Solar power in Oregon
The combination of full retail net metering, utility-based incentives, and the 26% federal tax credit puts Oregon within the top 15 states for solar. Despite the state’s less-than-average solar irradiation and relatively cheap power, the possible return on investment from solar panels on your home more than makes up for the lack of sun and low electricity rates.
In terms of going solar, the overall picture in Oregon is pretty good - with average solar system payback times around 10 years on a 5 kilowatt (kW) system.
The federal and utility-level incentives that are available make now the perfect time to go solar.
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Oregon
Oregon solar power facts
$3.78 watt
Average cost: 5kW solar power system
?11 Years 7 Months
Average payback time
$40,465
Average lifetime savings
?9¢ kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
25¢ kWh
If you don't get solar
?12,335 kWh
Annual power production
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 12.18kW system
This 12.18kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in Oregon is $147, however, your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
4
Solar companies in Oregon that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
How much can solar panels save you in Oregon
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Oregon
| System Size | Cash purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $8,614 | $9,303 |
| 4kw | $11,337 | $12,244 |
| 5kw | $13,986 | $15,105 |
| 6kw | $16,517 | $17,838 |
| 7kw | $19,011 | $20,531 |
| 8kw | $21,430 | $23,145 |
| 9kw | $23,776 | $25,678 |
| 10kw | $26,048 | $28,132 |
How much do solar panels cost in Oregon?
$3.78 per watt
Cash purchased solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$4.20 per watt
Financed solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$0.0¢ /kWh
Lease/PPA
Ave 15 year term, 2.5% price escalator
What are the pros and cons of installing solar panels in Oregon?
The advantages of installing solar panels in Oregon are that there are several utility-based incentives and a net metering law, which are key to making solar a worthwhile investment. Pair those incentives with the federal tax credit and you have the potential for excellent savings.
SolarPowerRocks provides a great breakdown of solar incentives and policy for each state within the US.
The main disadvantage of installing solar panels for your home in Oregon is that there is less overall sunshine in the state per year, meaning a solar system produces less here than it would in some other states. Also, the cost of grid power is cheap in Oregon, which means you get less money back for excess generation than you might in a state with higher electric prices. Despite these, incentives in Oregon still make solar an excellent choice for a home or business owner.
Enter your details to calculate the potential costs and savings you can receive from installing solar panels for your home.
Best solar companies in Oregon
Find local city information
Find local information for cities in Oregon
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Oregon
Best brands of solar panels
To find the best brands of solar panels you can use America's most trusted solar panel comparison and reviews website, SolarReviews.
However, reviews of solar panels can be a bit meaningless because most consumer owners have not had any issues and so while solar company reviews are very important when choosing solar installers they are of less use when choosing solar panels.
For more information to help you make an informed decision about this topic, I would recommend this article about buying solar panels.
How much electricity will solar panels produce in Oregon
Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.
Around the Portland area solar panels installed on a south-facing 34-degree pitch roof will typically produce:
1,160kWh
per year per 1kW of peak DC
(direct current) capacity
For more information about how your location, roof direction, and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your zip code.
I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself
What rebates, solar tax credits and other solar incentives are available in Oregon?
Oregon solar power rebates
The Energy Trust of Oregon offers the following residential utility-level incentives when installing a solar system on your home:
| Utility | Rebate Amount | Incentive Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PGE | $0.40 / watt | $2,400 maximum incentive per home |
| Pacific Power | $0.40 / watt | $2,800 maximum incentive per home |
The Energy Trust of Oregon uses remote shading analysis to determine the Total Solar Resource Fraction (TSRF) of your system. This estimates the effect of shading, tilt, and orientation on your system's performance. To qualify for the Energy Trust of Oregon incentives, your system must have an on-site shade analysis TSRF of 75% or higher, and a remote shading analysis TSRF of 80% or higher.
By taking advantage of this incentive, you allow the Energy Trust of Oregon to keep a portion of the renewable energy credits your system produces.
Individual utilities also offer solar rebates. For example, Ashland Electric Utilities Department offers a solar electric rebate. Through this program, the utility will provide you a cash incentive of $0.50 per Watt of solar installed on your house. Check with your electric provider to see what rebates might be available.
Net metering in Oregon
Solar, by its nature, generates the most power during the middle of the day when most people are at work or school and little power is being used in the home. The net metering policy in Oregon mandates that for every surplus kilowatt hour (kWh) generated by solar (like the excess energy your system creates during the day) investor-owned utilities must provide a credit for each kWh of energy that is purchased from the grid at another time. These credits can be carried over from month to month.
The state’s net metering policy also dictates that municipal utilities, cooperatives, and peoples’ utility districts must provide customers with either a kWh credit (like the investor-owned utilities) or purchase excess generation at the utility’s avoided cost rate for electricity.
Property tax exemption
Typically, when a solar system is installed on a home, the value of the home increases and as a result, so do the property taxes. Oregon’s property tax exemption policy allows 100% of the assessed cost of a system to be exempt from property taxes, so there will be no increase in your property taxes.
The property tax exemption only lasts until July 1, 2023, so this incentive won’t be around for much longer!
Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program
Oregon homeowners can apply to the Oregon Department of Energy’s Solar + Storage Rebate Program when they install a solar system on their home. An additional rebate is provided if a solar panel system is installed with battery storage.
There are two residential rebates available: the low and moderate income household rebate and non-income restricted household rebate. Click here to find out more details about the Oregon Solar + Storage program and to see which rebate you qualify for.
Low and moderate-income households receive a higher incentive rate than non-income restricted households. If a non-income restricted household also qualifies for a utility incentive, they will receive a lower rebate from the Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate program.
The solar incentive rates are as follows:
| Customer type | Rebate Amount | Incentive Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Low and moderate income | $1.80 / watt | $5,000 maximum incentive |
| Non-income restricted | $0.50 / watt | $5,000 maximum incentive |
| Non-income restricted with utility incentive | $0.20 / watt | $5,000 maximum incentive |
If battery storage is installed with the solar system, homeowners will receive an additional rebate.
The storage incentive rates are as follows:
| Customer type | Rebate Amount | Incentive Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Low and moderate income | $300/kWh | $2,500 maximum incentive |
| Non-income restricted | $300/kWh | $2,500 maximum incentive |
| Non-income restricted with utility incentive | $300/kWh | $2,500 maximum incentive |
Oregon Solar Calculator
Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in Oregon, we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information you require.
What you can find out about installing solar panels in Oregon using our full monthly solar calculator
This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:
- What size solar system do you need?
- Answers the question of How many solar panels do I need?
- How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels
- Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt-hours) you can expect from your solar system in Oregon
- The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.
- Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in Oregon or Portland ;
- The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.
- Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero-down PPA or third party lease product.
If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this Oregon solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.
Going solar in Oregon
Check out all of the ways energy providers of Oregon can help you be more energy-efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems | State | Property Tax Incentive |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program | State | Rebate Program |
| Energy Trust of Oregon Incentive - Portland General Electric | Utility | Rebate |
| Ashland Electric Utilities Department Solar PV Rebate | Utility | Rebate Program |
| Lane Electric Cooperative - Residential Efficiency Rebate Program | Utility | Rebate Program |
| Eugene Water and Electric Board's Solar Electric Program | Utility | Rebate Program |
| Salem Electric PV Program | Utility | Rebate Program |
| Energy Trust of Oregon Incentive - Pacific Power | Utility | Rebate Program |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Your city may have further incentives to offer. Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives is the solar installers who specialize in your area.
