The 5 best solar installers in Washington
A geographically balanced top 5 spanning Seattle metro, NW Washington (Bellingham), South Sound (Olympia), and SW Washington (Vancouver) — so homeowners across western Washington have a local-to-them option in the top picks. For Eastern Washington (Spokane / Tri-Cities), see the Honorable mentions below.
A&R Solar Local
Why listed: Operating since 2007 — one of Washington's longest-running residential solar installers. NABCEP-certified, licensed electricians on staff. Certified B Corp, BBB A+. Tesla Powerwall and Enphase certified. Strongest credential stack among Seattle-metro installers and handles both PSE and Seattle City Light interconnection.
Puget Sound Solar Local
Why listed: Founded 2001 — among the very longest-tenured residential solar installers in the Pacific Northwest. NABCEP-certified, licensed electrical contractor. Strong design-and-engineering focus, with detailed PVWatts production modeling per site rather than generic-state averages.
Western Solar Local
Why listed: Bellingham-based residential and commercial installer operating since 2003. Licensed electrical contractor, NABCEP-certified. The strongest in-state option for homeowners north of Seattle — Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, and Island counties. Handles PSE, Puget Sound Energy, Snohomish PUD, and Whatcom-area co-op interconnections.
South Sound Solar Local
Why listed: Olympia-based residential and commercial installer focused on the South Sound market. Operating since 2009, NABCEP-certified, BBB A+. Licensed electrical contractor. The strongest in-state option for homeowners in the Olympia / Lacey / Tumwater / Centralia corridor — most Seattle-metro installers won't drive that far south.
Sunbridge Solar Local
Why listed: Vancouver-WA-based residential installer with deep SW Washington and Portland-metro coverage. Strongest in-state option for homeowners in Clark County (Vancouver / Camas / Battle Ground) — most Seattle-area installers won't service the SW Washington corner. Strong customer reviews across both WA and OR markets.
National installers National
Sunrun, Tesla Energy, and Palmetto Solar are the major national installers still actively taking new residential contracts as of 2026. Palmetto Solar currently holds EnergySage's Elite+ tier — the platform's highest installer rating. National installers typically have larger sales footprints but also higher financing markup and more variable local service quality than the state-based installers above.
Avoid — recently bankrupt or exited: Sunnova (Chapter 11 June 2025), the original SunPower (Chapter 11 August 2024 — the current "SunPower Inc." is rebranded Complete Solaria, a separate company), ADT Solar (exited residential solar January 2024 — warranty service only), Trinity Solar (East Coast only, doesn't serve most states), and Freedom Forever (Chapter 11 April 2026). If a salesperson contacts you under any of these brand names, ask which legal entity is actually signing the contract and warranty.
For the complete list of national installers with state coverage maps, financing terms, and ratings:
Washington solar economics in 2026
| Metric | Washington average |
|---|---|
| Average residential rate | $0.10–$0.13 / kWh |
| Typical 8 kW system cost (cash) | $22,000–$28,000 before incentives |
| Average $/W | $2.75–3.50 |
| Average annual production (kWh per kW) | ~1,000–1,200 kWh/kW/year |
| Net metering structure | Net metering at retail (PSE, Seattle City Light, Snohomish PUD, others) |
| Average cash payback | 13–17 years |
For full state-by-state cost comparison see solar cost by state.
Washington solar incentives and rebates (2026)
Washington stacks federal credit pathways (commercial Section 48E for businesses and third-party-owned residential), state-level credits/rebates where applicable, statutory tax exemptions, and utility-specific programs. Below is the 2026 picture with links to authoritative sources.
Federal credits (2026)
- Commercial Section 48E (Clean Electricity Investment Credit): Available to businesses, farms, and to third-party owners in lease/PPA structures (which can pass the benefit through as lower monthly payments). FEOC restrictions apply — see FEOC rules guide and FEOC compliant parts list. IRS — Clean Electricity Investment Credit.
- USDA REAP grants (agricultural / rural small business): Up to 50% of project cost, with low-interest loan guarantees on top. Quarterly application windows. "Before you build" rules — you must apply before construction starts. USDA — REAP Program.
- Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit: Up to 30% of eligible EV charging equipment + installation costs at qualifying locations. Expires for property placed in service after June 30, 2026. IRS — 30C Credit.
Washington state-level incentives
- Property tax exemption: WA Statute §84.36.387 — property tax exemption for solar.
- Sales tax: WA Sales Tax Exemption on residential solar PV through 2029 — RCW 82.08.962. Substantial savings (~10% of system cost).
Net metering & utility programs in Washington
WA retail-rate NEM under RCW 80.60 — one of the most favorable in the country. See also net metering explained.
