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Washington / Seattle
Written by the Solar Learning Lab research deskUpdated August 21, 202617 min read
Seattle offers a valuable retail-credit rule and an unusually useful small-system permit path. It also wipes out unused net-metering credits on April 30, while winter output is materially lower than summer output. Oversizing is the wrong response. Read the governing local record.
Use the calculator after comparing a proposal with the city and utility records carried on this page.
Open the local estimateThis guide is deliberately not a generic state page with a city label. Each entry below addresses a document, payment rule, permit condition or practical decision point that is specific to this market.
Seattle retail-rate kWh credits can be meaningful, but credits remaining on April 30 are forfeited to the department without compensation. That makes the reset a sizing control. The homeowner should see a monthly bank forecast and ask whether the first year ends with a likely forfeiture. An annual production percentage without that calendar is incomplete.
A qualifying under-7.7-kW PV system can use Seattle’s online electrical permit route without plan review and print a permit the same day. That does not make every system a same-day project. Larger systems, unusual equipment and building conditions may take another path. A professional schedule identifies the category first, then states the expected sequence.
Seattle Tip 420 describes when a single-family rooftop system may avoid a building permit, using conditions about engineered attachment, roof type, panel clearance and structural loading. Read that as a scope test. A different roof, ground-mounted work, multifamily building or a design outside the conditions can change the permit work. “No building permit” is not a transferable sales slogan.
Seattle City Light’s flat residential energy charge is 13.38 cents per kWh effective April 1, 2026, with an optional time-of-day alternative and fixed daily charge. In a relatively low-cost electricity market, an inflated national rate can make a solar proposal look stronger than the local bill supports. Use the customer’s actual tariff, then test exports and fixed charges separately.
The Seattle PVGIS profile is highly seasonal. The model’s winter months are not a small adjustment to the summer peak. They are a different operating period. A good proposal puts the winter curve next to household demand and avoids using a sunny summer production image to imply that a roof will deliver a uniform year-round bill result.
Washington materials discuss a clean-energy sales-and-use-tax refund for qualifying larger systems. That is not the same thing as a standard home-array rebate. A buyer should ask for the size threshold and program language before any tax value is placed in a residential quote. A broad “Washington solar tax break” claim is too vague to use in a payment calculation.
City Light identifies community-solar options, which matter where a Seattle resident rents, shares a roof, owns a condominium unit or has an unsuitable layout. That does not make rooftop solar wrong. It keeps the page from forcing every clean-energy decision into an equipment purchase. Roof control is a real eligibility condition, even when the electric account is in the homeowner’s name.
Washington law offers protection for solar energy panels while preserving certain placement and screening considerations. The practical move is simple: compare the governing documents with the engineering layout before installation. That is cheaper than winning an argument after contractors have booked work. A clear written response and the correct roof drawing are better than an assumption about what a board will allow.
Seattle’s electrical-permit fast lane has a strict purpose. It covers systems under 7.7 kW that can be applied for online without plan review. It should not be advertised as a universal speed claim for every roof, battery or system size. The exact permit category belongs in the project file before dates are promised.
Tip 420 gives a homeowner a real building-permit advantage when the rooftop system meets its engineered mounting, roof type, clearance and loading conditions. The document also makes the limits plain. Ground-mounted work, commercial or multifamily work, and projects outside the listed conditions can follow a different route.
Seattle City Light provides retail-rate kWh credits for eligible systems, but the annual April 30 forfeiture prevents those credits from becoming an indefinite asset. A proper sizing model needs to show whether a balance is likely to remain at the reset, not just whether the array produces an attractive annual total.
The city utility’s flat rate and optional time-of-day rate create different ways to value avoided consumption. A page cannot tell a household which one it should take. It can insist that the sales model state which schedule it assumed, what it does with the fixed charge and whether it predicts exports during high-production months.
Seattle’s residential rooftop tax context is narrower than a broad clean-energy exemption claim. The state material describes a refund program for larger systems, not the usual home array. A quote should not create a homeowner credit by applying a commercial-scale rule to a residential project.
City Light’s community-solar option is relevant when the roof is shared, shaded or not under the customer’s control. That option does not make a rooftop system better or worse. It simply gives the household another way to pursue participation without forcing equipment onto an unsuitable building.
Washington HOA law gives panels important protection, while allowing specific placement and screening conditions. The practical move is to review the governing documents with the proposed roof layout before installation. That reduces the chance that a valid project becomes a last-minute association argument.
