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Plug-In Solar in Washington

There's no plug-in solar law in Washington. HB 2296 lost its plug-in rules before it became law. The companion bill SB 6050 stalled, so standard net metering rules apply.

A home with a plug-in solar panel on the porch railing, the kind of kit Washington's rules apply to

Before connecting in Washington, you need your electric utility's sign-off. Use an inverter with a UL 1741 listing that includes anti-islanding, or a UL 3700 listing.

Plug-In Bills: Washington

  • HB 2296 (2026): The draft lawmakers introduced would have permitted portable solar units up to 1,200 W with UL 3700 certification. You wouldn't have needed approval from your utility, city, county or landlord. A House substitute stripped out every portable solar provision. Signed 23 Mar 2026, the bill became Chapter 136, Laws of 2026, effective 11 Jun 2026, and it covers rental housing energy investments rather than plug-in solar. Bill details
  • SB 6050 (2026): This Senate companion lays out portable solar rules, including UL 3700, 1,200 W, and a requirement to notify the utility before installing. The Senate energy committee passed it. On 26 Feb 2026 the bill landed in the Senate Rules X file, and it never passed. Bill page

Today's Rule in Washington

Connecting to the grid: WAC 480-108 covers the interconnection process for investor-owned utilities. A setup of 25 kW or less that is inverter-based and single-phase can go through the simple Tier 1 process. For 0 to 25 kW, the application fee is $100 or less. Under statute (RCW 80.60.040), the system has to meet NEC, IEEE and UL safety requirements, and the customer pays the cost.

Net metering: for systems up to 100 kW, utilities must offer it. It lasts until the sooner of 30 Jun 2029 or once net metering hits 4% of the 1996 peak demand at that utility. For Net metering customers, the minimum monthly fee matches what others in their rate class pay.

Savings from a Kit in Washington

PVWatts estimates 1,113 kWh a year for every 1 kW of panel capacity in Seattle. Washington households pay 14.4 cents for each kWh in 2026 so far. With an 800 W kit, it depends on where it goes:

Where the panels gokWh a yearSaved a year
Tilted south on a stand890$128
Upright on a railing561$81
Facing east or west712$103

Seattle Month by Month

kWh made by an 800 W kit, tilted south.

Kit Prices for Washington

KitkWh a yearSaved a yearPays back inPrice
US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit1,313$1894.7 years$899
Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit401$587.2 years$414
EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit890$1288.6 years$1,099

Tilted south, with all of it used at home. Compare all kits

Good to Know in Washington

  • Public power covers much of Washington. The City of Seattle and Snohomish County PUD hold second and third place among retailers. Consumer-owned utilities can set a net metering tariff of their own after the state threshold is reached.
  • Under Washington law, HOA governing documents can't prohibit solar panels on property belonging to an owner or resident. HOAs may set placement rules that are reasonable.
  • Power is fairly cheap: in 2024, the average residential price came to 11.90 cents/kWh.

Do You Rent or Use a Balcony?

The mount is your landlord's or HOA's decision; the hookup is your electric utility's decision. Read about balcony solar and solar for apartments.

Main Utility Providers

  • Puget Sound Energy
  • City of Seattle (Seattle City Light)
  • PUD No 1 of Snohomish County

Next Steps for You in Washington

  1. Choose your size: in Seattle, expect about 445 kWh every year from a 400 W kit, and about 1,335 kWh from a kit of 1,200 W. Run yours
  2. Keep an eye on HB 2296 in the next session. Should it pass, the approval step may no longer be needed.

Sources

All states at a glance, or check a neighbor: Oregon, Idaho, Montana.