Solar Panel ROI in Washington

· Source: NREL PVWatts

Is solar worth it in WA? Here's what the data says.

1.1x ROI Score
21.9 yrs Payback Period
$676/yr Annual Savings
$16,900 25-Year Savings

Your savings estimate

$ /mo bill
Annual savings $676
·
Payback 21.9 yrs
·
25-yr savings $16,900

25-Year ROI Timeline

With a 21.9-year payback, your system spends 3.1000000000000014 years in profit after breaking even.

Payback (21.9 yrs)
Profit (3.1000000000000014 yrs)
Year 0 Year 6 Year 13 Year 19 Year 25
System Cost $14,800
25-Year Savings $16,900
Net Profit $2,100

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Solar Calculator for Washington

Adjust the values below to see your personalized solar ROI estimate.

kW
$
$ /kWh
3.84 kWh/m²/day
Based on NREL data for Washington
ROI Score 1.1x
Annual Production 6,256 kWh
Annual Savings $676
Payback Period 21.9 years
25-Year Savings $16,900
System Cost $14,800

Washington vs National Average

Solar Irradiance: Washington vs National Average Washington: 3.84 kWh/m²/day National Avg: 5.12 kWh/m²/day
Solar Irradiance 3.84 kWh/m²/day
-25% vs national avg
Payback Period 21.9 years Slower than avg
Electricity Rate $0.108 /kWh Below avg

How We Calculated This

Our solar ROI calculations use data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) PVWatts API, which models solar energy production based on location-specific solar irradiance, weather patterns, and panel tilt angles. We assume a standard 6kW residential system with south-facing panels at optimal tilt.

Electricity rates are sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Annual savings are calculated by multiplying estimated production by the local electricity rate. The ROI score represents total 25-year savings divided by system cost.

These estimates do not include the federal 30% ITC tax credit, state incentives, SRECs, or utility rebates, which can significantly reduce the effective payback period.

Solar ROI by Zip Code in Washington

Explore solar data for specific zip codes in Washington. Click any zip code for a full local breakdown.

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Solar Outlook for Washington

Washington receives 3.84 kWh/m²/day — 22.6% below the national average. Lower electricity rates of $0.108/kWh extend the payback to 21.9 years, though the federal 30% ITC and state incentives can meaningfully improve the economics.

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