Seattle’s wet, mild climate makes a monthly production view more honest than an annual average alone. The production estimate, roof shade and winter electricity use should be examined together. A realistic proposal can still make sense. It just should not hide the seasonal spread behind a single percentage.
Seattle’s permit shortcut is best understood as a scope test. It rewards a small, code-conforming installation with an appropriate roof and electrical design. It is not a blanket assurance that every array can be printed and installed in a day. The moment the project changes category, the homeowner needs a revised schedule rather than the original fast-lane promise.
The April 30 credit deadline should appear in the homeowner’s own calendar, not only in a municipal-code footnote. A surplus that is helpful in February may still be useful before the annual reset, but a surplus that survives to the deadline is relinquished without payment. Ask the installer how the projected first-year bank changes by month, not just whether the system reaches an annual offset percentage.
Seattle’s low winter production does not call for a gloomy sales pitch. It calls for an honest one. Summer output can be strong, while the darkest months look very different. Household electricity use often has its own seasonal pattern. Put both curves on the table before choosing system size, and do not use a July panel photo as a substitute for a December forecast.
City Light’s retail kWh credit is valuable precisely when it offsets consumption. It should not be described as a cash purchase of every export. That distinction becomes critical in a market with annual forfeiture. The best proposal will state the export mechanic plainly, show the expected balance through the year and avoid assuming that a large summer surplus has the same value as an avoided retail purchase.
Seattle’s carbon-neutral utility history changes the environmental story without cancelling the ownership story. A homeowner may value local generation, resilience planning, long-term bill management or participation in a broader energy transition. None requires pretending that the grid has the emissions profile of a fossil-heavy system. Honest climate claims are part of good technical advice.
A building permit exemption does not answer whether the roof is ready for penetrations or whether a future reroof has been budgeted. Ask for the roofing assessment, flashing approach, equipment placement and removal responsibility. The electrical permit is one piece of compliance. The roof warranty and water management are a separate conversation with separate consequences.
Community solar is worth comparing when roof ownership or shading makes rooftop equipment a poor fit. That is especially relevant in a city with many renters, condo owners and shared buildings. A homeowner should not be pressured to force an array onto a compromised roof simply because the sales model needs an installation. A better alternative can still advance the household’s goal.
A Seattle solar purchase should end with a system small enough to understand. You should know the permit category, expected seasonal output, interconnection status, billing credit rule and April reset risk. If any of those are missing, the quote has not earned its price yet.
The model below is fixed south-facing, not a guarantee for an individual roof. Compare its monthly pattern with your own bill history, shade, orientation, roof condition and any proposed tariff. Annual output alone cannot tell a homeowner when the electricity is useful.
The highlighted bar is the modeled high month. Treat the lower months as part of the design decision, not as a footnote to an annual headline.
PVGIS v5.2 methodology. PVGIS v5.2 model run by Solar Learning Lab on August 21, 2026, NSRDB radiation database. Fixed south facing mount, 30 degree tilt, 14 percent losses, downtown Seattle coordinates. Your roof will differ.
| Energy source | Type | Average price | What that means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local tariff | Electricity | Schedule specific billing basis | Use the cited local rate material and your own bill. |
| Calculator input | Electricity | 13.38¢ per kWh | A starting input, not an individual tariff finding. |
| City PVGIS model | Solar | Roof specific not a quote | Production changes with site conditions, equipment and the selected billing arrangement. |
Published rate material; published export material; cost-data input.
These notes preserve the underlying city research instead of asking readers to accept a summary on faith. Where the public record does not establish a current number or timeline, this guide treats it as n.a.
AHJ / issuing office: Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) issues solar permits; electrical inspections are performed by SDCI's electrical inspectors (SDCI Tip 420, Solar Energy Systems; SDCI Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)).
When no building permit is needed (a real advantage in Seattle): per SDCI Tip 420, a building permit is not required for rooftop PV on a single-family home when all of the following apply: the mounting system is engineered and installed to manufacturer specifications, panels are installed on a lightweight roof (not tile or slate), panels are no more than 18 inches above the roof surface, added dead load is 5 pounds per square foot or less and no more than 50 pounds per framing section, roof penetrations are weatherproofed, and the installation complies with land use and fire code requirements. A building permit is required for ground-mounted systems, commercial/multifamily installs, installs that don't meet those criteria, or alterations valued over $6,000 excluding solar equipment (SDCI Tip 420).
