Should I Put Solar Panels on My Roof in Seattle?

Wondering if getting solar panels in rainy Seattle is worth the thousands of dollars in installation costs? Worried they won’t work when the sun hardly shows up?

At RoofSmart, we help each of our customers choose not just the right roof for them, but also any extra equipment they need (like skylights or solar panels). We talk through the pros and cons of installing solar panels (or other added equipment) so that you understand the full picture before spending thousands of extra dollars. 

You’re not alone in wondering whether solar panels make sense in a cloudy climate like the Pacific Northwest. Between the steep installation costs and the uncertainty around sunlight, it's easy to second-guess whether this eco-friendly upgrade is a smart move for your home, or just a waste of money.

In this article, you’ll get a breakdown of the pros and cons of installing solar panels on your roof in Seattle so you can make an informed, confident decision based on your goals, your home, and your budget.

How do solar panels benefit my Seattle home?

Solar panels can be a great addition to your home if you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to upgrade your home and increase your long-term savings. 

Here are the benefits of installing solar panels on your roof: 

• What tax credits do you get with solar panels? The IRS offers U.S. homeowners a tax credit that gives you back 30% of the cost of solar panels on your roof (or another approved eco-friendly item). If you’re unsure if you want to invest in solar panels, it can be helpful to know you’ll be getting some of your money back as a reward for being eco-friendly. 
• Do solar panels add value to my home? Installing solar panels can increase the value of your home. This is something to keep in mind if you’re looking for ways to upgrade your home and increase its value when you sell it in the future. Seattle has a competitive housing market, so this could be a way to set your home apart. 
• Will solar panels reduce electricity costs on my Seattle home? Switching over to a full or even partially solar-powered home can help you reduce your electricity costs. How much you actually save depends on how your solar energy system is set up and how much of your home is powered by the solar panels. You can even get credit on your electricity bills if you produce extra electricity and send it back to the grid through Seattle’s net metering program
  • Seattle City Light rate: Currently $0.1375/kWh for residential customers. 
  • Annual savings: In an unshaded Seattle location, each 1 kW of panels yields roughly 1,000 kWh/year. A 20kW system is standard, meaning you’ll produce roughly 20,000 kWh per year. So 20,000 kWh × $0.1375/kWh ≈ $2,750 per year in savings.

• Will solar panels power my home during a power outage? Yes, if you set up your solar panels to charge up a backup battery that can power your entire house in emergencies. This is a great option if you're worried about losing power for days after a Seattle windstorm takes out a bunch of power lines. 
• How do solar panels help me avoid inflation? Investing in solar panels now might mean that you’re locking in your electricity costs for the future. Right now, Washington State has fairly low electricity costs, but they could go up in the future. You never know, right? But if you’re using solar panels to power your home, you know that your costs will stay the same. 

What are the drawbacks of getting solar panels in Seattle?

Although solar panels have many great benefits, there are some downsides that you should consider before making your final decision. 

• Can solar panels damage my roof? Most Seattle homeowners have asphalt shingle roofs. To install solar panels on this type of roof, you have to drill holes into the roof. If they aren’t sealed properly, your roof is at risk of leaking when it rains. Leaks are a big concern for any roof in Seattle! One of the only roof types that won’t get damaged during solar panel installation is standing seam metal. The solar panels can clip right onto it, so there’s no need to drill holes (however, metal roofs are expensive to install). 
• Is installing solar panels expensive? Yes, solar panels can cost $20,000 to $30,000 to install. With tax credits, you’ll get some of that money back. However, that’s still a fair amount of money to spend on solar panels. 
• What happens if I need to replace my roof after I get solar panels? Solar panels usually last around 25 years, so make sure you coordinate their installation with how long your current roof will last. It would be a bummer to spend all that money on solar panels only to have to spend another $10,000+ to have them removed and reinstalled so your roof can get replaced. 
• Will solar panels require extra maintenance? Solar panels cast a lot of shade onto your roof. In a wet, rainy area like Seattle, shady areas on the roof are a prime target for moss and algae. You’ll need to be vigilant about cleaning your asphalt shingle roof underneath the solar panels to prevent damage from algae or moss. There’s not a lot of space between the panel and the roof, so it can be difficult to clean. 
• Will solar panels get enough sunlight on my Seattle home? This is the big concern for homeowners in Seattle and the surrounding areas. This part of Washington is famous for gray, rainy days. Honestly, it is not a good bet that your roof will get enough sunlight for the cost of solar panels to be worth it (even in the summer). You should also consider which direction your roof faces. North-facing roofs won’t get enough sunlight, but west and south-facing roofs might have a better chance. The amount of sunlight you need also depends on how much you want to use your solar panels. 

How do I know if solar panels are worth it for my Seattle home?

For solar panel installation, it really comes down to your budget and your intent behind getting solar panels. 

Realistically, you’re probably not going to see a true return on your investment, even after getting a tax credit and cutting your electricity costs, because the installation is so expensive. 

So, if your motive is saving money, it might not be worth it as a Seattle (or surrounding area) resident. However, if you can afford to install solar panels and you’re passionate about doing what you can to protect the environment, then solar panels are probably a good choice for you. 

Make sure that you’re choosing a contractor who knows what they’re doing so that your roof doesn’t end up leaking. Use our Qualified Roofer Checklist to help you find a trustworthy installer. 

Even though this checklist was made for evaluating roofers, it can still apply to other types of contractors: 

How Much Does It Cost to Install Solar Panels in Seattle?

You know that solar panels are expensive, but exactly how much do they cost? Let's break it down. As of June 2025, Seattle homeowners pay an average of $2.67 per watt installed.

The average system is a 20 kW system. So, 20,000 Watts × $2.67/W ≈ $53,400 before incentives. 

After getting 30% off from federal tax credits, your total cost becomes $37,380. 

So, you can expect to pay around $50,000 and then get some of it back from the tax credit discount. 

What are the additional costs to install solar panels?

 Aside from the cost of the solar panels and the labor to install them, there are a few additional costs that you should keep in mind. These will contribute to the total cost, but are not eligible for the 30% tax credit discount. 

• Electrical permit:
  
  
  • This costs approximately $239 for systems under 7.7 kW. Larger systems require additional plan-review fees. We recommend budgeting around $300–$500.
    
    
• Plan review & building permit:
  
  
  • If your 20 kW array requires plan sets, expect $1,000–$2,000 in combined fees for the plan review and inspections.
    
    
• Electrician hookup (labor):
  
  
  • Labor runs about $0.59 per watt, which would come out to roughly $11,800 for 20 kW (≈10 % of system cost).
    
    
• Utility interconnection:
  
  
  • No fee for net-metered systems that are 100 kW or less under Seattle City Light’s program. You simply submit an interconnection agreement.

Getting Solar Panels In Seattle: Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of installing solar panels in the Seattle area: 

Considering Solar? Your Roof Type Might Matter More Than You Think

At this point, you know the key advantages and drawbacks of putting solar panels on your Seattle home. Maybe you’re excited about lower electricity bills and long-term savings—or maybe you're hesitating because of the cloudy weather, the cost, or the risk of roof damage.

But here’s something many Seattle homeowners don’t consider until it’s too late: your roof material plays a major role in how effective—and safe—your solar panel setup will be.

If you want to avoid leaks, reduce maintenance, and make the most of your solar investment, read our article “Should I Install Solar Panels On A Standing Seam Metal Roof?”. 

This article breaks down exactly why metal roofing is the top choice for homeowners who are serious about getting solar right from the start.