4 Best Solar Companies in Washington of June [current_date format=”year”

Although Washington State’s cold and rainy weather may suggest otherwise, solar power has grown over the past decade. An increasing number of Washington residents are switching to solar, and more are looking for reliable installers in the process. With our analysis of the state’s solar providers, we can help. According to our research, the best solar companies in Washington are SunPower, Blue Raven, Lumio and Tesla.

Our experts at the MarketWatch Guides Team shortlisted the above companies based on extensive surveys and discussions with industry experts and solar organizations. We built a detailed methodology to rate and review each solar company we recommend.

If you’re a homeowner looking to go solar, picking a solar company that works for your home and suits your budget can be quite a task. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a solar installer.

1. Cost and financing: Although solar panels save homeowners a lot of money in the long run, their initial cost can discourage some people. Price is a major barrier to entry for a new solar system. We recommend choosing a company that offers quality features that make sense, warranties that are long and a price tag that seems appropriate. Most solar installers offer payment options like leases, power purchase agreements (PPA) and solar loans. This can help you to pay the upfront cost over time.

1. Trustworthiness: It’s important to choose a trustworthy solar installer. You’re investing in a system that costs a lot of money and one that should last 30 years or more. Choose a company that will provide devoted post-installation support and good installation quality. Before picking an installer, check the BBB ratings and customer reviews to gauge the reputation of the companies you’re considering. You can also check a company’s credentials and certifications online.

1. Services offered: In addition to getting solar panels, you can reduce your energy bills by upgrading your insulation and lighting, which some solar companies can do. To get your system installed, you may need to repair or alter your roof or remove a tree. These are other services solar companies can sometimes take care of. Make a list of any necessary upgrades before approaching an installer.

You can also check out the Energy Department’s guide to solar to learn more about choosing an installer.

The average cost of going solar in Washington State is $2.83 per watt of installed capacity. That’s in line with the U.S. average cost of solar. A typical 5 kW home solar system in Washington can cost more than $14,000 before any incentives or rebates kick in. Below is a table that outlines the costing and other information for the four best solar companies in Washington.

*Pricing data is based on responses to our March 2023 solar cost survey of 1,000 homeowners with solar systems. Cost estimates for Lumio are based on online customer reviews. Your price may vary. BBB ratings are accurate as of May 2023.

With 148 solar companies operating in Washington, residents enjoy a range of options to choose from. Solar panel buyers willing to go with a reputable brand can opt for SunPower or Tesla, while those looking for a fast installation can go with Lumio.

Other noteworthy solar companies in Washington include Seattle-based Sunergy, United Solar, Puget Sound Solar and A&R Solar. Washington also houses a large solar panel manufacturing facility in Bellingham. Silfab Solar owns the facility.

Washington has a Renewable Energy Standard that aims to generate 100% of the state’s energy from renewable sources. Its energy strategy also leans toward decarbonization. However, the state does not have a large number of solar incentives. Nevertheless, the available federal and state incentives can still help homeowners save thousands of dollars by going solar.

Federal Incentives

The only federal incentive available to Washingtonians is the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Also known as the federal solar tax credit, the incentive lets homeowners deduct up to 30% of their solar system’s cost on their next year’s income taxes. Considering the average solar cost of $14,150 in Washington, its residents can save well over $4,000 thanks to the ITC.

Statewide Incentives

• Renewable Energy Projects Sales & Use Tax Exemptions: Solar power systems are exempt from sales tax in Washington, saving solar residents 6.5% of their system’s value.
• Net metering: Net metering allows solar panel owners to send excess power into the grid in exchange for energy credits. You can use credits to buy grid power.

We closely evaluated seven crucial factors for comparing solar panel installation companies. Based on a 100-point scale, we came up with each provider’s score out of five stars. Here’s how we assessed each company:

• Cost and payment options (20 points): Companies that offer cash purchases and in-house loan financing earned full points in this category. Companies also receive bonus points if they offer solar panel leasing or power purchase agreements (PPAs).
• Services (20 points): Besides solar installations, companies offering backup battery and electric vehicle (EV) charger installations, energy efficiency audits and system monitoring earned the most points in this category. We also allotted points to companies that completed all their installations in-house (as opposed to contracting out installers).
• Reputation (20 points): We considered each company’s Google star rating, BBB customer review rating, BBB customer complaint response rate and NABCEP certification status to award each company its reputation score.
• Warranty (15 points): We verified that each company offers workmanship, product and performance warranties on all of its solar installs. Providers earned more points if their warranties were at or above the industry-standard length (10 years for workmanship and product warranties and 25 years for performance warranties).
• Customer support (10 points): Solar companies that offered virtual consultations, a mobile app, 24/6 customer support and high customer satisfaction with backend support earned the most points in this category.
• Industry experience (10 points): Providers with 10 or more years of experience in the solar installation industry earned a perfect score in this category.
• Sustainability (5 points): Companies with a detailed sustainability statement, ESG disclosures, end-of-life panel disposal programs and community partnerships earned all five points in this category.

Aniket Bhor is a solar engineer who has spent nearly a decade studying and working in the solar power sector in the European, Asian and North American markets. He is a climate enthusiast and avid cyclist, and he also loves to lose himself in books and cooking.