Always required: an electrical permit for any PV system; a plumbing permit through Seattle/King County Public Health for solar hot water; and a Seattle City Light Interconnection Application and Agreement. Energy storage requires an ESS questionnaire, and batteries over 40 kWh require Seattle Fire Department review (a typical home battery is 9 to 14 kWh) (SDCI Tip 420).
Over-the-counter versus plan review: systems 12 kW or less may use the Over The Counter (OTC) permit path, while systems larger than 12 kW require full plan review (SDCI Tip 420). For electrical permits specifically, PV systems rated under 7.7 kW can be applied for online without plan review and the permit is printable the same day (SDCI Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)).
Portal: the Seattle Services Portal, selecting "Permit to Trade, Construction, and Land Use" (SDCI Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)).
Fees: electrical permit fees "vary depending on the type of work" plus a technology fee; no dollar amount for a residential PV electrical permit is published on the page, n.a. (SDCI Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)).
Licensing: the installing contractor must hold a Washington State electrical contractor license and a Seattle business license; owner-occupants of single-family homes may do their own electrical work (SDCI Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)). Applicable code: Seattle Electrical Code Article 80, Sections 80.50 and 80.51 (same page/electrical-permit)).
Instant / SolarAPP+ status: neither SDCI Tip 420 nor the electrical permit page references SolarAPP+ or automated instant permitting; the functional equivalent in Seattle is same-day online electrical permits for systems under 7.7 kW with no plan review (SDCI Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)). SolarAPP+ adoption status: n.a. (solarapp.org excluded from fetching).
Review timeline: same-day issuance for qualifying online electrical permits; a published business-day service level for plan-reviewed solar projects is n.a. (SDCI Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)).
Utility: Seattle City Light, a municipal utility owned by the City of Seattle.
Residential rates (Seattle city limits): flat rate, base service charge $0.3945 per day plus energy at $0.1338/kWh. Time-of-day option, peak $0.1610/kWh, mid-peak $0.1409/kWh, off-peak $0.0805/kWh, with peak hours 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. City Light also states the 4% Rate Stabilization Account surcharge was removed effective April 1, 2026 (Seattle City Light residential rates).
Export compensation, net metering: systems up to 100 kW AC are eligible; the customer receives kWh credits at their own retail rate, applied automatically to the bill, and City Light notes it no longer installs production meters on residential systems (Seattle City Light, Solar Power).
Credit expiration (important local nuance): under SMC 21.49, net metering follows RCW ch. 80.60 and is first-come, first-served up to a cumulative capacity cap of 20 MW (1.0% of the utility's 1996 peak demand), in effect since January 1, 2014. Any unused kWh credits are granted to the Department without any compensation to the customer on April 30 each year. Net metering is unavailable on underground distribution network systems unless safety concerns are addressed (Seattle Municipal Code 21.49).
State framework: RCW 80.60.030 requires credits to appear on the following billing period's bill and sets the statewide default that unused credits expire annually on March 31 (Seattle's code uses April 30), and provides for meter aggregation (RCW 80.60.030).
Interconnection: a Seattle City Light Interconnection Application and Agreement is required before operating (SDCI Tip 420).
City Light residential solar rebate: none published on City Light's solar page, n.a. The page instead points customers to the federal 25D 30% residential credit, noting projects must be installed by December 31, 2025 following the enactment of H.R.1 on July 1, 2025 (Seattle City Light, Solar Power).
Community solar as an alternative: City Light runs a Community Solar Program, and Washington State University administers a $100 million Community Solar Expansion Program for low-income and low-income-serving subscribers (Seattle City Light, Solar Power).
Washington sales/use tax exemption does not reach typical rooftop residential: the state's refund-based clean energy exemption (E2SSB 5116, ch. 288, Laws of 2019) covers solar systems greater than 100 kW up to 500 kW (100% refund), non-solar renewables of at least 1 kW, and solar over 500 kW (partial), and expires January 1, 2030, so a typical residential rooftop array is not eligible (Washington DOR, Clean energy / renewable energy equipment).
Local rate context that functions as the real incentive: Seattle's residential energy rate of $0.1338/kWh flat (peak $0.1610) is what avoided-consumption savings are valued at, since net metering credits are at the customer's retail rate (Seattle City Light residential rates; Seattle City Light, Solar Power).
This expanded annotation retains each research point in short document threads. It is useful when comparing a proposal against the cited record line by line.
