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.
4.80 95 Reviews
Latest review
John & Tobyn, over 1 month
Before choosing a photo voltaic installer for our solar panels and system, we researched 3 different companies: a local, regional, and a national business. We went into the analysis open minded, but figured the national company might have more resources to give to better service and probably had the cheapest price. A&R - our local option - was the second company we researched and quickly impressed us. Not only do they work with most all the best-in-class suppliers the other business do, but their service was unparalleled. I'm a business analysis for a large organization and an environmentalist at heart. I wanted to be sure that we were making not only a sound environmental choice, but also a smart, long term economical decision. We're had lots (and lots) of questions. And while all 3 companies mostly answered all of our questions, A&R's followup ensured that we were satisfied with their answers - and somehow filled in emotional gaps to address our bigger picture questions that were hard to articulate. The install team wasn't just a bunch of wrench turners. They were super smart and willing to answer very technical questions that came up later in the game. The ops/project management team worked together smoothly and kept us involved and informed at the level we wanted to be. But it's A&R's sales team that went above and beyond. Our sales rep - more like a customer success genius - connected with us immediately on so many levels. She knows solar - and got to know us in a way that allowed her to connect her depth of PV knowledge with our desire to make a smart decision and investment in solar. Although A&R was a little more expensive than the other options, they weren't much more. For our money, whenever we can invest in a local business, we're glad to do so. Our experience with A&R is one we're so glad to tell over and over.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,750 ($2.95 per watt)
Latest review
John & Tobyn, over 1 month
Before choosing a photo voltaic installer for our solar panels and system, we researched 3 different companies: a local, regional, and a national business. We went into the analysis open minded, but figured the national company might have more resources to give to better service and probably had the cheapest price. A&R - our local option - was the second company we researched and quickly impressed us. Not only do they work with most all the best-in-class suppliers the other business do, but their service was unparalleled. I'm a business analysis for a large organization and an environmentalist at heart. I wanted to be sure that we were making not only a sound environmental choice, but also a smart, long term economical decision. We're had lots (and lots) of questions. And while all 3 companies mostly answered all of our questions, A&R's followup ensured that we were satisfied with their answers - and somehow filled in emotional gaps to address our bigger picture questions that were hard to articulate. The install team wasn't just a bunch of wrench turners. They were super smart and willing to answer very technical questions that came up later in the game. The ops/project management team worked together smoothly and kept us involved and informed at the level we wanted to be. But it's A&R's sales team that went above and beyond. Our sales rep - more like a customer success genius - connected with us immediately on so many levels. She knows solar - and got to know us in a way that allowed her to connect her depth of PV knowledge with our desire to make a smart decision and investment in solar. Although A&R was a little more expensive than the other options, they weren't much more. For our money, whenever we can invest in a local business, we're glad to do so. Our experience with A&R is one we're so glad to tell over and over.
4.74 49 Reviews
Latest review
MiguelATF, over 1 month
We needed a full solar installation at the end of 2019 and we were on a schedule - due to our personal financial situation: we were hoping to use the generous solar tax credit on our income taxes, but couldn't do it unless a complete installation was up and running before the end of 2019. We live in Talent, a small town halfway between Medford and Ashland in southern Oregon, and in the fall of 2019, we talked with and interviewed all the 'usual suspects' - three or four generally excellent solar contractors in the area. All of whom seemed friendly and knowledgeable - but all of whom were over-committed and over-booked and literally unavailable for new projects before 2020. Then we met and interview Kirpal Khalsa and his small company, Oregon Solarworks. Kirpal was thoughtful, incredibly knowledge, open and literally trust-inspiring. Although his company is based in Grants Pass, in the neighboring county, he works frequently and does installations in Jackson County, where we are located. Even better, we were lucky that his schedule was opening up - and he would be able to fit our job in with enough time to complete the installation, to get all the required permits and approvals, AND to have us up and running before the end of 2019. All in all, it was a large project - and not an inexpensive one, either. Kirpaul's pricing and quotes were right at the same level as those of all the other experienced and professional solar contractors in our area. But when you are about to invest a chunk of your savings into a project, it's helpful to have confidence in the ability of the contractor to whom you are entrusting the job - and Kirpaul not only inspires (and inspired) our confidence - but once we began the project, he was thorough, thoughtful and consummately professional. He gave us a realistic schedule and finished the entire job slightly ahead of schedule - but, better yet, he took a great deal of time to explain to my wife and myself every detail of what for us was a new process - a Solar Installation. I can't truly say enough about his skill, thoughtfulness and professionalism. I'm writing this review nearly half a year after the installation, and thanks to our new Solar system, we have literally been 'saving' an average of around $100 a month - whether for winter heating or the necessary use of our heat-pump-based air conditioning which might seem like a luxury to some, but in weeks and weeks of 100 degree summer weather, has been a lifesaver. In our previous, pre-Oregon-Solarworks installation life, we would have been shelling out significant amounts on our monthly electricity bill - but now, it has virtually disappeared. I would and will unhesitatingly recommend Kirpal - and Oregon Solarworks - to anyone in the greater southern Oregon area who is considering or in need of an excellent solar contractor. He really knows his stuff - and having an installation done by someone who is thoughtful as well as skilled and professional, was a bonus.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$16,250 ($3.25 per watt)
