Solar Panel Cost & Payback in Washington
Home solar in Washington pays back in a median 16.8 years across the 133 places we cover, at an average electricity price of 14.4¢/kWh and about $3.00 per watt installed. West Valley has the fastest payback (13.1 years).
Solar estimates for Washington cities and towns
Sorted by fastest payback. Each figure is for a system sized to an average Washington home (955 kWh/month).
| Place | kWh per kW | System | Cost | Payback | 25-yr savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Valley | 1,409 | 8.4 kW | $25,200 | 13.1 yrs | $29,303 |
| Sunnyside | 1,392 | 8.4 kW | $25,200 | 13.2 yrs | $28,645 |
| Grandview | 1,392 | 8.4 kW | $25,200 | 13.2 yrs | $28,645 |
| Yakima | 1,374 | 8.4 kW | $25,200 | 13.4 yrs | $27,949 |
| West Richland | 1,374 | 8.4 kW | $25,200 | 13.4 yrs | $27,949 |
| Moses Lake | 1,366 | 8.4 kW | $25,200 | 13.5 yrs | $27,640 |
| Tri-Cities | 1,357 | 8.8 kW | $26,400 | 13.5 yrs | $28,591 |
| Ellensburg | 1,351 | 8.8 kW | $26,400 | 13.6 yrs | $28,348 |
| Pasco | 1,350 | 8.8 kW | $26,400 | 13.6 yrs | $28,307 |
| Richland | 1,344 | 8.8 kW | $26,400 | 13.6 yrs | $28,064 |
| Kennewick | 1,337 | 8.8 kW | $26,400 | 13.7 yrs | $27,781 |
| Wenatchee | 1,324 | 8.8 kW | $26,400 | 13.8 yrs | $27,254 |
| East Wenatchee | 1,324 | 8.8 kW | $26,400 | 13.8 yrs | $27,254 |
| Pullman | 1,303 | 8.8 kW | $26,400 | 14.0 yrs | $26,403 |
| Cheney | 1,286 | 9.2 kW | $27,600 | 14.2 yrs | $26,883 |
| Spokane | 1,257 | 9.2 kW | $27,600 | 14.5 yrs | $25,654 |
| Walla Walla | 1,254 | 9.2 kW | $27,600 | 14.5 yrs | $25,527 |
| Spokane Valley | 1,249 | 9.2 kW | $27,600 | 14.5 yrs | $25,315 |
| Veradale | 1,236 | 9.6 kW | $28,800 | 14.7 yrs | $25,841 |
| Minnehaha | 1,135 | 10.4 kW | $31,200 | 15.8 yrs | $23,158 |
| Oak Harbor | 1,131 | 10.4 kW | $31,200 | 15.9 yrs | $22,966 |
| Vashon | 1,125 | 10.4 kW | $31,200 | 15.9 yrs | $22,679 |
| Hazel Dell | 1,122 | 10.4 kW | $31,200 | 16.0 yrs | $22,535 |
| Five Corners | 1,122 | 10.4 kW | $31,200 | 16.0 yrs | $22,535 |
| Federal Way | 1,120 | 10.4 kW | $31,200 | 16.0 yrs | $22,439 |
| Orchards | 1,119 | 10.4 kW | $31,200 | 16.0 yrs | $22,391 |
| Walnut Grove | 1,119 | 10.4 kW | $31,200 | 16.0 yrs | $22,391 |
| Burien | 1,116 | 10.4 kW | $31,200 | 16.0 yrs | $22,248 |
| Port Angeles | 1,115 | 10.4 kW | $31,200 | 16.0 yrs | $22,200 |
| Vancouver | 1,111 | 10.4 kW | $31,200 | 16.1 yrs | $22,008 |
| University Place | 1,100 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.2 yrs | $22,307 |
| Artondale | 1,097 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.3 yrs | $22,158 |
| Lakeland South | 1,096 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.3 yrs | $22,109 |
| Port Townsend | 1,095 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.3 yrs | $22,059 |
| SeaTac | 1,090 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.4 yrs | $21,810 |
| Anacortes | 1,089 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.4 yrs | $21,760 |
| Seattle | 1,088 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.4 yrs | $21,711 |
| Salmon Creek | 1,087 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.4 yrs | $21,661 |
| Tacoma | 1,086 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.4 yrs | $21,611 |
| Renton | 1,086 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.4 yrs | $21,611 |
| White Center | 1,086 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.4 yrs | $21,611 |
| Lakeland North | 1,086 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.4 yrs | $21,611 |
| Port Orchard | 1,085 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.4 yrs | $21,561 |
| Bainbridge Island | 1,084 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.4 yrs | $21,512 |
| Des Moines | 1,083 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.4 yrs | $21,462 |
| Camas | 1,082 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.5 yrs | $21,412 |
| Washougal | 1,082 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.5 yrs | $21,412 |
| Bremerton | 1,081 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.5 yrs | $21,363 |
| Silverdale | 1,080 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.5 yrs | $21,313 |
| Ferndale | 1,077 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.5 yrs | $21,164 |
| Kirkland | 1,074 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.6 yrs | $21,014 |
| Shoreline | 1,072 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.6 yrs | $20,915 |
| Kent | 1,071 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.6 yrs | $20,865 |
| Poulsbo | 1,070 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.6 yrs | $20,815 |
| Tukwila | 1,069 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.6 yrs | $20,766 |
| Bryn Mawr-Skyway | 1,069 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.6 yrs | $20,766 |
| Lakewood | 1,068 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.6 yrs | $20,716 |
| Lacey | 1,067 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.7 yrs | $20,666 |
| DuPont | 1,063 | 10.8 kW | $32,400 | 16.7 yrs | $20,467 |
| Shelton | 1,060 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.8 yrs | $21,071 |
| Longview | 1,059 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.8 yrs | $21,019 |
| Battle Ground | 1,059 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.8 yrs | $21,019 |
| Joint Base Lewis McChord | 1,059 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.8 yrs | $21,019 |
| Bellevue | 1,058 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.8 yrs | $20,968 |
| Edmonds | 1,058 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.8 yrs | $20,968 |
| Bellingham | 1,057 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.8 yrs | $20,916 |
| Parkland | 1,055 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.8 yrs | $20,813 |
| Puyallup | 1,053 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.8 yrs | $20,710 |