Seattle document checkpoint 1: AHJ / issuing office:. Seattle document checkpoint 1: Seattle Department of Construction. Seattle document checkpoint 1: and Inspections (SDCI) issues. Seattle document checkpoint 1: solar permits; electrical inspections. Seattle document checkpoint 1: are performed by SDCI's. Seattle document checkpoint 1: electrical inspectors (SDCI Tip. Seattle document checkpoint 1: 420, Solar Energy Systems;. Seattle document checkpoint 1: SDCI Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 1: AHJ / issuing office:. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 1: Seattle Department of Construction. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 1: and Inspections (SDCI) issues. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 1: solar permits; electrical inspections. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 1: are performed by SDCI's. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 1: electrical inspectors (SDCI Tip. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 1: 420, Solar Energy Systems;. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 1: SDCI Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 2: When no building permit. Seattle document checkpoint 2: is needed (a real. Seattle document checkpoint 2: advantage in Seattle): per. Seattle document checkpoint 2: SDCI Tip 420, a. Seattle document checkpoint 2: building permit is not. Seattle document checkpoint 2: required for rooftop PV. Seattle document checkpoint 2: on a single-family home. Seattle document checkpoint 2: when all of the. Seattle document checkpoint 2: following apply: the mounting. Seattle document checkpoint 2: system is engineered and. Seattle document checkpoint 2: installed to manufacturer specifications,. Seattle document checkpoint 2: panels are installed on. Seattle document checkpoint 2: a lightweight roof (not. Seattle document checkpoint 2: tile or slate), panels. Seattle document checkpoint 2: are no more than. Seattle document checkpoint 2: 18 inches above the. Seattle document checkpoint 2: roof surface, added dead. Seattle document checkpoint 2: load is 5 pounds. Seattle document checkpoint 2: per square foot or. Seattle document checkpoint 2: less and no more. Seattle document checkpoint 2: than 50 pounds per. Seattle document checkpoint 2: framing section, roof penetrations. Seattle document checkpoint 2: are weatherproofed, and the. Seattle document checkpoint 2: installation complies with land. Seattle document checkpoint 2: use and fire code. Seattle document checkpoint 2: requirements. A building permit. Seattle document checkpoint 2: is required for ground-mounted. Seattle document checkpoint 2: systems, commercial/multifamily installs, installs. Seattle document checkpoint 2: that don't meet those. Seattle document checkpoint 2: criteria, or alterations valued. Seattle document checkpoint 2: over $6,000 excluding solar. Seattle document checkpoint 2: equipment (SDCI Tip 420).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: When no building permit. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: is needed (a real. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: advantage in Seattle): per. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: SDCI Tip 420, a. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: building permit is not. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: required for rooftop PV. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: on a single-family home. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: when all of the. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: following apply: the mounting. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: system is engineered and. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: installed to manufacturer specifications,. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: panels are installed on. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: a lightweight roof (not. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: tile or slate), panels. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: are no more than. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: 18 inches above the. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: roof surface, added dead. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: load is 5 pounds. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: per square foot or. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: less and no more. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: than 50 pounds per. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: framing section, roof penetrations. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: are weatherproofed, and the. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: installation complies with land. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: use and fire code. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: requirements. A building permit. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: is required for ground-mounted. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: systems, commercial/multifamily installs, installs. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: that don't meet those. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: criteria, or alterations valued. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: over $6,000 excluding solar. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 2: equipment (SDCI Tip 420).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 3: Always required: an electrical. Seattle document checkpoint 3: permit for any PV. Seattle document checkpoint 3: system; a plumbing permit. Seattle document checkpoint 3: through Seattle/King County Public. Seattle document checkpoint 3: Health for solar hot. Seattle document checkpoint 3: water; and a Seattle. Seattle document checkpoint 3: City Light Interconnection Application. Seattle document checkpoint 3: and Agreement. Energy storage. Seattle document checkpoint 3: requires an ESS questionnaire,. Seattle document checkpoint 3: and batteries over 40. Seattle document checkpoint 3: kWh require Seattle Fire. Seattle document checkpoint 3: Department review (a typical. Seattle document checkpoint 3: home battery is 9 to 14. Seattle document checkpoint 3: kWh) (SDCI Tip 420).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: Always required: an electrical. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: permit for any PV. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: system; a plumbing permit. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: through Seattle/King County Public. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: Health for solar hot. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: water; and a Seattle. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: City Light Interconnection Application. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: and Agreement. Energy storage. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: requires an ESS questionnaire,. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: and batteries over 40. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: kWh require Seattle Fire. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: Department review (a typical. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: home battery is 9 to 14. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 3: kWh) (SDCI Tip 420).