Latest review
MiguelATF, over 1 month
We needed a full solar installation at the end of 2019 and we were on a schedule - due to our personal financial situation: we were hoping to use the generous solar tax credit on our income taxes, but couldn't do it unless a complete installation was up and running before the end of 2019. We live in Talent, a small town halfway between Medford and Ashland in southern Oregon, and in the fall of 2019, we talked with and interviewed all the 'usual suspects' - three or four generally excellent solar contractors in the area. All of whom seemed friendly and knowledgeable - but all of whom were over-committed and over-booked and literally unavailable for new projects before 2020. Then we met and interview Kirpal Khalsa and his small company, Oregon Solarworks. Kirpal was thoughtful, incredibly knowledge, open and literally trust-inspiring. Although his company is based in Grants Pass, in the neighboring county, he works frequently and does installations in Jackson County, where we are located. Even better, we were lucky that his schedule was opening up - and he would be able to fit our job in with enough time to complete the installation, to get all the required permits and approvals, AND to have us up and running before the end of 2019. All in all, it was a large project - and not an inexpensive one, either. Kirpaul's pricing and quotes were right at the same level as those of all the other experienced and professional solar contractors in our area. But when you are about to invest a chunk of your savings into a project, it's helpful to have confidence in the ability of the contractor to whom you are entrusting the job - and Kirpaul not only inspires (and inspired) our confidence - but once we began the project, he was thorough, thoughtful and consummately professional. He gave us a realistic schedule and finished the entire job slightly ahead of schedule - but, better yet, he took a great deal of time to explain to my wife and myself every detail of what for us was a new process - a Solar Installation. I can't truly say enough about his skill, thoughtfulness and professionalism. I'm writing this review nearly half a year after the installation, and thanks to our new Solar system, we have literally been 'saving' an average of around $100 a month - whether for winter heating or the necessary use of our heat-pump-based air conditioning which might seem like a luxury to some, but in weeks and weeks of 100 degree summer weather, has been a lifesaver. In our previous, pre-Oregon-Solarworks installation life, we would have been shelling out significant amounts on our monthly electricity bill - but now, it has virtually disappeared. I would and will unhesitatingly recommend Kirpal - and Oregon Solarworks - to anyone in the greater southern Oregon area who is considering or in need of an excellent solar contractor. He really knows his stuff - and having an installation done by someone who is thoughtful as well as skilled and professional, was a bonus.
4.65 1,442 Reviews
Latest review
Nicholas Marinko, 5 hours ago
I had bids from a few companies that will not be named. Blue Raven was not the cheapest cost/kWh and I asked the sales rep directly what am I getting from the extra cost. One was the quality of panels, he compared and brought up the solar panels and spoke of the warranties that were offered. I then asked competitor companies to send over their panel spec sheets and compared and from what I gathered (was narrowed down to 3 companies at this point) the long term quality was better from Blue Raven with a higher efficiency rating guarantee after a much longer term. The next was aesthetics where they run the piping inside the home through the basement so there is not a ton of piping running down the side of our house to the electrical box, this is all hidden with minimal change in look to our home. Drake was our rep and I can say he followed up with us through the whole process, there was a soft "handoff" to the next steps in the process but I could always ask him a question and he would follow up with the correct people so I always had a "go-to" for any question I had and never got the run around from anyone. Very happy with my purchase and will see how the system performs over the years but the setup was very easy, quality and warranties back up the high quality and if it doesn't it will be at Blue Raven's expense.
Read more
Latest review
Nicholas Marinko, 5 hours ago
I had bids from a few companies that will not be named. Blue Raven was not the cheapest cost/kWh and I asked the sales rep directly what am I getting from the extra cost. One was the quality of panels, he compared and brought up the solar panels and spoke of the warranties that were offered. I then asked competitor companies to send over their panel spec sheets and compared and from what I gathered (was narrowed down to 3 companies at this point) the long term quality was better from Blue Raven with a higher efficiency rating guarantee after a much longer term. The next was aesthetics where they run the piping inside the home through the basement so there is not a ton of piping running down the side of our house to the electrical box, this is all hidden with minimal change in look to our home. Drake was our rep and I can say he followed up with us through the whole process, there was a soft "handoff" to the next steps in the process but I could always ask him a question and he would follow up with the correct people so I always had a "go-to" for any question I had and never got the run around from anyone. Very happy with my purchase and will see how the system performs over the years but the setup was very easy, quality and warranties back up the high quality and if it doesn't it will be at Blue Raven's expense.
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.
Read more
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.
4.50 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 />
4.46 23 Reviews
Latest review
Goboy1 , over 1 month
Fantastic Customer service and process. The only task that is left up to you is to sign. Everything else is done by them.
Read more
Latest review
Goboy1 , over 1 month
Fantastic Customer service and process. The only task that is left up to you is to sign. Everything else is done by them.
4.42 8 Reviews
Latest review
Happy Customer, over 1 month
Excellent product, respectful of property.
Read more
Latest review
Happy Customer, over 1 month
Excellent product, respectful of property.
4.41 523 Reviews
Latest review
Shaun Chaitan, 1 week ago
Everyone kept my informed and made the process very easy.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$19,000 ($3.80 per watt)
Latest review
Shaun Chaitan, 1 week ago
Everyone kept my informed and made the process very easy.
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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