RESIDENTIAL SOLAR INCENTIVES AND FINANCIAL BENEFITS IN WASHINGTON STATE

WASHINGTON STATE SOLAR INCENTIVES

PAY ZERO SALES TAX

As of July 1, 2019 all solar PV systems under 100 KW are exempt from sales tax. Click to the bill report as passed during the 2019 legislative session.

For more information on the implementation of the sales tax exemption visit the DoR’s 2019 Tax Legislation page and click on the “clean energy” link for details.

GET A 30% FEDERAL SOLAR TAX CREDIT – INFLATION REDUCTION ACT

NET ENERGY METERING – YOUR SOLAR ENERGY BANK

With net metering, your electric utility becomes your energy bank. A bi-directional meter replaces your existing electricity meter to track the production and use of your home’s energy. When your solar energy system produces more power than you’re using, the excess electricity spins this meter backwards, giving you a dollar-for-dollar utility credit for all the excess energy. At night, when the sun isn’t shining, you make withdrawals from the grid and use the credits you stored earlier in the day. In the summer, when days are long and sunny, most customers produce more energy than they need, building up credits with their utility that are used to offset their usage in the wintertime, when days are short and cloudy.

• In Washington, the net-metering cycle runs annually from May 1 to April 30 of the following year. Credits roll over each month, but do not transfer from one year to the next, so it’s “use it or lose it” after April 30 of each year.
• Because net metering is essentially a “kilowatt exchange program,” your solar becomes more valuable the more energy you use.
• As retail rates for electricity rise, your credits for excess unused power will increase accordingly. Net metering thus helps insulate you from increasing utility rates. For example, if your utility’s rate increases from 10 to 15 cents per kWh, your net metering credit will do so as well.

Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit

There is no expiration date for net metering, but it is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis until the cumulative generating capacity of solar PV systems equals 1/2% of the utility’s peak demand. After a utility hits this quota, the utility can choose to continue offering net metering, or it can create a new arrangement for future customers. This is another good reason to get your system installed sooner rather than later! Maximize your investment in solar technology by adding a home battery backup with solar, which may qualify for additional solar incentives. 

UNION DISCOUNT ON RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM

Artisan is a signatory IBEW Local 46 Electrical Contractor dedicated to providing living wages and long-term careers in the energy industry. 

In recognition of the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of the country, we offer a special $500 discount to our union brothers and sisters on any solar pv system. Please let us know at your site evaluation if you or your significant other belong to any unions.

ACCELERATED DEPRECIATION FOR BUSINESS

If you’re a business looking to go solar, the federal government offers an accelerated depreciation program as an additional incentive to make solar more affordable. The Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS) allows a commercial owner of solar to depreciate 85% of the total system cost in the first year.

GRANT FOR SOLAR PANELS

Tacoma Power Utilities Evergreen Options Program. TPU will award grant funds up to $50,000 each to local nonprofits, schools, and government agencies toward the purchase and installation of on-site local renewable energy projects. 

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). This grant is administered by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) and provides rural farmers and small businesses with grants paying up to 25% of solar project and energy efficiency upgrade costs.

FREE SOLAR SITE SURVEY & SOLAR CONSULTATION

So now that you know how easy it is to go solar, let us perform a quick, free solar site survey at your home or business. Now is truly the best time to take advantage of all available solar incentives before they decrease or end in the future.

By combining all of the above, the initial cost of installing a solar PV system on your home or business can be entirely offset. And thanks to local residential solar financing, no initial out-of-pocket cash is required!