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 4: Over-the-counter versus plan review:. Seattle document checkpoint 4: systems 12 kW or. Seattle document checkpoint 4: less may use the. Seattle document checkpoint 4: Over The Counter (OTC). Seattle document checkpoint 4: permit path, while systems. Seattle document checkpoint 4: larger than 12 kW. Seattle document checkpoint 4: require full plan review. Seattle document checkpoint 4: (SDCI Tip 420). For. Seattle document checkpoint 4: electrical permits specifically, PV. Seattle document checkpoint 4: systems rated under 7.7. Seattle document checkpoint 4: kW can be applied. Seattle document checkpoint 4: for online without plan. Seattle document checkpoint 4: review and the permit. Seattle document checkpoint 4: is printable the same. Seattle document checkpoint 4: day (SDCI Electrical Permit. Seattle document checkpoint 4: page/electrical-permit)).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: Over-the-counter versus plan review:. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: systems 12 kW or. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: less may use the. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: Over The Counter (OTC). Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: permit path, while systems. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: larger than 12 kW. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: require full plan review. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: (SDCI Tip 420). For. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: electrical permits specifically, PV. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: systems rated under 7.7. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: kW can be applied. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: for online without plan. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: review and the permit. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: is printable the same. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: day (SDCI Electrical Permit. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 4: page/electrical-permit)).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 5: Portal: the Seattle Services. Seattle document checkpoint 5: Portal, selecting "Permit to . Seattle document checkpoint 5: Trade, Construction, and Land. Seattle document checkpoint 5: Use" (SDCI Electrical Permit. Seattle document checkpoint 5: page/electrical-permit)).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 5: Portal: the Seattle Services. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 5: Portal, selecting "Permit to . Seattle homeowner evidence thread 5: Trade, Construction, and Land. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 5: Use" (SDCI Electrical Permit. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 5: page/electrical-permit)).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 6: Fees: electrical permit fees. Seattle document checkpoint 6: "vary depending on the. Seattle document checkpoint 6: type of work" plus. Seattle document checkpoint 6: a technology fee; no. Seattle document checkpoint 6: dollar amount for a. Seattle document checkpoint 6: residential PV electrical permit. Seattle document checkpoint 6: is published on the. Seattle document checkpoint 6: page, n.a. (SDCI. Seattle document checkpoint 6: Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 6: Fees: electrical permit fees. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 6: "vary depending on the. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 6: type of work" plus. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 6: a technology fee; no. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 6: dollar amount for a. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 6: residential PV electrical permit. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 6: is published on the. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 6: page, n.a. (SDCI. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 6: Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 7: Licensing: the installing contractor. Seattle document checkpoint 7: must hold a Washington. Seattle document checkpoint 7: State electrical contractor license. Seattle document checkpoint 7: and a Seattle business. Seattle document checkpoint 7: license; owner-occupants of single-family. Seattle document checkpoint 7: homes may do their. Seattle document checkpoint 7: own electrical work (SDCI. Seattle document checkpoint 7: Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)). Applicable. Seattle document checkpoint 7: code: Seattle Electrical Code. Seattle document checkpoint 7: Article 80, Sections 80.50. Seattle document checkpoint 7: and 80.51 (same page/electrical-permit)).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 7: Licensing: the installing contractor. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 7: must hold a Washington. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 7: State electrical contractor license. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 7: and a Seattle business. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 7: license; owner-occupants of single-family. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 7: homes may do their. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 7: own electrical work (SDCI. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 7: Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)). Applicable. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 7: code: Seattle Electrical Code. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 7: Article 80, Sections 80.50. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 7: and 80.51 (same page/electrical-permit)).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 8: Instant / SolarAPP+ status:. Seattle document checkpoint 8: neither SDCI Tip 420. Seattle document checkpoint 8: nor the electrical permit. Seattle document checkpoint 8: page references SolarAPP+ or. Seattle document checkpoint 8: automated instant permitting; the. Seattle document checkpoint 8: functional equivalent in Seattle. Seattle document checkpoint 8: is same-day online electrical. Seattle document checkpoint 8: permits for systems under. Seattle document checkpoint 8: 7.7 kW with no. Seattle document checkpoint 8: plan review (SDCI Electrical. Seattle document checkpoint 8: Permit page/electrical-permit)). SolarAPP+ adoption. Seattle document checkpoint 8: status: n.a. (solarapp.org excluded. Seattle document checkpoint 8: from fetching).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: Instant / SolarAPP+ status:. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: neither SDCI Tip 420. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: nor the electrical permit. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: page references SolarAPP+ or. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: automated instant permitting; the. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: functional equivalent in Seattle. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: is same-day online electrical. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: permits for systems under. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: 7.7 kW with no. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: plan review (SDCI Electrical. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: Permit page/electrical-permit)). SolarAPP+ adoption. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: status: n.a. (solarapp.org excluded. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 8: from fetching).