Summary of Oregon solar incentives 2021
If you go solar in Oregon, you can be sure the state will support you for the long haul. Residential solar programs here have been progressive, and there are sizable solar incentives to claim here. Read on to learn why going solar in Oregon in now one of the surest investments you can make.
Oregon offered some new low income and battery storage rebate programs in 2020. It was a step in the right direction, though available funds were lacking, as both programs were fully subscribed very quickly, and are no longer available. Hopefully the positive impacts from the program can be reworked into a more meaningful pool of solar funds in the coming years.
On this page, you can:
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Learn what solar incentives are available to Oregon homeowners
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See what Oregon solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
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Find out how much these incentives and/or Oregon solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
Federal solar investment tax credit
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Oregon
This perk is commonly known as the ITC, short for “Investment Tax Credit”. If you install your photovoltaic system in 2020, the federal tax credit is 26% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 26% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 26% = $5,200.
The federal tax credit falls to 22% at the end of 2022.
Net energy metering in Oregon
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
With net metering, if you generate more power than you need with your solar panels, you’ll get a credit on your next month’s bill. Thankfully, Oregon provides your credits at 100% of the retail rate.
However, you can’t keep carrying the credits over indefinitely. At the end of each billing year, you forfeit extra solar energy credits to the utility, and the money they would have saved you goes to the utility's low-income programs instead. That's actually a wonderful idea, so kudos, Oregon!
Oregon solar rebates
The Energy Trust of Oregon provides a nice solar rebate to PGE and Pacific Power customers. The amount is $300 per kilowatt (kW), up to a maximum of $2,400. So, to max out this credit, you could shoot for an 8-kW solar installation.
When you claim your rebates, the only downside is your performance payment renewable energy certificates (RECs) will be owned by the utility. RECs are credits that can be sold to utilities so that they can meet their renewable portfolio standards. If you take the Oregon Energy Trust rebate, the utility will already own your RECs, so you can’t go selling them to someone else.
A new statewide solar rebate program was available in Oregon in 2020, but had a meager budget of $2 million for the year. The incentive included solar power and battery storage with enhanced rebate amounts for low and moderate income residents.
The program allocated $200 per kilowatt (kW), up to 40% of the total costs, or $5,000, whichever was less.
You could have expected about $1,200 in credits through this program with a typical 6kW home solar installation (6kW * $200 per kW).
The rebates low- and moderate- income residential rebate was $1,800 per kilowatt, up to 60% of cost, or $5,000, whichever was less. This amount of funding definitely had the potential to change some lives.
Unfortunately, this rebate program had a tiny budget of just $2 million, and was closed to new applications in April of 2020. With a bigger budget it could be much, much more successful in helping people go solar. We’ll see what happens with the program budget in 2021 and beyond.
Learn more: Oregon’s statewide solar + storage rebate program
Low income program
The Energy Trust of Oregon debuted a new low-income solar program in 2020 called “Solar Within Reach”. It provides a hefty rebate incentive of $1,500 per kW, up to $9,000.
That, when combined with the other $2,400 rebate on an 8kW system and the 26% Federal Tax Credit are enough to almost cover the entire cost of your solar energy system.
To qualify, you’ll need to be at or below gross annual maximum income amounts which increase depending on the number of people living in your home. For program details, check out the Energy Trust’s Solar Within Reach website.
Cost of solar panels in your part of Oregon after all applicable solar incentives
Showing data for:
Prices based on a 11.8kW system, after 26% federal tax credit
Solar prices near you
Payback period
11.9-14.5 years
Net profit (savings less system cost)
$31,060-$37,962
Average size system installed in OR in 2021
11.8kW
Solar panel cost calculator
Best 10 solar companies in Oregon
27 solar companies in Oregon provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.81 97 Reviews
Latest review
Danny, over 1 month
Extremely professional. Everyone answered my questions, patiently as I had a lot of technical questions. I got a high quality non-Chinese made system that will pay for itself in about 7-10 years with a 25 yr warranty.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$14,750 ($2.95 per watt)
Latest review
Danny, over 1 month
Extremely professional. Everyone answered my questions, patiently as I had a lot of technical questions. I got a high quality non-Chinese made system that will pay for itself in about 7-10 years with a 25 yr warranty.
4.71 50 Reviews
Latest review
Bob, 1 day ago
Since I have a solar thermal unit in the roof, I needed a pole-mounted system, which in turn necessitated engineering and city approval. My system has been up since 2005. It worked exactly as he said it would. It is adjustable, safe, durable, and reliable. Best of all, he still periodically answers my questions when I ask about expanding my existing system. I don’t hesitate to recommend him to friends and family. He also installed a 3.3 kW roof-mounted system on my parent’s house.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$16,250 ($3.25 per watt)
Latest review
Bob, 1 day ago
Since I have a solar thermal unit in the roof, I needed a pole-mounted system, which in turn necessitated engineering and city approval. My system has been up since 2005. It worked exactly as he said it would. It is adjustable, safe, durable, and reliable. Best of all, he still periodically answers my questions when I ask about expanding my existing system. I don’t hesitate to recommend him to friends and family. He also installed a 3.3 kW roof-mounted system on my parent’s house.
4.63 1,530 Reviews
Latest review
Wayne, 1 day ago
Up to tis point I am very satisfied with all aspects of Blue Raven Solar the salesman was very knowledgeable about the product he was selling and the installing crew was very professional about takin care of my property and informing me about all aspects of the installation. Both were excellent at informing me what was the next step toward being energy efficient on my own.
Read more
Latest review
Wayne, 1 day ago
Up to tis point I am very satisfied with all aspects of Blue Raven Solar the salesman was very knowledgeable about the product he was selling and the installing crew was very professional about takin care of my property and informing me about all aspects of the installation. Both were excellent at informing me what was the next step toward being energy efficient on my own.
4.59 35 Reviews
Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
E2 Solar has now installed two PV systems for me. They are knowledgeable, professional and committed. I recommend them without reservation.
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Latest review
Anonymous, over 1 month
E2 Solar has now installed two PV systems for me. They are knowledgeable, professional and committed. I recommend them without reservation.
4.56 12 Reviews
Latest review
Matt & Brenda Hald , over 1 month
veryone is so friendly and helpful. They took the time to listen to and answer my million questions. Everything in our home is electric except the stove; we also keep an RV plugged in to run the AC all summer. It only took one month to have a zero balance and credit on our electric bill! Thank you, Purelight!
Read more
Latest review
Matt & Brenda Hald , over 1 month
veryone is so friendly and helpful. They took the time to listen to and answer my million questions. Everything in our home is electric except the stove; we also keep an RV plugged in to run the AC all summer. It only took one month to have a zero balance and credit on our electric bill! Thank you, Purelight!
4.53 16 Reviews
Latest review
Liz, over 1 month
I’m very glad that we went with Prostat Solar. Their bid was right in the middle and they went the extra mile. We had our roof redone after they did their measurements and one change was a plastic membrane on a flat part of our roof that required a special anchor for the panels. The contacted our roofers and got specific on the exact membrane and what anchors were needed. They special ordered it for us and kept us up to date on when it would come in. It does not end there; I was doing some research on the panels and realized that in about a month some panels with a higher watt would come out. I contacted them and asked if we could have those. They redid the outline for the solar panels and also contacted our loan people, since these panels we a little more. Prostat Solar went out of their way to make sure that we had the most power that we were able too. Communication through out all of this was great. The crew were very fast putting the panels in place and were very polite and cleaned up after themselves. If it was not for the panels on the roof, you would not know that they came. Very glad that we went with them.
Read more
Latest review
Liz, over 1 month
I’m very glad that we went with Prostat Solar. Their bid was right in the middle and they went the extra mile. We had our roof redone after they did their measurements and one change was a plastic membrane on a flat part of our roof that required a special anchor for the panels. The contacted our roofers and got specific on the exact membrane and what anchors were needed. They special ordered it for us and kept us up to date on when it would come in. It does not end there; I was doing some research on the panels and realized that in about a month some panels with a higher watt would come out. I contacted them and asked if we could have those. They redid the outline for the solar panels and also contacted our loan people, since these panels we a little more. Prostat Solar went out of their way to make sure that we had the most power that we were able too. Communication through out all of this was great. The crew were very fast putting the panels in place and were very polite and cleaned up after themselves. If it was not for the panels on the roof, you would not know that they came. Very glad that we went with them.
4.52 24 Reviews
Latest review
Ginny, over 1 month
I can't say enough positives things about my recent experience with my solar install by Blue Sky Solar. They communicated with me every step of the way. My particular experience required my entire roof be reinforced and replaced. I ended up using a roofer they had past experience with and could not be happier with the results. Im still new to my panels being installed so cannot comment yet on savings. I would very much recommend the Blue Sky team on your project.
Read more
Latest review
Ginny, over 1 month
I can't say enough positives things about my recent experience with my solar install by Blue Sky Solar. They communicated with me every step of the way. My particular experience required my entire roof be reinforced and replaced. I ended up using a roofer they had past experience with and could not be happier with the results. Im still new to my panels being installed so cannot comment yet on savings. I would very much recommend the Blue Sky team on your project.
4.50 10 Reviews
Latest review
Dundee OR, over 1 month
I did not know it at the time but what Solar Energy Solutions gave me was more than a great job, it was truly a gift that continues to influence me, my family, my neighbors and my community.<br />
Read more
Latest review
Dundee OR, over 1 month
I did not know it at the time but what Solar Energy Solutions gave me was more than a great job, it was truly a gift that continues to influence me, my family, my neighbors and my community.<br />
4.50 11 Reviews
Latest review
Corin C, 3 weeks ago
Extremely helpful and quick to respond to any sort of questions or problems. There was initially an issue where the solar panels we discussed and reviewed were no longer being manufactured and the Power Northwest team worked hard to find a suitable replacement on short notice. I'm happy with how everything went and would gladly recommend them to anyone looking to get solar panels.
Read more
Latest review
Corin C, 3 weeks ago
Extremely helpful and quick to respond to any sort of questions or problems. There was initially an issue where the solar panels we discussed and reviewed were no longer being manufactured and the Power Northwest team worked hard to find a suitable replacement on short notice. I'm happy with how everything went and would gladly recommend them to anyone looking to get solar panels.
4.39 16 Reviews
Latest review
Hofferosa, over 1 month
I spent quite some time talking with the team at National Solar. Being somewhat new to the technology,, I asked a LOT of questions and the National team was very responsive and ansewered every one. Except for the delay getting materials (due to the pandemic) the install went seamlessly and looks GREAT! I would recommend National Solar.
Read more
Latest review
Hofferosa, over 1 month
I spent quite some time talking with the team at National Solar. Being somewhat new to the technology,, I asked a LOT of questions and the National team was very responsive and ansewered every one. Except for the delay getting materials (due to the pandemic) the install went seamlessly and looks GREAT! I would recommend National Solar.
Solar guides for your Oregon city
For more information about going solar near where you live, check out the following resources:
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