How much do solar panels cost in Washington?
By Our research team · Last verified · Methodology
Most 8 kW solar installs in Washington cost $21,050–$33,150 for an 8 kW home system with standard panels, installed. $25,700 is the typical price, and there is no federal tax credit to take off it in 2026.
How we get this data- Typical
- $25,700
- Low end
- $17,800
- High end
- $41,300
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Washington's price band
Washington is pricier than 99% of the 195 US metros we price for solar panel work.
Expect $21,050–$33,150 for 8 kW of panels, $25,600–$40,250 for 10 kW, and $12,500–$20,150 more for a Tesla Powerwall 3. Every price here is before incentives, and the federal homeowner credit is gone for 2026 installs.
Many DC homes are row houses with flat roofs, and panels in historic districts can need design review before a permit. Pepco handles the hookup.
Every price here is before incentives, and there is no federal one left for systems you own: the 30% credit ended for expenditures after December 31, 2025, and the IRS treats the expense as made when the install is complete.
Comparing cities, or after the US-wide picture? See the national guide: Solar panel cost in the USA.
$21,050–$33,150 installed in Washington for an 8 kW home solar system with standard panels, typically $25,700 with no federal tax credit in 2026. That is about $3,200 per kW. Verified November 2026. Get free Washington quotes →
- 8 kW system, installed: $21,050–$33,150 ($25,700 typical, about $3,200 per kW)
- 6 kW: $16,600–$26,050; 10 kW: $25,600–$40,250; premium panels add 10–25%
- Battery added with solar: $9,800–$20,150 for 10–13.5 kWh
- No federal tax credit for systems you own installed after December 31, 2025
- About 31 kWh a day from 8 kW at local sun levels; payback near 13 years at full-rate credits
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 42+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Installed prices before any state or utility incentive, and with no federal credit. Washington metro, re-verified November 2026. Battery and inverter hardware is priced nationally, so those lines move less from city to city.
| Service | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 kW solar system, standard panelsinstalled | $21,050installed | $25,700 | $33,150 |
| 6 kW solar system, standard panelsinstalled | $16,600installed | $20,200 | $26,050 |
| 6 kW solar system, premium panelsinstalled | $18,250installed | $23,250 | $32,600 |
| 8 kW solar system, premium panelsinstalled | $23,200installed | $29,550 | $41,500 |
| 10 kW solar system, standard panelsinstalled | $25,600installed | $31,200 | $40,250 |
| 10 kW solar system, premium panelsinstalled | $28,150installed | $35,900 | $50,350 |
| 12–13 kW solar system for a large homeinstalled | $30,450installed | $38,450 | $51,100 |
| Price per kW, standard panelsper kW | $2,650per kW | $3,200 | $4,150 |
| 5 kWh battery added with solarinstalled | $6,000installed | $7,600 | $9,250 |
| 10–13 kWh battery added with solarinstalled | $9,800installed | $14,150 | $18,500 |
| Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh), installedinstalled | $12,500installed | $16,050 | $20,150 |
| Hybrid inverter upgrade (battery-ready)installed | $2,700installed | $3,800 | $6,000 |
| String inverter replacementinstalled | $1,650installed | $2,500 | $3,800 |
| Microinverter replacement, one unit (out of warranty)per unit | $340per unit | $500 | $840 |
| Solar panel cleaning (15–25 panels)per visit | $170per visit | $340 | $570 |
| System health check / inspectionper visit | $170per visit | $290 | $400 |
| Remove and reinstall panels for a re-roof (about 20 panels)per job | $4,000per job | $5,750 | $9,200 |
| Critter guard around the array (8–10 kW)installed | $800installed | $1,400 | $1,950 |
| Main panel upgrade for solar (to 200 amps)installed | $1,700installed | $2,800 | $5,050 |
| Monitoring subscription, where chargedper year | $0per year | $120 | $240 |
| Ground mount instead of roof mount (8 kW)extra | $4,600extra | $7,450 | $11,450 |
| Clay or concrete tile roofextra | $1,150extra | $2,000 | $2,850 |
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Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 42+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Prices cover the Washington metro and assume a pitched shingle roof in good shape. Older roofs in Northeast & Southeast DC more often need repair first.
