Going solar has many benefits for Washington homeowners, from lower electricity bills to a smaller carbon footprint. But installing home solar is a big decision that comes with a significant upfront investment.
At Cascadia Solar, we want to help you make that decision with confidence. We are a small, local business installing solar panels in Jefferson, Kitsap, Clallam, and Mason Counties. As the solar division of Frederickson Electric, we have been serving local homeowners for over 50 years.
If you’re thinking about installing solar panels for your home on the Olympic or Kitsap Peninsula, this guide is a great place to start. We share important information about the solar installation process, financing options, incentives, and more. If you have additional questions, please reach out! We are always happy to answer specific questions and provide more detailed information.
Evaluating Your House for Solar
Before investing in solar panels, it’s important to determine whether your house is a good fit for solar.
There’s a lot to consider when making this decision, including:
- Solar Viability – Factors like roof size and shading will impact how many solar panels you can install and how much electricity they’ll produce.
- Electricity Usage – The more electricity you use, the more you stand to save with solar panels. It’s important to analyze your usage habits before going solar so you can decide whether the estimated savings are worth it.
- Solar Goals – There are many reasons to go solar, from saving money to reducing your environmental impact. Knowing what you want to achieve with your solar installation will help guide your decision-making process.
We gather all this information as part of your free solar consultation and share it with you so you can make an informed decision. Our project managers will help you weigh the cost, estimated solar output, and estimated savings so you can decide whether the investment is worth it for you.
We will always give you our honest opinion about whether your house is a good fit for solar panels, even if that means we don’t recommend installing them. We’re here to help you make an informed decision and will never pressure you into buying a system.
Solar 101: Understanding the Basics
There’s a lot to learn about solar energy! It can be helpful to understand the basics before you install solar panels for your home. If you want to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out. We love to nerd out about solar power and are happy to provide more technical information or answer specific questions.
How Solar Panels Work
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels work by converting sunlight into electricity. Here’s how:
- Sunlight hits the panel and is absorbed by its PV cells, which creates an electrical charge and generates direct current (DC) electricity.
- A solar inverter converts the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is what most houses are wired for.
- Your electrical panel distributes the AC electricity to your outlets and appliances as needed.
- Any power you don’t immediately need is either exported to the electric grid or stored in a solar battery for later use.
What Happens at Night?
Solar panels can’t produce electricity at night, but you won’t be without power after dark. We install grid-tied solar panel systems so you can use grid power whenever you need it. You can also choose to install a solar battery, which lets you store solar power that’s generated during the day and use it later, like at night.
What Happens When It’s Cloudy?
One of the biggest myths about solar panels is that they don’t work in cloudy weather and, therefore, aren’t a good investment in Washington. Solar panels are most productive when they have direct sunlight access, but they still produce some power when it’s cloudy.
Benefits of Solar Panels in Washington State
Installing solar panels for your home has many benefits, no matter where you live, including:
- Electric bill savings
- Insulation from future electricity rate increases from your utility
- Environmental benefits
- Potential to increase home value
- Backup power (with battery storage)
- Greater energy independence
There are a few things that make solar even more beneficial in Washington specifically. For one thing, installation costs are dropping. Solar installation costs in WA have dropped 37% in the past decade, while solar technology has only improved. Meanwhile, there are excellent residential solar incentives in Washington, including tax benefits and net metering, that make solar an even better investment.
The Solar Installation Process: What to Expect
The solar installation process will vary depending on the solar company you choose. At Cascadia Solar, we make the process as simple for you as possible. We handle every step and prioritize consistent communication throughout so you will always know what’s happening with your installation.
Here’s what to expect when you go solar with Cascadia Solar:
- Free Consultation – We’ll evaluate your energy usage, answer your questions, and help you decide whether solar is right for your home. This is a great time to ask questions about solar in general and talk to us about your specific goals.
- Site Evaluation – After a preliminary assessment, we will schedule a site evaluation. One of our project managers will meet with you in person at your home to discuss your project further and take measurements.
- System Design – We design a custom solar system tailored to your specific needs and home. We always ask for your opinion on everything from aesthetics to equipment because we want to make sure you are happy with every aspect.
- Contract & Deposit – If you decide to move forward with the project, we will draw up a contract for you to review, and you will pay a 50% deposit. We value transparency, and we are happy to answer any questions you have about the contract and system.
- Permitting & Approvals – We take care of all city approvals and permitting so you don’t have to. We design every system according to local building and electrical codes, and keep you updated along the way.
- Installation Day – Our electricians will install your new system. We do all of our own electrical work, and we don’t hire subcontractors. Learn more about our team.
- Final Inspections – We’ll handle the final inspections and grid interconnection.
- Final payment – Once the system passes all required inspections and is turned on, we will send you a bill for the remaining 50% of the project cost.
- System Orientation & Monitoring – We’ll provide a detailed orientation, explain your solar monitoring system, and answer any final questions. But don’t worry—if you need help after your system is installed, we’re only a phone call away!
Paying for Solar: Costs, Financing & Incentives
Solar Installation Costs
For most homeowners, cost is the most important factor to consider before installing solar. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all estimate. The cost of a solar panel installation can vary significantly depending on factors like the size of your home, the amount of electricity you consume, and the type of equipment you want to install.
To get an accurate estimate, give us a call! We’re always happy to crunch the numbers for you and will provide a free, personalized estimate based on your specific home.
Solar Financing Options
There are a few ways to pay for your solar installation. The most popular are:
- Cash Payment – A cash payment requires the largest upfront investment. But, you won’t have to worry about interest or fees, which means you’ll get the best return on your investment.
- Solar Loan – Many homeowners choose to finance their solar installation with a loan, which is also a great option. We recommend the Puget Sound Cooperative Union for local, non-predatory Energy Smart Loans.
Solar Incentives in Washington
There are excellent incentives available for residential solar installation in Washington that can reduce your installation costs.
- Solar Tax Credit – Solar panels and battery systems are eligible for a 30% federal income tax credit.
- Sales Tax Exemption – Solar panels are exempt from sales tax in Washington. Solar batteries that charge from solar panels are also exempt.
- Net Metering – Net metering allows you to sell excess solar power to the electric grid in exchange for utility credit. In Washington, solar customers are credited at the full retail rate for the electricity they send to the grid, which can significantly increase your solar savings.
At the end of the day, going solar is a highly personal decision. Cascadia Solar is here to help you make the best decision for your specific home and clean energy goals. Whether you’re just curious about solar or you’re ready to start your installation today, we would love to hear from you.