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 9: Review timeline: same-day issuance. Seattle document checkpoint 9: for qualifying online electrical. Seattle document checkpoint 9: permits; a published business-day. Seattle document checkpoint 9: service level for plan-reviewed. Seattle document checkpoint 9: solar projects is n.a.. Seattle document checkpoint 9: (SDCI Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 9: Review timeline: same-day issuance. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 9: for qualifying online electrical. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 9: permits; a published business-day. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 9: service level for plan-reviewed. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 9: solar projects is n.a.. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 9: (SDCI Electrical Permit page/electrical-permit)).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 10: Utility: Seattle City Light,. Seattle document checkpoint 10: a municipal utility owned. Seattle document checkpoint 10: by the City of. Seattle document checkpoint 10: Seattle.. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 10: Utility: Seattle City Light,. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 10: a municipal utility owned. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 10: by the City of. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 10: Seattle.. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 11: Residential rates (Seattle city. Seattle document checkpoint 11: limits): flat rate, . Seattle document checkpoint 11: base service charge $0.3945. Seattle document checkpoint 11: per day plus energy. Seattle document checkpoint 11: at $0.1338/kWh. Time-of-day option. Seattle document checkpoint 11:, peak $0.1610/kWh, mid-peak. Seattle document checkpoint 11: $0.1409/kWh, off-peak $0.0805/kWh, with. Seattle document checkpoint 11: peak hours 5 to 9 p.m.. Seattle document checkpoint 11: Monday through Saturday. City. Seattle document checkpoint 11: Light also states the. Seattle document checkpoint 11: 4% Rate Stabilization Account. Seattle document checkpoint 11: surcharge was removed effective. Seattle document checkpoint 11: April 1, 2026 (Seattle. Seattle document checkpoint 11: City Light residential rates).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: Residential rates (Seattle city. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: limits): flat rate, . Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: base service charge $0.3945. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: per day plus energy. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: at $0.1338/kWh. Time-of-day option. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11:, peak $0.1610/kWh, mid-peak. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: $0.1409/kWh, off-peak $0.0805/kWh, with. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: peak hours 5 to 9 p.m.. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: Monday through Saturday. City. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: Light also states the. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: 4% Rate Stabilization Account. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: surcharge was removed effective. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: April 1, 2026 (Seattle. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 11: City Light residential rates).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 12: Export compensation, net. Seattle document checkpoint 12: metering: systems up to. Seattle document checkpoint 12: 100 kW AC are. Seattle document checkpoint 12: eligible; the customer receives. Seattle document checkpoint 12: kWh credits at their. Seattle document checkpoint 12: own retail rate, applied. Seattle document checkpoint 12: automatically to the bill,. Seattle document checkpoint 12: and City Light notes. Seattle document checkpoint 12: it no longer installs. Seattle document checkpoint 12: production meters on residential. Seattle document checkpoint 12: systems (Seattle City Light,. Seattle document checkpoint 12: Solar Power).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 12: Export compensation, net. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 12: metering: systems up to. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 12: 100 kW AC are. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 12: eligible; the customer receives. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 12: kWh credits at their. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 12: own retail rate, applied. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 12: automatically to the bill,. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 12: and City Light notes. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 12: it no longer installs. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 12: production meters on residential. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 12: systems (Seattle City Light,. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 12: Solar Power).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 13: Credit expiration (important local. Seattle document checkpoint 13: nuance): under SMC 21.49,. Seattle document checkpoint 13: net metering follows RCW. Seattle document checkpoint 13: ch. 80.60 and is. Seattle document checkpoint 13: first-come, first-served up to. Seattle document checkpoint 13: a cumulative capacity cap. Seattle document checkpoint 13: of 20 MW (1.0%. Seattle document checkpoint 13: of the utility's 1996. Seattle document checkpoint 13: peak demand), in effect. Seattle document checkpoint 13: since January 1, 2014.. Seattle document checkpoint 13: Any unused kWh credits. Seattle document checkpoint 13: are granted to the. Seattle document checkpoint 13: Department without any compensation. Seattle document checkpoint 13: to the customer on. Seattle document checkpoint 13: April 30 each year.. Seattle document checkpoint 13: Net metering is unavailable. Seattle document checkpoint 13: on underground distribution network. Seattle document checkpoint 13: systems unless safety concerns. Seattle document checkpoint 13: are addressed (Seattle Municipal. Seattle document checkpoint 13: Code 21.49).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: Credit expiration (important local. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: nuance): under SMC 21.49,. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: net metering follows RCW. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: ch. 80.60 and is. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: first-come, first-served up to. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: a cumulative capacity cap. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: of 20 MW (1.0%. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: of the utility's 1996. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: peak demand), in effect. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: since January 1, 2014.. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: Any unused kWh credits. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: are granted to the. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: Department without any compensation. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: to the customer on. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: April 30 each year.. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: Net metering is unavailable. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: on underground distribution network. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: systems unless safety concerns. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: are addressed (Seattle Municipal. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 13: Code 21.49).