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Josephine NesbitHome improvement writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 solar companies that operate within 50 miles of Kent. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
To perform a high-quality solar panel installation in Kent, Washington, you'll need a properly certified, skilled and experienced solar installer. We've put together a list of the leading solar companies in Kent to help you choose the right one.
Before selecting an installer, ask others for recommendations, evaluate potential installers and get multiple quotes to find the ideal company for your requirements. You can find a local solar company in Kent or go with an established national brand.
While putting in solar panels requires a significant initial investment, it can lower your energy bills over time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that changing to solar energy allows Kent homeowners to save an average of $750 annually.
Various solar companies offer different services. Take the time to look at each company and get quotes from all before scheduling your solar panel installation.
When researching Kent solar companies, look for those with a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars on sites like Google Reviews and similar platforms, in addition to a good reputation on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Reviewing previous customer reviews will give you a sense of how other homeowners felt about the company, so be wary if you see a pattern of negative reviews.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Places with different sunshine levels, including rainy or cloudy areas like Kent, can still use solar power. The top reasons to switch to solar power are:
Our survey from October 2023 found that the national median price of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The price of solar panel installation is impacted by your labor costs, sunlight availability, area, shading, system size and roof orientation. Choosing extras such as solar trackers, animal guards or batteries will raise the overall cost.
As per numbers from NASA, the EIA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), solar panel installation in Kent has a typical cost of $10,925.
Solar panel installation is a substantial initial investment, but you can expect to see considerable savings reflected in your energy bills after some time.
In Kent, you can anticipate saving money after switching fully to solar. However, it takes time to recover the initial investment, and factors such as rain and tree coverage impact how long it takes to see a return on your solar investment.
Beyond cost savings, switching to solar power also shrinks your carbon footprint and minimizes your environmental impact. Provided below are the projected CO2 emission reductions you can expect from solar energy, as determined by our analysis of data from NASA and the EPA.
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Kent homeowners can take advantage of various solar incentives. Particular programs are offered statewide to all Washington residents, whereas others vary based on utility company, municipality and city.
According to the DSIRE, here are the solar incentives offered to Washington residents:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Feed-in Tariff Renewable Energy Cost Recovery Incentive Payment | FY 2021: $0.02/kWh - $0.10/kWh |
Sales Tax Incentive Renewable Energy Sales and Use Tax Exemption | 100% exemption for sales of forest derived biomass used as fuel; 100% exemption for solar photovoltaic systems 10 kilowatts or less, and solar thermal systems; 75% exemption for other qualified systems |
Green Building Incentive Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard for Affordable Housing | See Website |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
Before choosing a professional solar panel installation company, go over these key considerations.
The right solar system size for you relies on how much energy your household uses, as well as the system's energy production ratio. Larger homes often need bigger solar setups. If the system isn't large enough, it may fail to generate sufficient electricity to power your whole home.
Your solar installation project may be subject to applicable codes and permit requirements by your state. You'll need to acquire the required permits from your local building department, as well as arrange an inspection.
Not all homes get the same amount of sun. Local tree coverage, rainfall and harsh weather can affect sunlight access. If your property doesn’t get sufficient sunlight, then you may need additional panels with higher wattage.
A solar battery enables the storage of extra power in solar panel systems. This becomes incredibly helpful when you're trying to prevent power loss during storms. Incorporating battery storage could raise the cost of installation.
You have options among solar panel types, as they differ in design, life expectancy and efficiency. These elements can change the cost, how soon you'll need to swap panels and space used on your roof.
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.
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