Best 5 Solar Companies in Edmonds, WA

With Edmonds' clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's a perfect area for families and businesses aiming to harness the extra sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar installers. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $850 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional installation team can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. On this page, we'll show you Edmonds' premier solar contractors and give expert advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has screened dozens of solar installers near Edmonds, with emphasis on the following criteria:

• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should use their years of experience answer your questions on how to look after your system and optimize its performance.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The premier solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Edmonds solar installers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Certifications and credentials: Each installer on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Edmonds community for over 15 years.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy has multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Embracing solar is a surefire way to reduce your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
• Lowered energy bills: You can avoid the premium cost of grid-tied power by creating some electricity at home. Plus, many states offer net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to help pay for your energy bill.
• Better energy independence: Adding a battery backup or storage system lets you have trustworthy energy during grid outages and storms.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Edmonds Homeowners?

Washington homeowners who decide on solar could qualify for reimbursements, tax credits, rebates and special financing. Here are just a few of the local incentive offerings.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Edmonds

The more thorough your company research is, the better your solar panels will ultimately operate. Consider each of these aspects in your contractor search.

Licensing and Training

Solar energy companies in Washington need to hold an electrical contractors' license from the Department of Labor and Industries. In certain situations, the department may also conduct permit inspections to verify compliance and the integrity and viability of a contractor's job. Check for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar industry's most reputed trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Edmonds

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels provide a lower price point but produce less power. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

If you'd like to charge an electric car or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By selecting the right components, you can make your panel array more efficient and user-friendly. Not every solar company includes these add-ons, so look for a company that installs them if it's important for you.

Most Edmonds homeowners opt for solar systems rated for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems cost about $17,950 to install, considering both parts and installation. You can find more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Edmonds

There are various ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will reduce your expenses. A few of the most common options include loans, cash payments, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and leases. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the next best option. As with a car or home loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in particular circumstances. We advise working with a contractor that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each salesperson about what's available, and secure more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your budget.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Edmonds.

You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, utilities and local governments may have their own financing plans and rebates that could reduce your total cost even more.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy