Solar Contractor Insurance in Washington State

Solar contractors in Washington operate at the intersection of roofing, electrical work, and structural engineering — a combination that creates a layered risk profile unlike almost any other specialty trade. Every installation puts your crew on a roof handling fragile, expensive panels while simultaneously performing high-voltage DC electrical connections. The fall exposure alone places solar work among the highest-risk construction activities, and the electrical component adds fire, arc flash, and electrocution hazards on top of it.

Roof penetrations are the single most common source of liability claims for solar contractors. Every lag bolt, flashing, and mounting bracket you install creates a potential point of water intrusion. In Washington's relentless rain climate, a single improperly sealed roof penetration can lead to months of slow water damage before the homeowner discovers rotting sheathing, saturated insulation, or mold growth behind drywall. These completed operations claims are particularly insidious because the leak may not become apparent for a year or more after installation, and Washington's six-year construction defect statute under RCW 64.50 gives homeowners a wide window to bring claims. A single roof leak traced to a solar installation can generate $30,000 to $100,000 in repair costs once you factor in panel removal, roof repair, interior restoration, and mold remediation.

The electrical risks are equally serious. Solar systems generate DC power the moment panels are exposed to light, meaning your crew works with energized circuits that cannot simply be switched off. Improper wiring between panels, inverters, and service panels creates fire risk that may not manifest until months after installation — when a loose connection arcs under load during a hot summer day. An inverter fire that spreads to a home can generate property damage claims exceeding $500,000, and if someone is injured, the bodily injury component pushes the total even higher.

Washington requires solar contractors to hold both a general contractor or specialty contractor registration with L&I and a separate electrical contractor license under RCW 19.28 for the electrical portions of the work. The $15,000 specialty contractor surety bond is required, but it barely scratches the surface of your actual liability exposure. Equipment damage is another significant concern — a single pallet of solar panels can represent $15,000 to $40,000 in inventory, and a forklift tip-over, jobsite theft, or transit accident can wipe out your margin on an entire project. Inland marine coverage is essential for protecting panels, inverters, racking, and specialized tools in transit and on the jobsite.