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 14: State framework: RCW 80.60.030. Seattle document checkpoint 14: requires credits to appear. Seattle document checkpoint 14: on the following billing. Seattle document checkpoint 14: period's bill and sets. Seattle document checkpoint 14: the statewide default that. Seattle document checkpoint 14: unused credits expire annually. Seattle document checkpoint 14: on March 31 (Seattle's. Seattle document checkpoint 14: code uses April 30),. Seattle document checkpoint 14: and provides for meter. Seattle document checkpoint 14: aggregation (RCW 80.60.030).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 14: State framework: RCW 80.60.030. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 14: requires credits to appear. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 14: on the following billing. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 14: period's bill and sets. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 14: the statewide default that. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 14: unused credits expire annually. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 14: on March 31 (Seattle's. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 14: code uses April 30),. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 14: and provides for meter. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 14: aggregation (RCW 80.60.030).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 15: Interconnection: a Seattle City. Seattle document checkpoint 15: Light Interconnection Application and. Seattle document checkpoint 15: Agreement is required before. Seattle document checkpoint 15: operating (SDCI Tip 420).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 15: Interconnection: a Seattle City. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 15: Light Interconnection Application and. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 15: Agreement is required before. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 15: operating (SDCI Tip 420).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 16: City Light residential solar. Seattle document checkpoint 16: rebate: none published on. Seattle document checkpoint 16: City Light's solar page. Seattle document checkpoint 16:, n.a. The page. Seattle document checkpoint 16: instead points customers to. Seattle document checkpoint 16: the federal 25D 30%. Seattle document checkpoint 16: residential credit, noting projects. Seattle document checkpoint 16: must be installed by. Seattle document checkpoint 16: December 31, 2025 following. Seattle document checkpoint 16: the enactment of H.R.1. Seattle document checkpoint 16: on July 1, 2025. Seattle document checkpoint 16: (Seattle City Light, Solar. Seattle document checkpoint 16: Power).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16: City Light residential solar. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16: rebate: none published on. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16: City Light's solar page. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16:, n.a. The page. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16: instead points customers to. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16: the federal 25D 30%. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16: residential credit, noting projects. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16: must be installed by. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16: December 31, 2025 following. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16: the enactment of H.R.1. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16: on July 1, 2025. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16: (Seattle City Light, Solar. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 16: Power).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 17: Community solar as an. Seattle document checkpoint 17: alternative: City Light runs. Seattle document checkpoint 17: a Community Solar Program,. Seattle document checkpoint 17: and Washington State University. Seattle document checkpoint 17: administers a $100 million. Seattle document checkpoint 17: Community Solar Expansion Program. Seattle document checkpoint 17: for low-income and low-income-serving. Seattle document checkpoint 17: subscribers (Seattle City Light,. Seattle document checkpoint 17: Solar Power).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 17: Community solar as an. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 17: alternative: City Light runs. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 17: a Community Solar Program,. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 17: and Washington State University. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 17: administers a $100 million. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 17: Community Solar Expansion Program. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 17: for low-income and low-income-serving. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 17: subscribers (Seattle City Light,. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 17: Solar Power).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 18: Washington sales/use tax exemption. Seattle document checkpoint 18: does not reach typical. Seattle document checkpoint 18: rooftop residential: the state's. Seattle document checkpoint 18: refund-based clean energy exemption. Seattle document checkpoint 18: (E2SSB 5116, ch. 288,. Seattle document checkpoint 18: Laws of 2019) covers. Seattle document checkpoint 18: solar systems greater than. Seattle document checkpoint 18: 100 kW up to. Seattle document checkpoint 18: 500 kW (100% refund),. Seattle document checkpoint 18: non-solar renewables of at. Seattle document checkpoint 18: least 1 kW, and. Seattle document checkpoint 18: solar over 500 kW. Seattle document checkpoint 18: (partial), and expires January. Seattle document checkpoint 18: 1, 2030, so. Seattle document checkpoint 18: a typical residential rooftop. Seattle document checkpoint 18: array is not eligible. Seattle document checkpoint 18: (Washington DOR, Clean energy. Seattle document checkpoint 18: / renewable energy equipment).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: Washington sales/use tax exemption. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: does not reach typical. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: rooftop residential: the state's. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: refund-based clean energy exemption. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: (E2SSB 5116, ch. 288,. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: Laws of 2019) covers. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: solar systems greater than. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: 100 kW up to. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: 500 kW (100% refund),. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: non-solar renewables of at. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: least 1 kW, and. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: solar over 500 kW. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: (partial), and expires January. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: 1, 2030, so. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: a typical residential rooftop. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: array is not eligible. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: (Washington DOR, Clean energy. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 18: / renewable energy equipment).. Cited record.