Solar panel prices across Washington
The panels cost the same across Washington; the roofs do not. Flat and older roofs in Downtown, Shaw & U Street push labor up, and big simple roofs in Northern Virginia keep it down.
Downtown, Shaw & U Street
- 8 kW installed
- $22,300–$35,800 installed
- Typical job
- $17,600–$43,450 / 6–10 kW system
Dense blocks with row houses, shared walls and small roofs. Expect fewer panels than the roof size suggests, a crane or extra crew on some jobs, and parking folded into the labor line.
Northeast & Southeast DC
- 8 kW installed
- $21,050–$33,150 installed
- Typical job
- $16,600–$40,250 / 6–10 kW system
Standard pricing for the metro: pitched shingle roofs, average panels and short drives for most installers.
Prince George's County
- 8 kW installed
- $21,700–$34,500 installed
- Typical job
- $17,100–$41,850 / 6–10 kW system
Mixed older housing and lots of mature trees. A shade report and a roof check up front stop surprises later.
Northern Virginia
- 8 kW installed
- $20,650–$33,150 installed
- Typical job
- $16,250–$40,250 / 6–10 kW system
Bigger, newer homes with large, simple roofs. Installs go fast, and many homeowners here size up to 10 kW or add a battery.
Real solar jobs in Washington
Here's what common solar panel jobs cost in Washington in 2026, installed, before incentives.
Smaller home: 6 kW, standard panels
About 24 kWh on an average day at District of Columbia's sun levels. Smaller systems cost more per kW, about $3,350 here against $3,200 for 8 kW.
Typical home: 8 kW, standard panels
About 31 kWh a day and 11,400 kWh a year. $25,700 is the typical Washington price for a pitched shingle roof in good shape.
Solar plus a Powerwall 3
An 8 kW system with a 13.5 kWh battery for outages and evening use. Doing both in one job shares the crew, the permit and the utility paperwork.
Big home or EV owner: 10 kW, premium panels
Premium panels make more power per square foot, which helps on small or shaded roofs. Standard panels at 10 kW are $25,600–$40,250.
Re-roof with solar already on it
Taking about 20 panels off and putting them back after the roofers leave, on top of the roof itself. If your roof has less than 10 years left, replace it before solar goes on.
How much do solar panels cost in Washington?
An 8 kW system costs $21,050–$33,150 to install in Washington; $25,700 is the middle of the market. The low end is standard panels on an easy roof from a local installer. The high end adds premium panels, a hard roof or a big national brand's sales costs.
Bigger systems cost less per kW. In Washington, 6 kW is about $3,350 per kW, 8 kW about $3,200 and 10 kW about $3,100. Figures re-verified against 42 sources in November 2026.
Solar prices in Washington (2026): the lines on a quote
An 8 kW system is $21,050–$33,150 installed, a battery adds $9,800–$20,150, and a panel upgrade adds $1,700–$5,050 if your panel is full.
| Line on the quote | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 kW system, standard panels | $21,050 | $25,700 | $33,150 |
| 8 kW system, premium panels | $23,200 | $29,550 | $41,500 |
| Tesla Powerwall 3, added at install | $12,500 | $16,050 | $20,150 |
| Main panel upgrade (to 200 amps) | $1,700 | $2,800 | $5,050 |
| Tile roof, extra | $1,150 | $2,000 | $2,850 |
| Ground mount, extra | $4,600 | $7,450 | $11,450 |
| Critter guard | $800 | $1,400 | $1,950 |
| String inverter replacement (later) | $1,650 | $2,500 | $3,800 |
Standard vs premium panels in Washington: the gap on 8 kW is about $3,850. Premium panels pay off on small or shaded roofs where you need more power per square foot; on a big sunny roof, standard panels are the better buy.
What moves a solar quote in Washington:
- System size — bigger systems cost less per kW: about $3,350 at 6 kW against $3,100 at 10 kW.
- Panel and inverter brand — premium panels run 10–25% more; microinverters cost more than one string inverter but last longer.
