If you own a home in Washington and do not yet have solar power connected to your residence, there has never been a better time to consider installing panels on your property.
As the seat of Government, the state has always been keen on setting the pace on climate protection through renewable energy sources, as demonstrated by setting a statewide RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standard) of 15% in 2006. An RPS law sets a target for using clean energy in a State.
As of early 2006, Washington had already laid down the law that envisioned that 15% of residents should be using renewable energy sources like solar power by 2020.
So, how does the state propose to entice homeowners to rely more on solar energy? Since enacting the RPS in 2006, the state has put forth enviable incentives for homeowners and solar product manufacturers.
Below, we will discuss some of the incentives put in place by the authorities for solar energy users.
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Key Takeaways
- Washington encourages homeowners to install solar panels with various incentives, including solar easement laws that ensure access to sunlight, the right to install panels regardless of residential location, and protection from homeowners’ associations.
- Net metering allows homeowners to stay connected to the grid, receive credits for the excess electricity their panels produce, and use these credits to offset their utility bills.
- The state offers the Renewable Energy System Incentive Program, providing incentives for both property sellers and buyers, and the Federal Solar Tax Credit Program, which can lower the cost of acquiring solar systems by up to 30% for eligible residents.
Solar Rights for Homeowners
Solar panels need access to sunlight to produce electricity. As a homeowner committed to using renewable energy sources like solar power, Washington has excellent solar easement laws.
These laws allow you to talk with your immediate neighbors and develop a way to ensure that your panels are never shaded when there is sunlight.
Additionally, under the Washington Solar Rights Law, you have a right to put solar panels on your property, no matter your borough of residence in the state. Under this law, it is illegal for even homeowners’ associations to prohibit a homeowner from installing solar panels.
Net Metering in Washington
Given that the weather can be dull sometimes, you may be afraid of installing solar panels in Washington for fear of what will happen when it is persistently cloudy for days.
It is, however, important to remember that you do not have to disconnect from the grid just because you have panels on your property. Unless you have backup batteries in your property, it is best to remain connected to the grid even with access to solar energy.
If the solar panels you installed in your Washington home produce more electricity than you can consume, then the net metering system was made for someone like you.
Under this system, you can send back any extra electricity produced by your panels to the Washington grid and, in turn, receive credits.
If your panels do not produce enough electricity and you are forced to rely on grid power, you can use the credits you earned to pay for the electricity you consume instead of paying your utility bill in cash.
The Renewable Energy System Incentive Program
To encourage more homeowners to use solar energy as of February 2020, the state enacted an incentive program that targets both property sellers and buyers. Under this program, you can receive an incentive payment for the electricity produced by solar panels in your home.
As a property seller, the payment incentive offered by the state will cover the period you owned the home from the fiscal year starting 1st July. As a property owner who installs solar panels in your home, you can apply for and receive your incentive payment for eight years or until you have recovered 50% of the amount you spent installing panels in your home (whichever comes first).
It is also worth noting that this program targets Washington residents who have installed residential and commercial solar panels.
Under this program, solar panels producing 1 kW to 12 kW are considered residential solar systems. The incentive for this type of solar system is capped at $5,000 per fiscal year.
On the other hand, solar panels that produce above 12 kW are considered commercial solar installations unless they have been installed as a community project. This incentive for commercial solar systems is capped at $25,000 per fiscal year.
Note that participation in this incentive program is voluntary. You must register your property to earn incentive payments, and your solar system must be inspected and certified.
The Federal Solar Tax Credit Program
As a Washington resident, you may also be eligible for the Federal Solar Tax Credit Program, which can lower the cost of acquiring your solar system by as much as 30%.
It is, however, worth mentioning that to be eligible for this tax credit program, you must have attained a level of income that will make the tax credit you are awarded meaningful.
Further, you must purchase a solar system for the first time, and the acquisition must either be done through a loan or in cash.
Though this program has been in place for several years and the terms have never changed, pundits in the energy sector opine that with the new administration that recently settled in the White House, the terms may be amended to become more favorable.
As you can see, Washington is keen on meeting its goals of using renewable energy like solar power through the incentives offered to homeowners.
Suppose you are keen on protecting the environment, climate, and the planet at large while at the same time saving some money. In that case, you should consider installing solar panels in your home since Washington solar panel laws encourage it.
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Map image by Wikimedia Commons User: TUBS / CC-BY-SA-3.0
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Solar Panels Network USA stands at the forefront of solar energy solutions, driven by a team of seasoned solar engineers and energy consultants. With over decades of experience in delivering high-quality solar installations and maintenance, we are committed to promoting sustainable energy through customer-centric, tailored solutions. Our articles reflect this commitment, crafted collaboratively by experts to provide accurate, up-to-date insights into solar technology, ensuring our readers are well-informed and empowered in their solar energy decisions.