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Solar panels in Kent, WA

Roofs in Kent get about 1,232 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 98% of the cities we've measured. Here's what that means in cost, savings and payback, using real rooftop data rather than a national average.

1,232Sun hours / yr
26Panels typical
$20,748Cost after credit
17 yrPayback
Be careful in Kent. At a 17-year payback, solar here is a long-horizon decision, mostly because electricity is relatively cheap (11.3¢/kWh). It can still make sense if rates rise or you have local incentives — but check the numbers hard before signing.

Check your specific roof in Kent → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.

What a typical Kent solar system costs

A 26-panel system (10.4 kW) is about right for an average Kent home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,891 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.

Estimated economics by system size in Kent, at 11.3¢/kWh after the 30% federal tax credit
SystemSizekWh/yr Net costSaves/yrPayback
8 panels3.2 kW 3,351$6,384 $379 16.9 yrs
12 panels4.8 kW 5,027$9,576 $568 16.9 yrs
16 panels6.4 kW 6,702$12,768 $757 16.9 yrs
20 panels8 kW 8,378$15,960 $947 16.9 yrs
26 panels10.4 kW 10,891$20,748 $1,223 17 yrs

Notice that payback barely improves as systems get bigger, and eventually gets worse. That's because you can only save money on electricity you were going to buy anyway. Once a system covers your usage, extra panels mostly generate exports at a much lower rate.

Why Kent gets 1,232 sun hours

That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Kent — it already accounts for shading from trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings, which is why it's lower than the raw "hours of daylight" figures you'll see elsewhere. An unusually open, unshaded roof in Kent reaches about 1,309 hours, roughly 6% better than typical.

The numbers behind this page

Typical usable sunlight1,232 hrs/yr
Unshaded roof1,309 hrs/yr
Electricity rate (Washington avg)11.3¢/kWh
Installed cost assumed$2.85/W
Panel size assumed400 W
Federal tax credit30%
Typical household usage10,800 kWh/yr
Power used as generated35%
Paid for exported powerfull retail (net metering)
Rooftops sampled here15
Google imagery from2024

Nearby cities

Solar panels in Federal WayWashingtonSolar panels in RentonWashingtonSolar panels in BellevueWashingtonSolar panels in TacomaWashingtonSolar panels in SeattleWashingtonSolar panels in EverettWashington

See all of Washington → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.

Kent solar questions

How many solar panels do I need in Kent?

About 26 panels for an average home. Kent roofs get 1,232 usable sun hours a year, so each 400W panel produces roughly 419 kWh annually.

Is solar worth it in Kent?

At 11.3¢/kWh and 1,232 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 17 years and returns roughly $9,826 over 25 years. That is slower than the national average, so compare quotes carefully.

How much do solar panels cost in Kent?

A 10.4 kW system costs about $29,640 before incentives and $20,748 after the 30% federal tax credit. Prices vary by installer, roof complexity and equipment.

Worth reading before you buy

What your utility pays for exportsChanges payback more than any equipment choice 12 questions to ask before signingIdentical systems vary 30–40% in price How long until it pays for itself?Guide Do panels work in winter?Guide

Estimates only, generated 2026-08-22 from Google Solar API rooftop samples and average Washington electricity rates. Not a quote and not financial advice. Your roof, usage, utility plan and local incentives will change these numbers — get real quotes before buying.