Solar payback in Washington (2026)
In Washington, a typical 8 kW home-solar system costing about $24,000 ($3/W, no federal credit in 2026) has an estimated simple payback of 15.8 years and roughly $18,808 in net savings over 25 years. This assumes an average rate of 14.40¢/kWh and ~1,090 kWh produced per kW each year.
Source: EIA & NREL. Data as of March–June 2026.
Cheap hydro-based electricity and the cloudiest skies of any state in this list make Washington one of the slowest-payback states; a sales-tax exemption is the main sweetener.
Washington solar payback at a glance
| Metric | Value (WA) |
|---|---|
| Average residential rate | 14.40 ¢/kWh |
| Peak sun hours (daily avg) | 3.8 h |
| Production factor | 1,090 kWh/kW/yr |
| 8 kW system annual output | 8,720 kWh |
| Est. up-front cost (8 kW @ $3/W) | $24,000 |
| Year-1 bill savings | $1,256 |
| Estimated simple payback | 15.8 years |
| Estimated 25-year net savings | $18,808 |
Source: EIA Electric Power Monthly (Mar 2026) & NREL PVWatts. Data as of June 2026.
Run your own numbers for Washington
The calculator below is pre-filled with Washington's electricity rate and production factor. Change the system size, cost per watt or escalation to match your own quote.
Figures are planning estimates that ignore financing, inverter replacement and maintenance. They assume cash purchase, 3%/yr rate escalation and 0.5%/yr panel degradation. See the methodology and disclaimer.
How Washington compares
Browse all states to compare payback, or read the guides: Is solar worth it in 2026 without the federal credit? and solar payback period explained.
Frequently asked questions
What is the solar payback period in Washington?
For a typical 8 kW system costing about $24,000 ($3/W) with no federal tax credit in 2026, the estimated simple payback in Washington is roughly 15.8 years, based on an average residential rate of 14.40¢/kWh and a production factor of about 1,090 kWh per kW per year. Your actual payback depends on your quote, usage and net-metering rules.
Is solar worth it in Washington now that the federal tax credit has expired?
The 30% federal residential credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025, which raises the up-front cost of 2026 installs by about 30%. Cheap hydro-based electricity and the cloudiest skies of any state in this list make Washington one of the slowest-payback states; a sales-tax exemption is the main sweetener.
How much electricity does an 8 kW system produce in Washington?
About 8,720 kWh in year one (8 kW × 1,090 kWh/kW), declining slowly as panels degrade ~0.5% per year.
Other states
Last updated: 2026-06-14