Best 5 Solar Companies in Kirkland, WA

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Kirkland

The more informed your provider search is, the better your solar system will ultimately work. Consider all of these elements in your business search.

Licensing and Training

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

Cost of Solar Panels in Kirkland

Your photovoltaic panels' style will affect how much power you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

If you'd like to charge an electric car or use your solar power in inclement weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By choosing the right components, you can make your panel array more productive and user-friendly. Not all solar companies offer these add-ons, so look for a provider that sells them if it's a priority for you.

A majority of Kirkland homeowners choose solar systems designed for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems run about $17,950 to install, considering both materials and labor. You can see more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Kirkland

There are a plethora of ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include leases, cash payments, loans, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). We advise paying with cash or using a solar loan for the best return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also own your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to cut your total costs. Solar loans are another good option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll spend more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) permits you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the panels and are disqualified from using solar incentives. We suggest working with a provider that offers multiple financing options. Speak with each agent about what's available, and get 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 Kirkland.

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment purchased through 2032. Further incentives may be available through city and state governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.