The state of Oregon offers a wide variety of programs and policies dedicated to reducing carbon emissions. It’s considered one of the best states in the nation to go solar as it is almost unmatched in waste reduction and renewable energy production. This is great news for homeowners because Oregon solar incentives help offset the cost of solar system installation.
Here are some of the many Oregon solar incentives you can take advantage of when you install your rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system.
The Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit, formerly the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), is a federal incentive which allows homeowners to receive a credit for 30% of the cost of a new solar panel system, including solar batteries. Qualified system costs include equipment, labor, permitting, and sales tax. If you can’t claim the credit all at once, it will roll over from year to year until the incentive begins to phase out in 2033.
One of the largest Oregon solar incentives is the Oregon’s Solar + Storage Rebate Program, which covers a percentage of the cost of your solar system and solar battery. Depending on the size of your solar panel system, your income, and your eligibility for other incentives, the program will provide a rebate of up to $5,000 for your solar system and $2,500 for a battery.
This rebate is paid directly to the solar contractor installing your customized, rooftop solar panel system as long as they are approved by the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE). This means you won’t need to worry about paying the full amount out of pocket as the savings will reduce the total cost of your solar panel system.
Blue Raven Solar is proud to be an ODOE-approved solar installation contractor, and we are happy to apply the rebate to qualifying rooftop systems.
The Energy Trust of Oregon is a non-profit organization dedicated to getting the entire state of Oregon running on clean, affordable energy. To further this mission, the organization offers income-based incentives of up to $500 for adding a solar panel system to your home. Eligible homeowners can receive this rebate in addition to other solar rebates and incentives.
Two major Oregon power companies—Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power—are working to provide solar incentives for homeowners who adopt solar energy.
Portland General Electric customers are eligible for an up-front rebate of $1,200, and Pacific Power customers can claim up to $900 when they work with an approved Energy Trust solar contractor like Blue Raven Solar to install their system.
In addition to the available Oregon solar incentives and rebates, switching to solar also offers property tax benefits. Oregon law states a homeowner’s property tax will not increase after they install a solar panel system, allowing them to upgrade without concerns of higher taxes.
In Oregon, utility companies are legally obligated to provide net metering programs and policies, enabling homeowners to earn credits for surplus electricity generated by their rooftop systems and fed back into the utility grid. These credits can help offset the cost of electricity during cloudy periods when solar panels generate less energy.
Net metering credits are often enough to cover any kilowatt per hour charges on homeowners’ electric bills when they are on the utility grid. This means you can reduce your power bill, only paying the basic utility connection charges per month—far less than a standard electrical bill.
Depending on where you live in Oregon, there may be additional incentives offered by your city to further reduce the overall cost of your solar electric system.
The non-profit cooperative Salem Electric offers a number of solar incentives for Salem residents. These incentives apply to a broad range of energy efficiency efforts, including Energy Star appliances, electric cars, home weatherization, and a sizable incentive for installing a residential solar system. Homeowners can receive $300 per kW of solar capacity installed with a maximum of $1,500.
The city of Ashland is particularly dedicated to the shift to clean energy, offering financial incentives to encourage residents and businesses to install new solar systems. As of January 2023, solar installations which pass electrical inspection can receive incentive payments of $600 from the city for two years.
Similar to other region-specific incentives, the Water and Electric board for the city of Eugene offers a rebate of $400 per kW installed, up to $2,500.
The system must be installed by a State of Oregon-approved contractor, and homeowners are required to obtain and submit at least two solar system bids as an initial step to begin any residential solar project.
As an Oregon Department of Energy-approved solar contractor, Blue Raven Solar is an excellent partner when you’re trying to qualify for as many Oregon solar incentives as possible. We’re on a mission to make solar affordable for homeowners across the state of Oregon and the rest of the nation, regardless of energy goals, home size, or budget.
We make installing solar straightforward and hassle-free while also offering a number of payment options, ranging from cash to flexible financing. Our teams will walk you through the process step-by-step—from designing the optimal system for your home and energy needs to energization.
Our exclusive BluePower Plus+™ plan combines the best financing aspects of a third-party-owned solar lease, called a power purchase agreement (PPA), with the return and flexibility of solar ownership. With BluePower Plus+™ you can start solar ownership with 18 months of payments covered by us.
Whether you pay in full or use a financing program, our goal is to help you take advantage of as many incentives as possible to make the switch to solar more affordable. Owning your solar panel system is the best way to achieve this, but a leasing program may also offer benefits.
The state of Oregon offers many incentives to help you make the switch to renewable energy. This shows the state’s dedication to reducing society’s impact on the environment. At Blue Raven Solar, we’re here to make it easier for you to take advantage of Oregon solar incentives so your switch to solar power is simple and hassle-free.
If you would like to know more about how you can get started, contact us today.
If you’re wondering whether residential solar falls within your reach, a good place to start… Read More
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