Western Solar was founded in Whatcom County in 2002, and it remains our deepest-served territory. With 3,000+ residential and commercial solar installations across Washington State, a significant share of those roots grow right here in Whatcom. Our team lives in these neighborhoods, shops at the co-op, hikes and bikes local trails, and spends their time volunteering at community-centered non-profits like Sustainable Connections.
Pat B.
Solar installation and battery storage in Bellingham
We could not be happier with the entire process. I already had some panels installed in 2018 by Western Solar and wanted to have a battery backup and added more panels at the same time. They had an information meeting at their business and saw all the different options. So integrating old and new had me concerned. They followed up the next day and over the period of the next month and many emails from me, they dialed in what I wanted and needed and left me without a concern at all.
The alignment of the panels, the lay out of the conduit, the placement of the battery ~ just absolutely stellar! We absolutely recommend Western Solar. They made sure we were satisfied at every step of the process.
Going Solar in Whatcom County
Whatcom County has long attracted people who value independence, resilience, and long-term thinking, and solar fits naturally within that mindset. Generating electricity from your own roof reflects the same spirit of self-sufficiency that has shaped communities across the region. In Bellingham especially, sustainability is woven into everyday life through a strong local food economy, an extensive park system, and a growing university community.
Puget Sound Energy (PSE)
The majority of Whatcom County is served by Puget Sound Energy (PSE). PSE is Washington’s largest investor-owned utility, serving over 90,000 households in Whatcom County alone.
Solar Net Metering
PSE currently offers 1:1 net metering, allowing homeowners to receive full credit for excess energy sent back to the grid, though this structure is expected to evolve in the coming years. The first step to design your system involves sizing it appropriately for your electricity needs. Our How to Download Your Puget Sound Energy Bill guide will walk you through downloading your historical electricity usage and a copy of your most recent bill, so we can get started on your system design.
Flex Batteries Program
Puget Sound Energy offers a Flex Batteries program that pays homeowners to enroll their battery systems and automatically support the grid during periods of high demand. Participants receive upfront incentives and ongoing payments, with no action required during events.
Municipal Electric Utilities
While most of Whatcom County is served by Puget Sound Energy, a few communities operate their own municipal electric utilities. If your home is within certain city limits, your utility provider and solar interconnection process will differ from the rest of the county.
City of Blaine
If you live within the Blaine city limits, your electricity is provided by the City of Blaine’s municipal utility, not PSE. Contact the City of Blaine Electric Department for a copy of your historical electric usage at (360) 332-8820 or ci.blaine.wa.us.
City of Sumas
The City of Sumas provides electric service within the city limits. Contact the city directly for historical usage records at (360) 988-5711 or cityofsumas.com.
Jurisdictions & Permitting
Permitting for residential solar projects in Whatcom County depends on whether a property is inside or outside city limits. Western Solar handles all standard building and electrical permitting on your behalf.
Within City Limits
The cities of Bellingham, Ferndale, and Blaine don’t require a building permit for standard solar PV systems. Other cities, such as Lynden and Everson, have additional requirements for the design and layout of solar arrays, which require us to apply for a building permit and complete a final building inspection after the installation. All electrical permitting is handled through Washington State’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), with the exception of the City of Bellingham, which has its own electrical permitting and inspection process.
Outside City Limits (Unincorporated Whatcom County)
For properties outside incorporated areas, no building permits are required for standard solar PV systems, provided they follow established design and engineering guidelines. Electrical permits are purchased and inspected through L&I. This is typically a fast and standardized process, which helps keep projects moving efficiently.
Incentives & Tax Exemption
Solar installations in Washington State benefit from a significant financial advantage: systems under 100 kW are fully exempt from state and local sales tax. Depending on the local rate, this results in savings of roughly 8.5–10% or more on total system cost.
This exemption is currently in place through 2029 and requires no action from the customer. It is applied automatically at the time of purchase, meaning qualifying equipment is simply not taxed.
Grid Reliability in Whatcom County
Grid reliability varies across Whatcom County depending on geography and proximity to utility infrastructure. These differences can influence whether solar is primarily a financial investment, a resilience tool, or both.
High Vulnerability
Foothills & Rural Communities
Rural and semi-rural communities along the foothills — including Deming, Glacier, Maple Falls, and areas along the Nooksack River corridor — tend to experience longer and more frequent outages due to severe weather, falling trees, and greater distance from utility substations.
These areas are especially strong candidates for battery systems, which can provide backup power and improve resilience during extended outages.
Storm Exposure
Coastal Communities
Coastal communities such as Blaine, Birch Bay, Lummi Island, and parts of the Lummi Nation can also experience grid disruptions during winter storms moving inland from the Salish Sea.
A combination of solar plus battery storage can help homeowners maintain essential power during these storm-related outages while reducing reliance on portable generators.
More Grid Stability
Core Neighborhoods
Established neighborhoods in Bellingham, Ferndale, and Lynden generally benefit from more reliable grid infrastructure and closer proximity to utility substations.
In these areas, solar is often driven less by outage concerns and more by long-term financial value: locking in electricity costs, earning net metering credits during higher-production months, and reducing exposure to future utility rate increases.
Whatcom County Project Highlights
