The Electrical Grid and Home Solar Power in the Greater Seattle Region

The electrical grid is the network of power stations, substations, transmission lines, and distribution lines that deliver electricity to homes and businesses. The greater Seattle region is part of the Northwest Power Pool (NWPP), which covers 14 states and two Canadian provinces. The NWPP is interconnected with other regional grids in the Western Interconnection, which spans from Canada to Mexico.

The NWPP has a diverse mix of energy sources, including hydropower, natural gas, coal, nuclear, wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal. Hydropower is the dominant source of electricity in the NWPP, accounting for about 60% of the total generation. Natural gas is the second-largest source, followed by coal and wind¹.

The greater Seattle region is served by several electric utilities, including Seattle City Light (SCL), Puget Sound Energy (PSE), Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD), and Tacoma Power. SCL is the largest public utility in Washington and the 10th largest in the U.S., serving more than 460,000 customers in Seattle and surrounding areas. SCL generates more than 90% of its electricity from renewable sources, mainly hydropower².

Home solar power is the use of solar panels to generate electricity from sunlight for your home. Solar panels are typically installed on your roof or backyard and connected to an inverter that converts the direct current (DC) output into alternating current (AC) that can be used by your appliances or fed back to the grid.

Home solar power has many benefits for homeowners in the greater Seattle region, such as:

• Generating clean, renewable energy for your home
• Reducing the amount of electricity you use and buy from your utility, lowering your electricity bills
• Taking advantage of federal and state financial incentives that may be available
• Increasing the value of your home
• Locking in the price per kW you will pay in the future, even if the electrical provider raises rates

But how much does home solar power cost in the greater Seattle region? And when is the optimal time to install solar panels for your home?

According to EnergySage, a leading online marketplace for solar quotes and information, the average cost of installing a 5 kW solar system in Seattle ranges from $13,345 to $18,055 before incentives as of July 2023. The average cost per watt is $3.14³. However, these costs can vary depending on several factors, such as:

• Your household’s energy needs
• Your available unshaded roof space
• The quality and efficiency of your solar panels
• The type and size of your solar system
• The choice of your solar installer
• The local permitting fees

To get a more accurate estimate of your home solar cost, you can use online tools like Solar-Estimate.org or request free quotes from multiple solar installers on EnergySage.

The optimal time to install solar panels for your home depends on several factors as well, such as:

• The seasonality of sunlight in your area
• The availability and expiration of incentives
• The demand and supply of solar equipment and labor
• Your personal preferences and goals

Generally speaking, spring and summer are the best seasons to install solar panels in the greater Seattle region because they have longer days and more sunlight hours than fall and winter. However, this also means that there may be higher demand and longer wait times for solar installation during these seasons.

One of the factors that you should consider before installing solar panels for your home is the availability and expiration of incentives. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) is a major legislation that provides a 30% tax credit for qualifying investments in solar and other renewable energy projects. If you install solar energy equipment in your residence any time this year through the end of 2032, you are entitled to a nonrefundable credit off your federal income taxes, equal to 30 percent of eligible expenses. The IRA also removes requirements for energy storage projects to receive the same 30% tax credit, even if they are stand-alone facilities. This means that you can save more money and enhance your solar system with batteries. However, this incentive will start to phase out after 2032. Therefore, if you want to take advantage of the full 30% credit, you should install your solar system as soon as possible.

Additionally, you should also check if there are any state or local incentives for home solar power in your area. For example, Washington State offers a sales tax exemption for residential solar systems until June 30th, 2029⁵. You can find more information about available incentives on DSIRE or EnergySage.

Finally, you should also consider your personal preferences and goals when deciding when to install solar panels for your home. For example, if you want to reduce your carbon footprint as soon as possible or lock in a low electricity rate for years to come, you may want to install your solar system sooner rather than later. On the other hand, if you want to wait for technological improvements or price reductions in solar equipment or installation, you may want to install your solar system later.

In conclusion, the electrical grid and home solar power in the greater Seattle region are both important topics for homeowners who want to save money and the environment. Home solar power can offer many benefits for homeowners in the area, but it also requires careful planning and research. If you are interested in installing solar panels for your home, you should compare multiple quotes from reputable solar installers and find the best option for your needs and budget. You can also contact us at The Greener Electron for more information and advice on home solar power. Thank you for reading our blog! 🌱

¹: Map of power generation in the Northwest – Northwest Power and Conservation Council. ²: About Seattle City Light – Seattle City Light. ³: Solar Panel Cost in Seattle, WA – EnergySage. ⁴: Federal Investment Tax Credit for Solar Energy – Solar Energy Industries Association. ⁵: Renewable Energy System Cost Recovery Program – Washington State Department of Commerce.