Solar price drops and increased efficiencies are a few aspects that make potential adopters pause about when they should implement this energy-generating solution. The trend is slowing as labor and solar panel costs have recently increased alongside residential electricity prices. If you wait to install solar panels, you are waiting on money saved by not paying for electricity. With PSE’s proposal to increase electricity and gas prices  over the next couple of years to recoup costs, solar is a great way to hedge against short and long-term price increases in electricity. If you were to install solar to offset the average annual energy bill of $1,410 you would save at least the average 3.8% increase in electricity costs each year, so, $1,464, then $1,518, and so on.

VERDICT: Go Solar Now

With no Time-of-Use pricing for electricity in WA, battery storage will not provide a direct ROI for homeowners. Instead, they are the critical pairing with solar to create a home energy management system. With battery storage, you can fully utilize the solar energy panels are generating and store them in the batteries for use during grid outages. Battery storage is price prohibitive, but assuaged with the new standalone credit of 30% makes the decision that much easier. Lithium-ion batteries are a proven storage technology that, in years to come, homeowners will have many companies to choose from whether they want grid-tied or off-grid applications.

VERDICT: Wait unless you have 3 or more blackouts each Fall and Winter Season

Even if you wanted to acquire an EV today, you’d still have to wait. The high demand for electric cars makes it more challenging to find the exact model and all-electric vehicle that will propel you into the future! Paired with the new set of EV Tax Credit qualifications, over 70% of EVs available today are not eligible for the full $7,500 tax credit. As the new tax credit settles in and each year passes, more EV options will be available for consumers like you and me. I believe waiting for an EV is the right decision as we can see how automakers adjust to the recently passed IRA affects their operations and let the competitive market play out in our favor. 

VERDICT: Wait for more options and qualified EVs for the full tax credit

For most of us, acquiring a solar panel or battery storage system, a smart panel or EV, is a considered purchase that we plan for weeks, if not months, ahead of time. After deciding that you want to own one of these renewable energy technologies, research what company can provide the best experience. NWES, as a professional electrical and solar contractor, understands what is needed for homeowners to have the best solar PV and battery system for their homes. So we make it easy for you to choose what size of solar or battery system you want, as we will do for EV chargers for your new EV. 

VERDICT: Wait until you need to upgrade to account for new loads.