Seattle document checkpoint 19: Local rate context that. Seattle document checkpoint 19: functions as the real. Seattle document checkpoint 19: incentive: Seattle's residential energy. Seattle document checkpoint 19: rate of $0.1338/kWh flat. Seattle document checkpoint 19: (peak $0.1610) is what. Seattle document checkpoint 19: avoided-consumption savings are valued. Seattle document checkpoint 19: at, since net metering. Seattle document checkpoint 19: credits are at the. Seattle document checkpoint 19: customer's retail rate (Seattle. Seattle document checkpoint 19: City Light residential rates;. Seattle document checkpoint 19: Seattle City Light, Solar. Seattle document checkpoint 19: Power).. Cited record.
Seattle homeowner evidence thread 19: Local rate context that. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 19: functions as the real. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 19: incentive: Seattle's residential energy. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 19: rate of $0.1338/kWh flat. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 19: (peak $0.1610) is what. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 19: avoided-consumption savings are valued. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 19: at, since net metering. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 19: credits are at the. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 19: customer's retail rate (Seattle. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 19: City Light residential rates;. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 19: Seattle City Light, Solar. Seattle homeowner evidence thread 19: Power).. Cited record.
This is a calling list. It does not validate a roof design, a price, a loan, an interconnection submission or after-sale work.
Ratings snapshot: Google Maps, August 2026, via the DataForSEO SERP feed. Zero companies paid us and none are endorsed by us.
Kenmore
4.9(321 Google reviews)
Seattle
4.9(249 Google reviews)
Seattle
4.9(43 Google reviews)
Seattle
4.8(146 Google reviews)
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4.8(133 Google reviews)
Seattle
4.8(91 Google reviews)
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4.8(72 Google reviews)
Seattle
4.3(592 Google reviews)
Ratings and review counts are Google Maps ratings for Seattle local results, retrieved August 17, 2026 via the DataForSEO SERP API. We list the highest rated established companies we found. No company paid to appear here, and appearing here is not an endorsement. Check current reviews and licensing before you sign anything.
Adjust the calculator to your bill and proposal. It cannot inspect a roof or replace the authority having jurisdiction. Its best use is exposing when a savings number depends on an assumption that the cited city or utility documents do not support.
The top of the slider is the fixed south-facing PVGIS run for Seattle. Roof direction, shade, snow and equipment choices can lower the result.
Cash quotes in Seattle cluster near $2.65 per watt, against a $3.50 national 2024 median (LBNL). Use your quote.
Use the rate on your actual lease or PPA quote. There is no published statewide average we trust enough to hardcode.
$23,320 after state credit
City-level estimate. The calculator uses Seattle City Light’s published flat energy charge, while your chosen tariff and fixed charge can differ.
$305/mo 15 yr payment
Loan pricing is modeled from the state EnergySage input. A real loan quote can include dealer fees and different terms.
$0 down you buy the power
A lease or PPA provider may claim the federal 48E business credit. Compare the contract rate with the local export rules, not with a national average.
Estimates, not quotes. Production comes from our city PVGIS run, costs from EnergySage state data, and the rate input from EIA state data. We are a solar installer and we also partner with other solar companies. See our disclosures.
We are a solar installer and we also partner with other solar companies. An estimate cannot replace a roof inspection, a utility decision or a written contractor scope. Read disclosures.
What does your monthly electric bill look like?
Washington average is $167 per month (EIA, 2024).