What Washington still offers after the federal credit ended
Every incentive on this page is verified against Washington government sources - and the expired ones salespeople still quote are called out.
The 30% federal solar tax credit ended for installations finished after December 31, 2025 - Everson systems completed in 2026 get $0 from it.
Under Washington's export rules, compensation for surplus power decides the payback - which typically runs 10-14 years on unsubsidized 2026 math.
Installed home solar for Everson homeowners averages about $2.58 a watt across the U.S. marketplace - roughly $30,960 for a 12 kW system before incentives.
If a salesperson in Everson tells you a 30% federal tax credit applies to your 2026 installation, they are quoting a dead law. What may still exist: Washington's own incentives and tax treatment, listed below, and lease/PPA arrangements where a company claims commercial credits - in which case the credit belongs to them, not you.
Leased and PPA systems deserve extra scrutiny in 2026: the sales pitch often bundles 'tax savings' that now accrue to the leasing company under separate commercial rules - not to you. Get every claimed saving in writing, attributed to a specific law, before signing a 20-25 year contract.
The 2026 numbers
| System size | Installed price (marketplace avg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $15,480 | Small roof / low usage |
| 8 kW | $20,640 | Typical starter system |
| 10 kW | $25,800 | Family home with AC |
| 12 kW | $30,960 | Large home / EV charging |
| Home battery (optional) | $12,000-$16,000 | Backup power + self-consumption |
Get solar quotes for Everson
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Disclosure: this is an independent guide. If you request quotes through a link here, the platform may pay this site a referral fee. That fee never changes your quotes.
Washington rules that decide your payback
| Rule | Washington status |
|---|---|
| Export compensation (net metering) | Washington utilities must offer net metering at retail rate (excess kWh credited forward on the next bill) for systems up to 100 kW, but only until the earlier of June 30, 2029 or the date a utility's cumulative net-metered capacity reaches 4% of its 1996 peak demand — a threshold several utilities have already crossed, after which they may offer less than retail rate. |
| State incentive | Sales and use tax exemption on purchases and installation of solar energy systems (RCW 82.08.962 / 82.12.962) — a 100% exemption, taken at the point of sale, for systems generating at least 1 kW and no more than 100 kW AC, including installation labor |
| Sales tax on the system | Exempt |
| Property tax on added home value | No exclusion on record |
Retail-rate net metering is not guaranteed for the life of your system: several Washington utilities have already hit the 4%-of-1996-peak-demand cap and may set their own export terms, and the statewide obligation ends June 30, 2029 regardless — so confirm your specific utility's current tariff before signing a contract.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published prices and state rules. It is not an installer, lender or tax advisor - verify incentive eligibility with a licensed tax professional before relying on it.
What this means for Everson roofs
The honest 2026 answer for Everson: solar pays back slower without the 30% credit - paybacks that ran 7-10 years often now run 10-14 - but electricity rates keep rising and hardware is the cheapest it has ever been. The deciding factor is Washington's export compensation, covered in the net metering section.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published prices and state rules. It is not an installer, lender or tax advisor - verify incentive eligibility with a licensed tax professional before relying on it.
Getting Everson quotes
The spread between the highest and lowest bid for the same roof routinely hits 30-50%, because solar quotes carry very different sales overheads. Two or three independent bids collected against the same system size is the single highest-value hour in the whole project.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published prices and state rules. It is not an installer, lender or tax advisor - verify incentive eligibility with a licensed tax professional before relying on it.
Common questions
What is net metering and why does it decide everything?
It is the rule for how your utility credits electricity you export. Full retail net metering credits exports at the same rate you pay - the grid works like a free battery. Net billing or avoided-cost rules pay far less per exported kWh, which lengthens payback and strengthens the case for a home battery.
Is my roof even suitable for solar?
Three things decide it: orientation (south-facing is best in the U.S., east-west workable), shade (trees or taller buildings across midday hours can sink the math), and roof age (if the shingles have under 10 years left, reroof first - removing and reinstalling panels later costs thousands). Any honest installer assesses all three before quoting a number.
How do I check if a solar quote is fair?
Divide the total price by the system's wattage. The U.S. marketplace average is about $2.58 per watt installed; $2.30-3.00 covers most fair quotes depending on roof complexity. Above that, ask exactly what you are paying extra for - in writing.
What happens if my installer goes out of business?
Panel and inverter warranties come from the manufacturers and survive, but the workmanship warranty usually dies with the company. That is a real risk in the post-credit shakeout - prefer installers with years of local history, and get manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage where offered.
Do I need a battery with my solar?
Not necessarily. Under full retail net metering, the grid effectively stores your surplus for free. Batteries earn their $12,000-16,000 price where export rates are low, outages are common, or time-of-use rates make evening self-consumption valuable.
Get solar quotes for Everson
These platforms collect bids from licensed installers so you can compare against the same spec. Prices come from installers, not from this site.
Disclosure: this is an independent guide. If you request quotes through a link here, the platform may pay this site a referral fee. That fee never changes your quotes.
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