Go green with solar power in the Grit City

The state of solar in Tacoma

Tacoma may have a reputation for rain, but the city sees its fair share of sunshine, with an average of 3.5 peak sun hours per day and 141 sunny days per year.^*Best Places. Climate in Tacoma, WA. July 2021. An impressive 92% of Tacoma’s rooftops are solar viable as a result.^*Google, Project Sunroof data explorer (November 2018). The city set a goal in 2015 to increase its solar capacity by 26% by 2020—residents annihilated that goal, achieving an increase of over 426%.

How much solar energy does Tacoma produce?

As of 2020, Tacoma had a total installed solar capacity of 4,127 kW, up from 784 kW in 2015.

A Community Solar project launched by the city in 2016 consisting of four 75 kW solar arrays was the first of many contributions to that increase, but far from the last. Residents of all ages have since joined the push for solar adoption, with students at Jason Lee Middle School successfully advocating for a 100 kW rooftop system in 2019.

What are the advantages of going solar in Tacoma?

Thanks to increasingly competitive solar prices in the Tacoma market, the potential energy cost savings are the main advantage of switching to solar. Currently, residential consumers pay an average of $0.117 per kilowatt-hour. Even at a relatively low monthly consumption of 800 kWh, an average household could save around $1,123 per year after the solar payback period.

Going solar also has environmental benefits as it significantly decreases your household's carbon footprint. Unlike fossil fuels, sunlight is an abundant and freely available source of energy that doesn’t contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

If greenhouse gas emissions in Tacoma remain at their current levels, it's estimated Puget Sound will rise up to 50 inches by 2100, and we’ll see a 15% reduction in mountain snowpack, a seven-degree increase in average annual temperatures, and increasingly extreme weather. These effects could lead to soil erosion, flooding, wildfires, and more.

How much does solar cost in Tacoma?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same city, due to a range of factors. These include:

• Household's energy needs

• Quality of the solar system's panels and parts

• Angle of the roof

• Roof space

• Weather

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we've analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.^*Local Solar Installers 2020/2021, Solar Reviews 2021, Energy Sage 2021, Wood Mackenzie 2020, National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2020 In Tacoma, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,250 to $14,900, or in other words, from $2.65 to $2.98 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

If you purchase your system rather than rely on financing, you may be eligible for the 26% federal investment tax credit (ITC).^*Tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information. Washington State also offers the State Renewable Energy System Incentive Program (RESIP), which offers a rebate between $0.02 to $0.12 per kWh generated up to $5,000 annually for residential solar systems.

The rebate is capped at 50% of your installation costs and can only be claimed for 8 years. Unfortunately, the program began waitlisting new applications in June 2019 and is awaiting new funding.

What's the best way to go solar in Tacoma?

A quality solar system can provide electricity for 25 to 40 years or longer. However, the longevity and quality of your solar system will vary depending on your solar provider.

Before purchasing and installing a new solar system, it’s critical to consider your energy objectives, as they determine the specifications and power output you need. For example, do you want to cover all of your electricity usage, or do you just need a backup power solution to see you through blackouts? Your solar installer can help you consider these factors and more to select the right system for your needs.

With over 35 years of experience in the industry, SunPower makes going solar simple. Get started today by requesting a free consultation, and we'll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.