| Columbia City | 1,053 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.8 yrs | $20,710 |
| Newcastle | 1,053 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.8 yrs | $20,710 |
| Inglewood-Finn Hill | 1,051 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.9 yrs | $20,606 |
| South Hill | 1,050 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.9 yrs | $20,555 |
| Everett | 1,049 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.9 yrs | $20,503 |
| Fife | 1,049 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.9 yrs | $20,503 |
| Mukilteo | 1,048 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.9 yrs | $20,452 |
| Tumwater | 1,048 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.9 yrs | $20,452 |
| Camano | 1,048 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.9 yrs | $20,452 |
| Picnic Point-North Lynnwood | 1,047 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.9 yrs | $20,400 |
| Mercer Island | 1,046 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 16.9 yrs | $20,349 |
| Olympia | 1,045 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.0 yrs | $20,297 |
| Spanaway | 1,045 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.0 yrs | $20,297 |
| Edgewood | 1,045 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.0 yrs | $20,297 |
| Graham | 1,043 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.0 yrs | $20,194 |
| Lynden | 1,039 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.0 yrs | $19,988 |
| Kelso | 1,039 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.0 yrs | $19,988 |
| Bonney Lake | 1,037 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.1 yrs | $19,884 |
| Frederickson | 1,037 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.1 yrs | $19,884 |
| Fairwood | 1,036 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.1 yrs | $19,833 |
| East Hill-Meridian | 1,035 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.1 yrs | $19,781 |
| Centralia | 1,030 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.2 yrs | $19,523 |
| Tulalip | 1,029 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.2 yrs | $19,472 |
| Sammamish | 1,028 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.2 yrs | $19,420 |
| Covington | 1,028 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.2 yrs | $19,420 |
| Lynnwood | 1,025 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.2 yrs | $19,265 |
| Aberdeen | 1,025 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.2 yrs | $19,265 |
| Mill Creek East | 1,024 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.3 yrs | $19,214 |
| Sumner | 1,024 | 11.2 kW | $33,600 | 17.3 yrs | $19,214 |
| Elk Plain | 1,023 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.3 yrs | $19,847 |
| Lea Hill | 1,022 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.3 yrs | $19,793 |
| Mountlake Terrace | 1,021 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.3 yrs | $19,740 |
| Bothell West | 1,021 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.3 yrs | $19,740 |
| Lake Forest Park | 1,021 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.3 yrs | $19,740 |
| East Renton Highlands | 1,019 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.3 yrs | $19,633 |
| Mount Vernon | 1,018 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.3 yrs | $19,580 |
| Prairie Ridge | 1,018 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.3 yrs | $19,580 |
| Kenmore | 1,017 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.4 yrs | $19,526 |
| Redmond | 1,016 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.4 yrs | $19,473 |
| Marysville | 1,015 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.4 yrs | $19,419 |
| Eastmont | 1,015 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.4 yrs | $19,419 |
| Issaquah | 1,013 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.4 yrs | $19,313 |
| Maple Valley | 1,012 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.4 yrs | $19,259 |
| Klahanie | 1,011 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.4 yrs | $19,206 |
| Auburn | 1,010 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.5 yrs | $19,152 |
| North Creek | 1,009 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.5 yrs | $19,099 |
| Woodinville | 1,008 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.5 yrs | $19,045 |
| Lake Stevens | 1,004 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.5 yrs | $18,832 |
| Union Hill-Novelty Hill | 1,004 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.5 yrs | $18,832 |
| Bothell | 1,003 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.6 yrs | $18,778 |
| Snohomish | 1,003 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.6 yrs | $18,778 |
| Snoqualmie | 1,001 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.6 yrs | $18,672 |
| West Lake Sammamish | 1,000 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.6 yrs | $18,618 |
| Lake Morton-Berrydale | 1,000 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.6 yrs | $18,618 |
| City of Sammamish | 997 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.6 yrs | $18,458 |
| Mill Creek | 997 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.6 yrs | $18,458 |
| Martha Lake | 997 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.6 yrs | $18,458 |
| Silver Firs | 993 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.7 yrs | $18,244 |
| Enumclaw | 993 | 11.6 kW | $34,800 | 17.7 yrs | $18,244 |
| Cottage Lake | 986 | 12.0 kW | $36,000 | 17.8 yrs | $18,486 |
| Sedro-Woolley | 985 | 12.0 kW | $36,000 | 17.8 yrs | $18,431 |
| West Lake Stevens | 983 | 12.0 kW | $36,000 | 17.9 yrs | $18,321 |
| Monroe | 967 | 12.0 kW | $36,000 | 18.1 yrs | $17,437 |
| Maltby | 966 | 12.0 kW | $36,000 | 18.1 yrs | $17,381 |
| Arlington | 945 | 12.4 kW | $37,200 | 18.5 yrs | $16,761 |