Solar Atlas · Washington
Is solar worth it in Seattle, WA?
A 7 kWdc rooftop array in Seattle makes about 7,616 kWh a year (NLR PVWatts, modeled) and pays back in 23.7 years at City of Seattle’s 15.0¢/kWh residential rate (Aug 2025–Jul 2026), with no federal credit. Exports follow Washington net metering.
47.61°N · 8.2–15.8 h daylight · site signature
- Production
- 1,088 kWh per kWdc per year · capacity factor 12.4% AC
- Residential rate
- 15.0¢/kWh · City of Seattle
- Exported solar
- Washington net metering · credited at retail
- Climate
- warm-summer Mediterranean (Köppen Csb) · 12.0 °C mean, 999 mm/yr
Source: NLR PVWatts v8.5.0 (NSRDB PSM V3 GOES tmy-2020 3.2.0) — 1 kW, tilt 20°, azimuth 180°, roof mount, 14% losses · fetched 2026-09-24 · modeled, not metered
Source: EIA-861M utility average · Aug 2025–Jul 2026 · EIA Washington average Jan–Jul 2026 14.4¢ · utility’s EIA-861 2024 average 14.1¢
Source: Customers of Washington electric utilities while the utility must still offer net metering (until the earlier of 2029-06-30 or net-metered capacity reaching 4% of its 1996 peak) · checked 2026-09-24
Source: NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020, SEATTLE TACOMA INTL AP, WA US (18.5 km away) · fetched 2026-09-24
No federal credit: the homeowner credit (§25D) ended for systems installed after 2025-12-31. A lease or PPA price may reflect the lessor’s §48E credit. 26 U.S.C. §25D(h) and (e)(8)(A) · policy as of 2026-09-24
Make it your answer
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Your exact roof, or a business
The payback calculator runs hourly PVWatts at your address. The Modeler opens a grid-tied home at Seattle. A business goes to the Quote Studio with the 12.8¢/kWh commercial rate.