Best 4 Solar Companies in Yakima, WA

With Yakima's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's a great area for homeowners and businesses hoping to harness the additional sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar companies. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $970 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional company can help you choose the best panels to maximize your savings. In this guide, we'll highlight Yakima's best solar companies and offer advice for your company choice, so you can find the right one for your home.

Ranking Methodology

Our team focuses on the following criteria to determine the best Yakima solar companies.

• Certifications and licenses: Each contractor on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Yakima community for over 15 years.
• Panel brands and quality: The best solar companies remain current on new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and optimize its performance.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Yakima solar companies have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar installers should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each provider responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy has several advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Adopting solar is a surefire way to reduce your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.
• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, reducing your regular electricity costs. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant number of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
• Better energy independence: Solar panel systems with energy storage systems operate through power outages and emergencies, and you won't have to rely on your power company for your safety and well-being.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Yakima Homeowners?

Washington's public agencies and power companies offer numerous solar incentives to help reduce your solar system costs. Here's a breakdown of relevant solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Yakima

The more thorough your company research is, the better your solar installation will ultimately operate. Here are some important factors to bear in mind while searching for a solar provider.

Licensing and Training

Solar energy contractors in Washington must hold an electrical contractors' license from the Department of Labor and Industries. In some situations, the department may also conduct permit inspections to confirm compliance and the viability and integrity of a contractor's job. Solar providers can also pursue accreditations from standards organizations and trade groups. The most respected ones in the industry come from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Yakima

Your photovoltaic panels' model will influence how much energy you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

You can also add battery backups and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can maximize your solar system's efficiency. Not every solar contractor provides these optional components, so look for a company that installs them if it's important for you.

You can plan to spend about $17,950 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Yakima. Use the table in this section to get an idea of the amount Yakima solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Yakima

Choosing the right financing plan will affect your overall solar system cost and possible savings. Common payment options include cash payments, loans, power purchase agreements, and leases. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Much like a home or car loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you will not have ownership of your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in specific circumstances. We advise working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each representative about what's available, and get more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your budget.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Yakima.

You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, utilities and local governments may have their own financing plans and rebates that could reduce your total cost even more.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy