Though the state of Washington gets 70% of the sun that California receives, there are still long sunny days, and you’ll get more solar energy than you realize during those cloudy days. Washington state is also a leader in solar energy and has some of the best solar incentives in the country. 

If you’re looking for solar installation in Washington, you’ll need to do your research to understand more about the process. It takes time and planning, but once you get going, the entire installation process takes less time than you think.

Keep reading to learn more about the solar installation process in Washington and start saving energy!

Solar Installation in Washington

Solar installation in Washington is a multi-step process that first involves evaluating how much electricity you need before you call a solar installation company. You’ll need to figure out how many kilowatt hours of electricity you use each year. 

You can do this by looking at your electric bills over the past year to check your usage. Your solar system will then be tailored to fit your home and daily usage needs.

Home Assessment

To see how much a solar system will cost, you’ll need to have a solar installation company visit your home. They’ll need to assess things like:

• The amount of roof space you have
• The amount of sun exposure you get
• The amount of electricity you use
• Evaluate your electrical panel
• Make a plan for solar panel locations
• Make a plan for wires and other components

They’ll then be able to give you a proposal of system options with an estimation of power output for each option. You’ll get diagrams that explain the plan for your roof as well as the pricing.

Most solar companies offer solar financing programs, and you’ll also be able to save with available solar incentives.

Solar Incentives in Washington

In Washington, you can sign up for net metering. With net metering, you pay for the net amount of grid energy you use and store excess energy in the grid.

You’ll get what’s called an interconnection to the grid with your electric provider via a two-way meter placed at your home. This meter measures the energy that flows into your home and also how much solar energy from your panels goes into the grid.

When you get a bill, you’ll pay only have to pay for the difference, and if your solar panels produce more energy than you use, you’ll get a credit.

You can also qualify for the federal investment tax credit for solar energy, which allows homeowners and business owners to deduct 26% of the solar system cost on their tax returns.

Installation Process

Once you choose a solar company, the installation of the solar panels usually takes 2 to 3 days. The company will typically apply for any necessary building and electrical permits per the city you live in. They’ll also usually take care of the interconnection process with your electric company.

Once installation is complete, you’ll need an electrical inspection. Most utility companies will install a net meter between 5 to 30 days, and your solar panel system will then produce power that saves you money on your electric bill.

To learn more about reputable solar installation companies in the Spokane, Washington area, you can check out blueravensolar.com to start the process today.

Get Ready for Your Solar Install Today

Now that you know more about solar installation in Washington, you can start making plans to switch to solar energy today.

Make sure to do your research, and don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to get a better idea of the overall process.

To learn more, check out our blog for more tips, trends, and financial advice!