Is Solar Worth It in Portland, Oregon?
Portland, Oregon is well known for its long rainy winters which may lead many people to believe that solar doesn’t work here. What we lose in sunshine in the wintertime Portland make up for in the long and sunny summers. Year round, Portland has a solar resource equivalent to Germany, one of the world’s solar powerhouses.
In order to determine if installing solar panels in Portland, Oregon makes sense you need to take into account various factors, such as cost, incentives, and solar access.
The foremost thing that you must keep in mind is cost.
The price for solar panels in Portland comes around to $3.00 to $4.00 per watt. If you do your math right, to set up a typical solar panel system in a household with around 5-kilowatt capacity amounts to roughly $18,000.
Is Solar Worth It To Cut Down Trees?
The orientation of your roof and the amount of shading play a significant role in determining your Rate of Return. The best scenario to have in Portland Oregon is a south-facing roof sloping at an angle of 30 degrees with zero shading by trees, light poles, or other buildings.
Sometimes there will be a tree that reduces the solar access to your roof. To increase access, cutting the tree down is the only option. However, if the tree brings other benefits to you (cooling during summer, privacy, etc) it may not be worth it to cut it down. At Sunbridge Solar, we can provide you with quotes showing scenarios that include keeping the tree or removing the tree.
The best way to determine whether your home or business is suitable for solar is to request a free on-site evaluation with us at no obligation. Within a few days, you will know:
How much sunlight reaches your property
The maximum amount of solar energy you can generate
How much you will save monthly and yearly.
Is Solar Worth It After Federal Tax Incentives?
So how is solar worth it in Portland, Oregon? Thankfully, the federal government of the United States offers a major tax incentive to boost the use of solar panels and to propel the green revolution forward. There is a very attractive 26% solar tax credit offered to both commercial and residential customers.
Example of 26% Solar Tax Credit
For example, if you have $1,500 federal solar tax credit, you need to pay $1,500 less when you are paying your taxes. You just need to have sufficient tax liability to claim your rightfully earned credit. But in case you do not have sufficient tax liability, you needn’t worry either. You can always carry forward your remaining credit if any.
But the icing on the cake is actually Oregon’s net metering incentives program.
What is Net Energy Metering in Oregon?
The net metering incentives program allows household owners and small businesses that bank any excess energy credits their system may generate in the summertime. These credits can stored up on your bill. When your usage begins to exceed your solar production you can start to utilize your credits. Imagine a squirrel hiding nuts away for the winter time when food is scarce. It’s the same concept. When you are ready to utilize your energy credits the utility will credit your bill for the same value that you purchase electricity for.
PGE & Pacific Power Solar Incentives
The customers of Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power who’ve decided to install solar panels in their home to meet their energy demands are offered cash rebates. In order to qualify for the rebate, you must:
Ensure the contractors who have installed the solar panels in your home, are a part of Energy Trust of Oregon’s Trade Ally Network.
Your home must have enough solar access
However, you must be careful about one thing - their offers remain subject to changing market conditions and energy demands. Hence, it is always advisable to contact us for up-to-date rebate rates.
Is Solar Worth It to Finance?
Owning your own solar panels brings the most benefits to you. By financing and not leasing, you will receive all the cost-saving benefits of solar at a low-interest rate. Instead of splitting the savings with a leading solar company, you will earn 100%.
In case you need to move, our financing options are fully transferable to the next homeowner making your investment more flexible and easy to manage. We have a variety of financing options with local credit unions and will work with you to find the best solution. You can find out more by calling one of our local Solar Consultants at (360)313-7190.
So, is Solar Worth it to You?
At Sunbridge Solar, we offer free on-site solar consultations for your home or business. We provide you with all the information you need in a simple to understand quote at no-obligation to purchase. We will make sure solar is worth it to you as an investment. Experience freedom from rising electricity rates by going solar. Get started today!