- Puget Sound Energy (PSE): Retail NEM. www.pse.com
- Seattle City Light: Retail NEM + green programs. www.seattle.gov/city-light
- Tacoma Power: Retail NEM. www.mytpu.org
- Avista: Retail NEM (Eastern WA). www.myavista.com
Washington EV charger and EV-purchase incentives (2026)
- State EV purchase rebate: WA EV / Hydrogen Vehicle Sales Tax Exemption: First $15,000–$20,000 of qualifying EV purchase exempt from state sales tax (verify 2026 thresholds).
- Federal 30C EV Charger Tax Credit: Up to 30% of eligible equipment + installation in qualifying low-income / non-urban census tracts. Expires June 30, 2026 for property placed in service after that date.
- Many Washington utilities and cooperatives offer Level 2 EV charger rebates ($150–$800 typical) often tied to TOU enrollment or smart-charger requirements. Check directly with your specific utility.
Authoritative sources to verify before signing
- WA Department of Commerce — Energy: www.commerce.wa.gov/growing-the-economy/energy
- DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency): programs.dsireusa.org/system/program?state=WA — searchable national database, kept current by NC State.
- Federal IRS guidance: irs.gov — Clean Electricity Investment Credit
What to verify before signing in Washington
- Contractor license: Verify with your state contractor licensing authority before signing.
- NABCEP certification: Most reputable installers carry NABCEP-certified installers on staff. Ask which crew member holds the certification.
- Insurance: General liability + workers comp + roofer's insurance separate from electrical insurance.
- References from your county: Permitting and inspection requirements vary. Ask for 2–3 references from your specific county.
- Get at least three bids: Solar bids vary by 20–35% on the same scope of work. See how to compare solar bids.
Got bids from Washington installers? Compare them properly.
Upload up to four solar proposals from any Washington installer. The analyzer compares $/W, production estimates, equipment, and financing structure — and tells you which one to sign.
Analyze My Bids →Honorable mentions
Additional installers worth getting a quote from — strong Washington-based alternatives and Oregon-based regional installers that serve SW Washington. Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light, Tacoma Power, Snohomish PUD, and Avista (Eastern WA) all run different interconnection processes and incentive programs.
Other Washington-based installers
Sunergy Systems Local
Why listed: Seattle-based residential installer operating since 2006. NABCEP-certified, BBB A+. Strong customer reviews on EnergySage and SolarReviews. Useful comparison-bid alongside A&R Solar or Puget Sound Solar.
Northwest Electric & Solar Local
Why listed: Licensed electrical contractor offering solar + battery + EV charger + panel-upgrade as a single in-house scope. Useful for homeowners combining solar with a service-panel upgrade or EV-charger install.
Whidbey Sun & Wind Local
Why listed: Island and rural Puget Sound residential installer. Specializes in grid-tied solar plus battery and off-grid systems — common needs on the islands where the grid is less robust. NABCEP-certified.
Independent Power Generation Local
Why listed: Eastern-Washington residential and commercial installer with hands-on Avista interconnection experience (Avista's process differs from PSE / Seattle City Light). Covers solar PV, battery storage, generators, EV chargers, and Tesla products — a strong full-service option for homeowners in Spokane, Liberty Lake, and the rest of Avista's territory.
Regional installers serving Washington
Worth a quote if you're in SW Washington (drive-time-equivalent service from Portland) or the Portland-metro side of the Columbia River. Confirm WA contractor licensing before signing.
Green Ridge Solar Regional
Why listed: Portland-metro residential installer with substantial SW Washington (Clark, Cowlitz county) coverage. 25-year workmanship warranty. Tesla Powerwall Certified, BBB A+.
Power Northwest Regional
Why listed: Portland-based residential and commercial installer covering SW Washington. Licensed electrical contractor handling solar, battery, and EV chargers in-house.
Tip: Washington has a retail-rate net-metering law (one of the most favorable in the country) plus the state sales-tax exemption on residential solar through 2029. Cloudy doesn't mean bad solar — Seattle averages 1,000–1,100 kWh/kW/year, which is comparable to upper-Midwest production. Make sure your installer's production estimate uses local PVWatts data (not generic-state averages) given the dramatic west-vs-east WA climate split.
Frequently asked questions about Washington solar
Does solar make sense in Washington?
Yes for most homeowners with a $150+ monthly electric bill, an unshaded roof, and 8+ years of expected ownership. Washington's specific economics are summarized in the table above.
How much does a typical Washington solar install cost in 2026?
$22,000–$28,000 for an 8 kW system before incentives. Effective net cost depends on your state and utility incentives.
Should I get more than three bids?
Yes — three is a minimum. Four or five is better. Solar bids vary by 20–35% on the same scope of work. See how to compare solar bids.
Are there other reputable Washington solar installers besides these?
Many. The list above represents installers with strong public profiles in Washington; reputable installers exist beyond it. Get bids from a mix and compare them objectively rather than relying on any one list.