- The roof — tile adds $1,150–$2,850, a ground mount $4,600–$11,450, and a worn roof should be replaced first.
- The electrical panel — a full or 100-amp panel can add $1,700–$5,050 for an upgrade.
- Who sells it — sales and marketing are about 15% of a typical price; local installers often quote less than national brands.
Ask every Washington installer for the same five things: system size in kW, panel and inverter models, the price per kW, the warranty terms, and what roof, panel and permit work is included. Compare those lines, not the total. Get a quote for your solar install →
Solar Panel Cost in Washington by System Size
A 6 kW system is $16,600–$26,050, 8 kW is $21,050–$33,150, and 10 kW is $25,600–$40,250, installed with standard panels, before any state or utility incentive.
Worked example: a Washington home using about 950 kWh a month gets an 8 kW system at $25,700. If the panel is 100 amps, add an upgrade at $2,800 for $28,500. Add a Powerwall 3 in the same job and the total is about $43,750.
A larger home with central AC or an EV may need 10–12 kW: $31,200 for 10 kW, or $38,450 for 12–13 kW at typical prices. Premium panels on 10 kW run $28,150–$50,350.
Washington Solar Panel Costs by System Size
| System size | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4 kW system — about 16 kWh a day | $12,300–$19,350 installed | Small home or condo; low bills or a small roof |
| 6 kW system — about 24 kWh a day | $16,600–$26,050 installed | Smaller home or modest power use |
| 8 kW system — about 31 kWh a day | $21,050–$33,150 installed | Typical home; about 950 kWh a month of use |
| 10 kW system — about 39 kWh a day | $25,600–$40,250 installed | Larger home, central AC or one EV |
| 12 kW system — about 47 kWh a day | $30,450–$47,950 installed | Big home, pool or electric heat |
| 15 kW system — about 59 kWh a day | $36,750–$57,850 installed | Very large all-electric home or two EVs |
| 8 kW solar + 13.5 kWh battery | $32,950–$52,300 installed | Backup in outages and evening use where exports earn little |
| 13.5 kWh battery only (no solar) | $12,500–$20,150 installed | Backup without panels; shaded roofs |
Hardware vs everything else: where a Washington solar quote goes
Panels, inverter, racking and wiring are only about 41% of a typical US solar price. On a $25,700 Washington job that is roughly $10,550. Sales and marketing take about 15%, design, paperwork and overhead about 20%, installer profit about 16%, and the install labor itself only about 6%.
That is why the payback math matters more than the panel brand. An 8 kW system here makes about 11,400 kWh a year. At District of Columbia's 2024 average of 16.9 cents a kWh across all customers (EIA; home rates usually run higher), that power is worth about $1,950 a year, a simple payback near 13 years. That assumes your utility credits exports at the full rate; lower export credits stretch it, and higher home rates shorten it.
What's included in a Washington solar quote (and what costs extra)
A standard quote covers the panels, inverter, racking, wiring, the install crew, permits, inspection and the utility hookup paperwork. The headline price often leaves out:
- Roof work — repairs, or $1,150–$2,850 extra for a tile roof
- Panel upgrade — $1,700–$5,050 if your electrical panel is full or 100 amps
- Critter guard — $800–$1,950 to keep birds and squirrels out from under the panels
- A battery — $9,800–$20,150 for 10–13.5 kWh of storage, if you want backup
Get the warranty terms in writing: panel and inverter years, the workmanship warranty, and who fixes roof leaks around the mounts.
What's local
Many DC homes are row houses with flat roofs, and panels in historic districts can need design review before a permit. Pepco handles the hookup.
System size
An 8 kW system is $21,050–$33,150. A 6 kW system is $16,600–$26,050 and 10 kW $25,600–$40,250; the price per kW drops as the system grows.
Panels and inverters
Premium panels add 10–25% ($23,200–$41,500 for 8 kW). Microinverters cost more upfront than one string inverter but usually carry 20–25 year warranties; a string inverter often needs replacing once ($1,650–$3,800).
