The cost of solar panels in Tacoma, WA (2024)

Updated Mar 15, 2024

  • You'll pay an average of $14,387 to install a 5 kilowatt solar panel system in Tacoma, WA, before incentives.

  • The federal investment tax credit (ITC) lowers that price by 30% of all your solar equipment and installation costs.

  • With EnergySage's competitive marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than if you work with a single company.

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Written by: Emily Walker

As of March 2024, the average solar panel system costs $2.88/W including installation in Tacoma, WA. For a 5 kW installation, this comes out to about $14,387 before incentives, though prices range from $12,229 to $16,545. After the federal tax credit, the average price drops by 30%.

Average price of a 5 kW solar panel installation in Tacoma, WA

Good Price
$12,229 or less
Market Average
$14,387
High Price
$16,545 or more

You'll probably pay even less than what we show here. It doesn't include the federal ITC or Tacoma, WA state incentives, which will lower this price by at least a few thousand dollars.

Your solar panel cost depends on your system's size

It may seem obvious but larger solar panel systems cost more money. We use cost per watt ($/W) so you can easily compare quotes, controlling for slight variations in system size.

While a 5 kW system will only cost you $14,387 in Tacoma, WA, doubling the system size effectively doubles the price, so you'll pay about twice that for a 10 kW system. The higher the price tag, though, the more you'll get back as a credit towards your federal tax bill.

Average solar cost by system size in Tacoma, WA

System Size
System Cost
System Cost (after ITC)
3 kW$8,632$6,042
4 kW$11,509$8,057
5 kW$14,387$10,071
6 kW$17,264$12,085
7 kW$20,142$14,099
8 kW$23,019$16,113
9 kW$25,896$18,127
10 kW$28,774$20,142

Are solar panels worth it in Tacoma, WA?

Solar panels are worth it in most areas, including Tacoma, WA. Certain factors, including the cost of electricity, incentives, climate, and the angle at which the sun hits your roof impact how quickly you break even on your investment relative to other areas around the U.S. 

If you pay for your system with cash, you'll save about $4,311 over 20 years on electricity costs with a 5 kW system in Tacoma, WA. We generate this estimate based on real solar quote data from our Marketplace. It considers your system's cost, the federal tax credit, and inflation rates.

Payback Period
16.84 Years
20-Year Savings
$4,311
Cost-per-Watt
$2.88

If you can't shell out $14,387 in cash to pay for solar, don't sweat it. You can choose to finance your system with a loan instead. Some companies even offer $0-down loans so you can start saving on day one if your loan payments are less than your current electric bills. Just keep in mind that your long-term savings will be lower with a loan due to interest rates.

Find out what solar panels cost in your area in 2024
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The numbers we're showing are averages. The price you'll pay for solar depends on many factors unique to you and your home:

If you're looking for solar companies in WA, here are some popular suggestions:

  • Blossom Solar
    Everett, WA
    Established 2017
    Elite Installer
    As the Gold Medal Winner of the Seattle Times - Best In The PNW for Solar Energy Provider, our mission is to prov...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    39 Reviews

    As the Gold Medal Winner of the Seattle Times - Best In The PNW for Solar Energy Provider, our mission is to prov...
  • Smart Solar Energy
    Multi-state
    Established 1995
    Elite Installer
    Smart Solar Energy is a family-owned solar contractor that specializes in residential solar installations. With m...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    82 Reviews

    Smart Solar Energy is a family-owned solar contractor that specializes in residential solar installations. With m...
  • Solora Solar LLC
    Issaquah, WA
    Established 2011
    Advanced Installer
    Earn 30% federal tax credit based on the total cost of your residential solar power system!

    100% sales tax exempti...
    Advanced Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    40 Reviews

    Earn 30% federal tax credit based on the total cost of your residential solar power system!

    100% sales tax exempti...
  • Universal Electric and Solar PNW
    Port Orchard, WA
    Established 2017
    Approved Installer
    Universal Electric and Solar PNW is a highly experienced solar installation and home electrification company prov...
    Approved Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    14 Reviews

    Universal Electric and Solar PNW is a highly experienced solar installation and home electrification company prov...
  • SolTerra Solar
    Seattle, WA
    Established 2008
    Approved Installer
    With thousands of installations already completed in the Pacific NW, going Solar has never been easier. Help the ...
    Approved Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    14 Reviews

    With thousands of installations already completed in the Pacific NW, going Solar has never been easier. Help the ...

Solar is a major purchase, but you can get the price tag to come down a bit by being an educated shopper. Taking advantage of incentives and rebates and shopping around for quotes can bring down your cost of solar in Tacoma, WA.

Take advantage of federal and local solar incentives

As long as your federal tax bill is high enough, you can take advantage of the federal tax credit in Tacoma, WA. This incentive allows you to apply 30% of your solar installation and equipment costs toward your federal tax bill. If the amount exceeds your tax bill, you can roll over the remaining credit to the following year. Many states also offer great local incentives and rebates.

Get quotes from multiple installers

Comparing multiple solar quotes can save you money through competition and transparency. Each additional quote you receive for solar will help you find the right solar panel system at the right price.

This is where EnergySage can help. With funding from the Department of Energy’s SunShot Prize, EnergySage opened the country’s first (and now the largest) marketplace for home solar panel installations. We gather custom solar quotes from local installers on your behalf and put them in an easy-to-compare format. When you compare quotes for solar panels on the EnergySage Marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than if you work with a single solar company.

Why shop with EnergySage?

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