SolarSight

Solar panel cost and savings in Seattle, Washington

Seattle sits at 47.57°N, 122.34°W in Washington, United States. A typical residential solar system there is sized at 7.5 kW, laid out as 17 panels of 440 W each, mounted at a 40 degree tilt facing the sun's midday path.

Typical system
7.5 kW (17 panels)
Annual production
8,792 kWh
Annual savings
$1,018
Payback
20+ years

Based on PVGIS solar radiation data for Seattle's coordinates, that system produces an estimated 8,792 kWh in its first year. At the local electricity price of $0.18 per kWh (export $0.06 per kWh, daily supply charge $0.55), that generation is worth an estimated $1,018 a year to a household with typical usage patterns for a 3-person home.

Get a solar estimate for Seattle

Incentives in Seattle

1 incentive currently applies to a system installed in Seattle:

Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit
$6,395 as a tax credit
National scheme · Eligibility: No eligibility restriction beyond being a residential system. · Last verified 2026-08-02 · Official source

Cost and payback

Before incentives, a typical system in Seattle costs an estimated $16,456 to $26,180 installed. After the incentives above, the estimated net cost is $16,456 to $26,180, and the system does not pay back within the 20-year projection used here at today's local electricity price.

These figures assume a typical 3-person household with no pool, electric vehicle or electric heating, and installation in 2026. Incentive values are provisional estimates, last verified on the date shown against each scheme, and can change. Electricity prices and incentive amounts shown here are set at the country level except where an incentive's value is itself calculated from Seattle's local solar zone, as noted above; only the production and payback figures are calculated specifically for Seattle's coordinates.

Frequently asked questions

How much solar power can a typical home in Seattle generate?

A typical 7.5 kW system (17 panels) in Seattle produces an estimated 8,792 kWh a year, based on PVGIS solar radiation data for its coordinates.

What does solar cost in Seattle after incentives?

Before incentives, a typical system costs $16,456 to $26,180 installed. After the incentives listed on this page, the estimated net cost is $16,456 to $26,180.

How long does solar take to pay back in Seattle?

At local electricity prices, a typical system in Seattle does not pay back within the 20-year projection used here, with estimated annual savings of $1,018.

What solar incentives apply in Seattle?

Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit. Each is detailed above with its estimated value, eligibility and whether it is a national or local scheme.

Nearby locations

All solar pages in Washington · All solar pages in United States