Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
A rooftop solar array will provide you with a renewable power source that will eventually pay for itself. Adopting solar energy can help you save money and shrink your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar providers and compiled a guide to the best solar companies in Washington. These reputable providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Putting solar panels on your roof could cut your electricity payments while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when looking at local solar installers are as follows.
It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. In Missouri, it's purely up to cities and counties issue contracting licenses. However, all contractors must register with the Missouri Secretary of State.
Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot to find out what previous customers are saying about local solar companies. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s reliability and customer service. Avoid companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
To find a solar installer that fits your budget, get free, detailed quotes from three to five providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Comparing several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.
Top-notch solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee covers installation issues, such as poor wiring, cracks in the panels, or poor alignment. A performance guarantee ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive warranties indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Going solar can help decrease your energy expenses. Be sure to weigh these aspects when determining the cost and value of solar panels.
Solar panel costs vary based on your system's capacity and the solar technology being used. The average solar system in Washington has a capacity of 7.2 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $3,370 per kilowatt; the average Washington homeowners spends roughly $16,974 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar installer will account for things like the panel type, capacity, and size of the planned system, and should include costs for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Amount:
Air-Source Heat Pump: $500-$900
Ductless Air-Source Heat Pump: $300-$500
Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $175-$200
Ground Source Heat Pump: $800-$2,000
Central Air Conditioner: $300-$500
Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM): $50-$100
Air Conditioner/Heat Pump Tune-Up: $75
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Financing contracts limited to 20 years or less; improvements must display a positive economic benefit over the life of the contract.
Incentive Amount:
Water Heater: $50
Ground-Source Heat Pumps: $750/ton
Ground-Source Heat Pump Replacement: $150/ton
Dual Fuel Heat Pumps: $150/ton
Basement/Crawl space/slab insulation: 50% of installed cost
Advanced Thermostat: 50% of installed cost
Heat Pump Water Heater: 50% of installed cost
Window Air Conditioning: 50% of installed cost
Business Lighting Rebate: Varies, visit program website or contact utility for details
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can raise your property values, reduce emissions, and qualify for tax benefits. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
Of course. The grid in Washington already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Washington amount to $1,183.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Washington, meaning your payback period could last 14.3 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
The specific types of maintenance you need will depend on the type of panels you're using. Regardless of type, you should inspect your panels for damage and clean them regularly. Many solar contractors in the Washington area offer low-cost maintenance plans to help you keep your panels healthy and make the most of your system.
Solar panels are gaining in popularity for their low upkeep costs and high efficiency under a variety of conditions. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
