The cost of solar panels in Bellingham, WA (2024)

Updated Nov 12, 2024

  • You'll pay an average of $12,962 to install a 5 kilowatt solar panel system in Bellingham, WA, before incentives.

  • The federal investment tax credit (ITC) lowers that price by 30% of all your solar equipment and installation costs.

Don't overpay for solar in Bellingham

Compare multiple offers and save up to 20%

Please enter a five-digit zip code.

Written by: Emily Walker

As of November 2024, the average solar panel system costs $2.59/W including installation in Bellingham, WA. For a 5 kW installation, this comes out to about $12,962 before incentives, though prices range from $11,018 to $14,906. After the federal tax credit, the average price drops by 30%.

Average price of a 5 kW solar panel installation in Bellingham, WA

Good Price
$11,018 or less
Market Average
$12,962
High Price
$14,906 or more

You'll probably pay even less than what we show here. It doesn't include the federal ITC or Bellingham, WA state incentives, which will lower this price by at least a few thousand dollars.

Your solar panel cost depends on your system's size

It may seem obvious but larger solar panel systems cost more money. We use cost per watt ($/W) so you can easily compare quotes, controlling for slight variations in system size.

While a 5 kW system will only cost you $12,962 in Bellingham, WA, doubling the system size effectively doubles the price, so you'll pay about twice that for a 10 kW system. The higher the price tag, though, the more you'll get back as a credit towards your federal tax bill.

Average solar cost by system size in Bellingham, WA

System Size
System Cost
System Cost (after ITC)
3 kW$7,777$5,444
4 kW$10,370$7,259
5 kW$12,962$9,074
6 kW$15,555$10,888
7 kW$18,147$12,703
8 kW$20,740$14,518
9 kW$23,332$16,333
10 kW$25,925$18,147

Are solar panels worth it in Bellingham, WA?

Solar panels are worth it in most areas, including Bellingham, WA. Certain factors, including the cost of electricity, incentives, climate, and the angle at which the sun hits your roof impact how quickly you break even on your investment relative to other areas around the U.S. 

If you pay for your system with cash, you'll save about $20,069 over 25 years (the warranty term of most solar panels) on electricity costs with a 5 kW system in Bellingham, WA. We generate this estimate based on real solar quote data from our Marketplace. It considers your system's cost, the federal tax credit, and inflation rates.

Payback Period
14.04 Years
25-Year Savings
$20,069
Cost-per-Watt
$2.59

If you can't shell out $12,962 in cash to pay for solar, don't sweat it. You can choose to finance your system with a loan instead. Some companies even offer $0-down loans so you can start saving on day one if your loan payments are less than your current electric bills. Just keep in mind that your long-term savings will be lower with a loan due to interest rates.

Find out what solar panels cost in your area in 2024
Please enter a five-digit zip code.
  • 100% free to use, 100% online
  • Access the lowest prices from installers near you
  • Unbiased Energy Advisors ready to help

The numbers we're showing are averages. The price you'll pay for solar depends on many factors unique to you and your home:

If you're looking for solar companies in WA, here are some popular suggestions:

  • Blossom Solar
    Arlington, WA
    Established 2017
    Elite Installer
    As the EnergySage 2024 Local Installer of the Year & multi-year award winner of the Seattle Times - Best In The P...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    43 Reviews

    As the EnergySage 2024 Local Installer of the Year & multi-year award winner of the Seattle Times - Best In The P...
  • Truly Electric & Solar
    Bellingham, WA
    Established 2022
    Elite Installer
    Solar shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg. We here at Truly Electric and Solar are a small artisian solar install...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    10 Reviews

    Solar shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg. We here at Truly Electric and Solar are a small artisian solar install...
  • Swiftwater Electric and Solar Inc.
    Bellingham, WA
    Established 21
    Advanced Installer
    We're a small firm with a combined experience of 25 years in the solar industry. We focus on low overhead and gre...
    Advanced Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    10 Reviews

    We're a small firm with a combined experience of 25 years in the solar industry. We focus on low overhead and gre...
  • Western Solar Inc.
    Bellingham, WA
    Established 2002
    Approved Installer
    We are a local company that has been installing solar in Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties...
    Approved Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    6 Reviews

    We are a local company that has been installing solar in Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties...
  • Freedom Solar Pros
    Bellingham, WA
    Established 2011
    Approved Installer
    Our main focus is always on quality, both with equipment used and the installation performed. We offer the best w...
    Approved Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    3 Reviews

    Our main focus is always on quality, both with equipment used and the installation performed. We offer the best w...

Solar is a major purchase, but you can get the price tag to come down a bit by being an educated shopper. Taking advantage of incentives and rebates and shopping around for quotes can bring down your cost of solar in Bellingham, WA.

Take advantage of federal and local solar incentives

As long as your federal tax bill is high enough, you can take advantage of the federal tax credit in Bellingham, WA. This incentive allows you to apply 30% of your solar installation and equipment costs toward your federal tax bill. If the amount exceeds your tax bill, you can roll over the remaining credit to the following year. Many states also offer great local incentives and rebates.

Get quotes from multiple installers

Comparing multiple solar quotes can save you money through competition and transparency. Each additional quote you receive for solar will help you find the right solar panel system at the right price.

This is where EnergySage can help. With funding from the Department of Energy’s SunShot Prize, EnergySage opened the country’s first (and now the largest) marketplace for home solar panel installations. We gather custom solar quotes from local installers on your behalf and put them in an easy-to-compare format. When you compare quotes for solar panels on the EnergySage Marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than if you work with a single solar company.

Why shop with EnergySage?

Save time & money

Request free quotes from vetted installers in minutes

Unbiased support

Our expert Energy Advisors will help you make the right decision

Trusted, local installers

We pre-screen and monitor all of our partners

Consumer reviews of EnergySage

Back to the top
Did you find this page helpful?
Discover whole-home electrification
Home solar
rooftop solar icon

Create your own clean energy with solar panels.

Community solar
community solar icon

Enjoy the benefits of solar without rooftop panels.

Heating & cooling
Heat pump icon

Explore heat pumps, the latest in clean heating & cooling technology.