State Incentives
In 2019, Washington State announced that the Department of Revenue would reinstate the Sales and Use Tax Exemption for purchases and installation of solar energy systems, effective July 1, 2019 until December 31, 2029. The exemption applies for systems that produce at least 1kW and up to 100kW AC electricity. 100% of costs are eligible for the 8.3% (or more) sales and use tax exemption. More information is available here.
In 2019, Washington State announced that the Department of Revenue would reinstate the Sales and Use Tax Exemption for purchases and installation of solar energy systems, effective July 1, 2019 until December 31, 2029. The exemption applies for systems that produce at least 1kW and up to 100kW AC electricity. 100% of costs are eligible for the 8.3% (or more) sales and use tax exemption. More information is available here.
Net Metering
OPALCO members with grid-tied solar PV systems are eligible for net-metering. Net-metering means that if your array produces more electricity than you consume (common in summer months) then you earn a credit ($0.086/kWh) for the electricity you send back to the grid. If you consume more electricity than your array produces (common in winter months) then your electricity bill reflects what you used from the grid, what you generated (and used), and any excess generation credit. Moreover, if it happens that you have produced more electricity than you consumed, then OPALCO will credit your bill for the excess production at the solar rate ($0.086/kWh) at the end of the month.
*OPALCO charges a flat fee of ~$60 each month, even if you use no electricity. This is known as the facilities charge and allows OPALCO to cover infrastructure costs even as electricity consumption varies.
OPALCO members with grid-tied solar PV systems are eligible for net-metering. Net-metering means that if your array produces more electricity than you consume (common in summer months) then you earn a credit ($0.086/kWh) for the electricity you send back to the grid. If you consume more electricity than your array produces (common in winter months) then your electricity bill reflects what you used from the grid, what you generated (and used), and any excess generation credit. Moreover, if it happens that you have produced more electricity than you consumed, then OPALCO will credit your bill for the excess production at the solar rate ($0.086/kWh) at the end of the month.
*OPALCO charges a flat fee of ~$60 each month, even if you use no electricity. This is known as the facilities charge and allows OPALCO to cover infrastructure costs even as electricity consumption varies.