Electrical Panel Upgrades in Kent, WA

A generator, an EV charger, and a solar-plus-battery system all have one thing in common — they all depend on your electrical panel actually having the capacity to support them. Washington Generators handles panel upgrades as both a standalone electrical service and as the foundational step behind many of our generator, EV, and solar installations across Kent.

The Upgrade Nobody Notices Until It’s Missing

Panel capacity is invisible until a project reveals it’s insufficient — a homeowner ready to install an EV charger or generator sometimes finds out mid-estimate that the existing 100-amp panel from decades ago can’t handle the added load. We assess capacity honestly during every generator, EV, and solar estimate, and if an upgrade is needed, we handle it as part of the same project rather than as a separate surprise.

What’s Involved in a Panel Upgrade

A panel upgrade is more than swapping a box on the wall:

• Load calculation to determine required panel capacity
• Permitting and code compliance
• New panel installation with properly sized breakers
• Utility coordination where service upgrades are required
• Integration planning for generators, EV chargers, or solar/battery systems

Upgrades That Support What You’re Actually Planning

The right panel upgrade depends on what you’re powering — a generator’s automatic transfer switch, an EV charger’s dedicated circuit, and a solar/battery system’s inverter connections all have different requirements. We size the upgrade around your actual planned systems, not a generic bigger-is-better panel swap.

How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?

If you’re adding a generator, EV charger, or solar/battery system and your panel is older or near capacity, an upgrade is often needed — this is assessed honestly during your project estimate.

Does a panel upgrade require a permit?

Yes, panel upgrades typically require permitting and code compliance verification, which is handled as part of the installation.

Can a panel upgrade be done alongside a generator or EV charger installation?

Yes, when an upgrade is needed, it’s typically handled as part of the same project rather than as a separate, disconnected job.

What size panel do most Kent homes need?

Panel sizing depends on your home’s total electrical load, including any planned additions like a generator, EV charger, or solar system — this is determined through a load calculation during your estimate.