Your roof
Clay or concrete tile adds $1,150–$2,850, a ground mount $4,600–$11,450. If the roof has less than about 10 years left, re-roof first: removing and reinstalling panels later costs $4,000–$9,200.
Your electrical panel
A full or 100-amp panel is a common surprise. Upgrading to 200 amps adds $1,700–$5,050 in Washington, and it is cheapest done with the solar job.
Adding a battery
A 10–13 kWh battery adds $9,800–$18,500, a Tesla Powerwall 3 $12,500–$20,150. Batteries make the most sense where outages are common or exports earn little.
Permits and the utility in Washington
Permits and inspections are about 3% of a typical price, and the utility must approve the hookup before you can switch on. Ask who files the paperwork; a good installer does all of it.
- Get three quotes.Same panels, different sales costs. Washington quotes for 8 kW run $21,050–$33,150; a second and third bid is the fastest way to find the padding.
- Compare the price per kW.Divide each quote by its size in kW. About $2,650–$3,200 per kW is a good Washington price for standard panels; much above $4,150 needs a reason.
- Size it to your bills, not your roof.Use 12 months of bills. A system that makes more than you use only pays off if your utility credits exports well.
- Fix the roof first.Re-roofing under existing panels means paying $4,000–$9,200 to take them off and put them back.
- Bundle the panel and battery work.A panel upgrade ($1,700–$5,050) or a battery done in the same job shares the permit, the inspection and the utility visit.
- Check state and utility help.Ask your utility about rebates and how it credits exports before you sign.
Before you pay a deposit to a Washington solar installer, get these in writing:
- System size in kW and the expected output in kWh a year
- Panel and inverter brand and model
- Price per kW and the total before incentives
- Roof work, tile or ground-mount extras, priced as their own lines
- Any panel upgrade, priced as its own line
- Permit, inspection and utility interconnection, and who files them
- Warranties: panels, inverter, workmanship and roof leaks
- Payment schedule, and what happens if the utility hookup is delayed
How much do solar panels cost in Washington?
$21,050–$33,150 installed for an 8 kW system, and $25,700 is typical. A 6 kW system is $16,600–$26,050 and 10 kW is $25,600–$40,250, before incentives.
What is the price per kW for solar in Washington?
About $3,200 per kW for an 8 kW system with standard panels, within $2,650–$4,150. Smaller systems cost more per kW and larger ones less.
Is there still a federal solar tax credit in Washington?
Not for systems you buy. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for expenditures made after December 31, 2025, and the IRS treats the expense as made when installation is complete. Lease and PPA companies may still claim a business credit and pass some of it on in their price.
How much does solar with a battery cost in Washington?
About $32,950–$52,300 for 8 kW of panels plus a Tesla Powerwall 3. A 10–13 kWh battery from another brand adds $9,800–$18,500 to the solar price.
How long does solar take to pay off in Washington?
Roughly 13 years for a typical 8 kW system at District of Columbia's 2024 average power price from EIA (16.9 cents a kWh across all customers), with every kWh worth the full price. That assumes your utility credits exports at the full rate; lower export credits stretch it, and higher home rates shorten it.
How much power will an 8 kW system make in Washington?
About 31 kWh on an average day, or 11,400 kWh a year, based on about 4.9 peak sun hours a day for District of Columbia in NREL data.
Do I need a new electrical panel for solar in Washington?
Not always. Many 200-amp panels take solar as they are. A full or 100-amp panel may need an upgrade, about $1,700–$5,050 here.
What does solar panel cleaning and upkeep cost in Washington?
Cleaning is $170–$570 a visit and a health check $170–$400. Many roofs never need cleaning; rain does most of it. Budget $1,650–$3,800 for one string inverter replacement over the life of the system.
How much does it cost to remove solar panels for a new roof in Washington?
$4,000–$9,200 to take about 20 panels off and put them back, on top of the roof itself.
What permits does solar need in Washington?
A building or electrical permit, an inspection, and the utility's approval to connect. Your installer should file all of it; permits and inspections are about 3% of a typical price.
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 42+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Prices for the Washington metro area, November 2026. Outer suburbs may vary.
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