tapping your home's equity is another option, which can be done through a home equity line of credit or home equity loan. These types of loans allow you to borrow against your home's value to access cash. Just remember that if you can't make payments, you could lose your home.

Personal loan

A personal loan is fairly straightforward -- you can apply for one from a bank or credit union and see what terms you can get. Your credit will play a big role in the terms you're able to secure, but again, if you need to borrow money, this is just another option.

Other local payment programs 

Some organizations and institutions in Washington state also offer alternative financing options, such as sustainable energy trust loans or energy-smart loans. Compare your options and see what's available in your area.

Solar lease

You may be interested in leasing your solar system rather than buying it, especially if you don't have the money to pay upfront or can't find a viable loan option. Leasing the system means that you're renting it. You'll still have solar on the roof, but you'll be making monthly payments to a third-party company to use the system. 

Power purchase agreement

Power purchase agreements, which are available in Washington state, allow solar companies to install a solar system on your property but retain ownership of it. The company then sells the homeowner the generated power. Again, it's another option if the upfront costs of a system are too much.

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