Solar: Shop Smart

Solar power is a great way to invest in clean, renewable energy; strengthen resilience in the event of a power outage (pair it with battery storage!); reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and lower electricity bills.

Oregon has experienced a solar boom over the last decade - check out the Oregon Department of Energy's solar dashboard to see its growth over the years. As more Oregonians have turned to solar, the price to install a new system has significantly decreased. In 1999, a residential solar system in Oregon cost about $16.53 per watt to install. As of 2021, that cost had dropped to about $3.66 per watt.

Federal, state, and local incentives and rebates have helped bolster solar adoption in Oregon homes - from the federal tax credit to incentives from the Oregon Department of Energy and Energy Trust of Oregon. Eligible homeowners can stack incentives from different programs to save even more.

Thinking about adding solar to your home or business? Be sure to shop smart as you consider your options. Many social media users, online news readers, and other web surfers have likely seen advertisements offering "free solar in your area!" Some ads even imply it's a state government program offering free rooftop panels (this is not the case). Unfortunately, you know what they say - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

ODOE urges Oregonians to carefully read all terms and conditions before deciding on a solar program or installer. Your experience should be easy and transparent - with no surprises - with the right company. Consider getting bids from two or three different contractors before signing a contract. Request that each proposal include the total system cost, including all dealer fees and financing costs, as well as the size of the proposed system in watts. Divide the cost by the system size to get each bid in terms of dollars per watt, which can be compared between contractors.

The good news is that existing and new programs will continue to lower the cost of solar for Oregon homes. While ODOE's Solar + Storage Rebate Program is currently out of funding, the agency hopes to reopen applications to low-income participants thanks to a federal Solar for All investment. The federal tax credit remains available, and customers of Portland General Electric and Pacific Power can contact Energy Trust of Oregon to see their options.