Solar power in Olympia, Washington
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) offers its Olympia customers a net metering program.
Olympia residents can also take advantage of the federal solar tax credit. The tax credit is equal to a percentage of the costs of installing a solar system — 26% in 2020, and 22% in 2021 — and is then applied to your federal income taxes. In some cases, you may be able to wipe out your entire tax bill for a year.
The combination of the federal tax credit and the PSE’s net metering program can provide you with a great return on investment when installing a solar system in Washington!
Net Metering Broken Down
PSE will pay its solar customers for any excess electricity their solar systems generate at the full retail rate of electricity. Getting the full retail rate for extra electricity your system generates provides terrific savings on your electric bill.
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in Olympia,
Washington in 2025 is
$2.58 per watt. The average system size
in the US is 6 kilowatts, which means the average price of a solar system
in Olympia, WA
is $12,900.
(after claiming 26% tax credit and other rebates)
The 26% federal solar tax credit explained
If you have a federal income tax liability, 26% of the cost of your solar system can be claimed as a deduction to your taxes. This incentive is claimed when you do your taxes. In order to receive the tax credit quicker it's best to do your taxes as soon as possible after installation.
What if my tax liability is less than 26% of my systems costThere is the option to claim this incentive over several years if your tax liability is less than 26% of the system cost.
How much will solar panels on my home save me?
The answer to this question depends on your electricity usage. Generally speaking the greater your power usage the greater the potential savings from installing solar.
The average monthly usage in Washington is only 960kWh per month however, you are most likely using a lot more than this since this average includes condos and small apartments.
The Olympia solar panel savings calculator below will convert your monthly power spend into power usage (in kWh's) and then work out exactly how many solar panels you need to offset your usage, how much they will cost based on the prices of local solar companies and the amount you will save. Our Washington solar savings calculator can do this because it contains a database of the electric rates charged by PUD No 1 of Lewis County, Puget Sound Energy Inc, Tanner Electric Coop, PUD No 1 of Grays Harbor Cnty
How much can solar panels save you in Olympia
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 14.78kW solar system in Olympia, WA
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $99, however your situation may vary so try our Olympia solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$26,249
Net cost of system
15 Years 8 Months
Average payback time
14,142 kWh
Annual power production
7¢/kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
15¢/kWh
If you don't get solar
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of this 14.78kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$14,801
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
11
Solar companies in Olympia, WA that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Olympia
| System Size |
Cash purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $6,016 | $6,497 |
| 4kw | $7,903 | $8,535 |
| 5kw | $9,694 | $10,470 |
| 6kw | $11,455 | $12,372 |
| 7kw | $13,105 | $14,154 |
| 8kw | $14,741 | $15,920 |
| 9kw | $16,250 | $17,550 |
| 10kw | $17,760 | $19,181 |
Find out what system size you need for your home
Going solar in Washington
Check out all of the ways energy providers of Washington can help you be more energy efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Renewable Energy Sales and Use Tax Exemption | State | Sales Tax Incentive |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives are the solar installers who specialize in your area.
