• Lower Bills - Lower or eliminate your electricity bill. Depending on your annual consumption and the space you have for a solar PV array, you could reduce your electricity charges to zero all 12 months of the year. For an average household in San Juan County that is an annual savings of over $1,000 at today’s rates. At the current pace of electricity rate increases in Washington, this savings could double to $2,000 or more per year in the next decade. In 2023, OPALCO increased rates by 6%.​

• Return on Investment – Solar panels are a great, recession-proof investment with returns rivaling more traditional investments like stocks & bonds.  Savings on your electric bill , coupled with federal tax credits means your PV solar system will be paid off well before the expected 25+ year life of the system. 

• Renewable Energy - Demand for electricity continues to increase in Washington, while production from the primary source of electricity production, hydropower, will likely decline due to renegotiated water treaties, drought, and pressure to help orcas and salmon.  By choosing to install solar on your property, you are helping utilities meet increased demand with renewable energy production rather than natural gas or even coal power production. 

• Increased Home Value – A 2015 study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that installing solar on your home increased the value of your property by an average of $3 per kilowatt of solar nationally, and up to $4 per kilowatt in areas like San Juan County. 

• Support a Local Business – Rainshadow Solar & Energy Solutions, Inc., is a locally-owned and operated small business, based on Orcas Island. All 12 of our employees live on Orcas Island, including 9 licensed electricians and electrical trainees.