Adding solar panels and switching rate plans can lower your Seattle City Light electric bill
Updated: October 22, 2020There are three ways you can reduce your SCL bill: changing your habits, switching your rate plan, and adding solar panels.
You've probably heard a lot about reducing energy consumption by doing things like switching to LED lightbulbs and adding insulation to your walls, but these fixes are relatively easy compared to the far more impactful step of making changes to your lifestyle.
The second thing you can do is switch your rate plan. SCL doesn't offer time-of-use billing that can help you save money by shifting your usage of energy-intensive appliances to off-peak hours, but there may be other options for you .
Finally, you can reduce or even eliminate your electricity bill by installing solar panels on your home.
On this page:
Solar panel cost calculator
How much can I reduce my Seattle City Light bill by switching to a different rate plan
For some people, the savings from switching rate plans may only be a few dollars per month, but for many it can be $20-$100 per month. That's between $240 and $1,200 that you may now be paying to Seattle City Light each year for no reason.
Finding out what's available to you is as simple as a phone call or email to Seattle City Light. Even a small savings can be worth it.
Are solar panels worth it for Seattle City Light customers?
Probably not. Washingtonians enjoy extremely low electricity prices because of the state's vast hydroelectric generation resources. This is very good for your pocketbook as a utility customer, but it means that solar panels pay you back much less here than they do for people in other states. Add to that the fact the King County is awfully cloudy during much of the year, and you get an equation that doesn't add up.
Does Seattle City Light offer full 1 for 1 net metering credits for exported solar power
Yes, Seattle City Light offers 1 for 1 net metering. This means you are paid the same rate for excess solar energy that you export to the utility grid during the middle of the day as what you pay for power purchased from the grid.
In the case of Seattle City Light, this is approximately $0.1 per kWh.
Excess generation credits expire on April 30th of each year.
What incentives, tax credits and rebates are available to SCL customers for installing solar?
The major financial incentive currently available until the end of 2023 is the 30% federal solar tax credit. The way this works is that the full cost of the system needs to be paid to the installer, and this tax credit can then be claimed back as cash when you next do your taxes.
Many states, local governments and utilities also offer incentives for homeowners who go solar. This help can take the form of state tax credits, rebates, tax breaks, SRECs or even performance-based incentives. The best part is that all of these incentives apply in addition to the federal credit.
Here is every incentive you may be eligible for as a SCL customer:
Table 1: Incentives
| Upfront Incentives | Value* |
|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit (Federal) | -$9,900 |
|
Renewable Energy Sales and Use Tax Exemption
(State)
Sales and use tax not applied to machinery/equipment used to generate at least 1 kW but no more than 100 kW of electricity with solar energy. |
Varies |
|
Net Metering
(State)
All utilities must offer net metering, credited at retail rate and carried over month-to-month. Excess credits surrendered to utility on April 30 of each calendar year. |
Varies |
| TOTAL | -$9,900 |
*Based on 12.78 kW system, average installation cost $33,000
How much does installing solar panels save the average Seattle City Light residential customer?
If you input the details for a SCL customer with a power bill of $140 per month into the best online solar panels calculator, it tells you that you need a 12.78 kW solar system that will produce 14,072 kWh per year and that this system will return the owner a $36,243 profit after repaying the cost of the system.
The solar savings possible for you as a SCL customer will depend on the amount of electricity you use and the cost of the solar system you buy. Savings also vary based on the direction of your roof or any shading of your roof that affects output.
Here is a monthly and lifetime solar savings estimate for the same relatively typical SCL customer with a $140 per month electric bill prior to solar and who installs a 12.78 kW solar system.
How much do residential solar panels cost for SCL customers?
Showing data for:
Prices based on a 11.9kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
Solar prices near you
Net profit (savings less system cost)
$29,903-$36,548
Payback period
10.7-13.1 years
Recommended size for the selected utility bill
11.9kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Detailed information about your estimate
Table 2: Estimate details
|
System Size (for 100% usage offset) 12.78 kW |
|
Annual Power Generation 14,072 kWh |
|
Pay-back time (assuming Cash purchase) 12.4 Years |
|
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) on Investment 1% |
|
Gross cost $33,000 |
|
Total Upfront Incentives and Rebates -$8,579 |
|
Net Cost of System after rebates and incentives $24,418 |
|
Total Cost of Utility Power Avoided over 25 years $60,661 |
Please note that the investment return figures do not include the possible increase in property value.
What are the environmental impacts of Seattle City Light customers installing solar panels?
While most homeowners decide to install solar panels because of financial savings over time, the environmental impacts of this choice are the primary motive for others. Here is a breakdown of the environmental benefits from a Seattle City Light customer installing a 12.78 kW solar system on their property:
A solar system generating 14,072 kWh per year will save you money AND make the world a nicer place
Saves you
$1,450
on average per year
Reduces CO2 emissions
6.97
tons per year
Equivalent to planting
49 trees
per year
Equivalent to driving
15,409 mi
less per year
CO2 emissions calculation based on the electricity generation and emissions data for your state in 2015 as published by the US Government Energy Information Administration.
What factors affect the price of solar panels for Seattle City Light customers?
The cost of installing solar panels will vary with brands of solar panels and inverters you choose and also the installation company you choose to install them.
It is common to see really good systems, using quality brands of equipment, being sold for around $2.58 per watt or $24,418 for a standard 12.78 kW solar system after the customer claims the 30% federal solar tax credit.