UnbiasedSolar
Typical home: Close call

Is solar worth it in Oregon?

For a typical Oregon home in 2026, solar is a close call: about a 14.2-year payback and $22,387 saved over 25 years after paying for the system. Check your own home, because roofs, usage and utilities vary a lot.

Payback, typical home
14.2 yrs6.9 kW, paying cash
Electricity price
15.5¢per kWh, U.S. 18.0¢
Solar production
1,179kWh per kW per year
Exports credited at
RetailFull retail net metering

The numbers for a typical Oregon home

Electricity use848 kWh a month (Oregon average)
Best-value system6.9 kW, producing 8,136 kWh a year (80% of use)
Price$19,370 at about $2.80/W
First-year savings$1,261
Payback14.2 years
25-year net$22,387 (6.0% a year return)
Rate increase assumed3.8% a year, from Oregon's 2015–2025 history

Paying cash, no federal credit, 5% discount rate, microinverters, $25 per kW a year for maintenance and repairs. Methodology.

Why it comes out this way

  • Electricity costs 15.5¢ per kWh, close to the U.S. average of 18.0¢.
  • Most utilities credit exported solar at or near the retail rate, so you get full value for midday surplus.
  • A typical system here produces about 1,179 kWh per kW per year (ranked #49 of 51).
  • There is no federal tax credit for homeowners who buy in 2026, which adds several years to payback compared with 2025.
Watch out for leases right now. Lease and PPA providers can still claim a federal credit that homeowners can't, so they're being pushed hard. Compare any lease against buying with our lease vs. buy calculator.

Net metering and export rules in Oregon

Full retail net metering. Oregon's big utilities (PGE, Pacific Power, Idaho Power) offer true 1:1 net metering. Extra credits roll forward month to month, but anything left at the annual true-up is donated to low-income assistance rather than paid out.

Exports credited 1:1 in kWh at the full retail rate.

  • Netting: annual
  • Unused credits: kWh credits roll over monthly; at the annual true-up (March/April billing cycle) unused credits are granted to the utility's low-income assistance program (no cash-out).
  • System size limit: 25 kW
  • Fixed charges: Standard basic charge; minimum bill applies. No solar-specific fee at IOUs.
  • Last major change: ORS 757.300 (1999, expanded 2007); OPUC rulemaking AR 659 updating Divisions 39/82 (2023-2025).
  • Pending: OPUC AR 659 interconnection/net metering rule updates (outcome not verified); 2025 HB 2656 'Strengthening Net Metering' (status not verified).

Read net metering explained to see why export rules can swing payback by years.

Rules by utility
UtilityExport creditNotes
Portland General Electric15¢/kWh1:1 net metering, annual true-up; unused credit donated to low-income programs.
Pacific Power (PacifiCorp) - Oregon14¢/kWh1:1 net metering, annual true-up with March billing cycle.
Idaho Power - Oregon~100% of retailSmall Oregon service territory; 1:1 net metering.

Solar incentives in Oregon

The federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. What that means.

ProgramTypeWhat you getStatus
Energy Trust of Oregon solar incentiverebatePer-home solar incentive: $3,500 for PGE customers, $2,500 for Pacific Power customers (min 2 kW-DC). Rates step down quarterly in 2026; subject to funding. Eligibility: PGE or Pacific Power residential customers using an Energy Trust trade ally.active
Energy Trust battery storage incentivebattery incentivePGE: $400/kWh up to $5,000; Pacific Power: $240/kWh up to $3,000 (min 3 kWh, paired with qualifying solar). Eligibility: Paired with Energy Trust-qualifying solar.active
Energy Trust Solar Within Reachlow incomeIncreased solar incentives for income-qualified PGE/Pacific Power households (amounts not verified). Eligibility: Income-qualified households.active
Property tax exemption for renewable energy systemsproperty tax exemptionAdded value of solar is exempt from property tax (ORS 307.175); sunset date has been extended repeatedly - verify current sunset. Eligibility: Residential and commercial.active

Ended programs: Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE).

What solar costs in Oregon

A fair cash price is around $2.80 per watt before incentives. For the 6.9 kW system that fits a typical home, expect roughly $16,400 to $23,200; smaller systems cost more per watt.

Public installation records (LBNL Tracking the Sun and state data, 413 owned systems since 2024) show a median of $3.59/W, with the middle half between $2.99 and $4.59. These prices include loan dealer fees, which is why cash quotes are often lower.

Solar costs in every state · What's a good price per watt?

Average residential electricity price in Oregon (¢/kWh)

EIA annual averages. Prices rose 3.8% a year from 2015 to 2025; Oregon ranks #27 of 51 for price. Last 12 months through July 2026: 15.5¢.

Show as a table
PeriodValue
'129.8
'139.9
'1410.5
'1510.7
'1610.7
'1710.7
'1811.0
'1911.0
'2011.2
'2111.4
'2211.4
'2312.7
'2414.7
'2515.5
Monthly production per kW of solar in Oregon

kWh per kW for a south-facing roof at a 20° tilt, population-weighted across 27 cities (PVWatts, NLR). Total 1,179 kWh a year.

Show as a table
PeriodValue
Jan43
Feb59
Mar92
Apr113
May136
Jun139
Jul162
Aug145
Sep121
Oct82
Nov48
Dec38

How many homes have solar

Homes with net-metered solar (2025)
61,540
Share of homes
3.2%
Residential solar capacity
436 MW
Growth over the past year
+15.2%

Sources: EIA-861 (2025), EIA small-scale solar estimates, LBNL Tracking the Sun and state interconnection data.

Electric utilities in Oregon

UtilityHomes servedPrice (2026 est.)Typical useTypical-home verdict
Portland General Electric840,45718.8¢753 kWh/moWorth it
PacifiCorp (Rocky Mountain Power / Pacific Power)552,75614.7¢816 kWh/moNot worth it
City of Eugene90,39514.3¢871 kWh/moClose call
Central Lincoln People's Ut Dt36,11311.4¢975 kWh/moNot worth it
Central Electric Cooperative35,38510.5¢1,296 kWh/moNot worth it
City of Springfield30,2128.4¢1,019 kWh/moNot worth it
Oregon Trail El Cons Cooperative25,99511.0¢1,001 kWh/moNot worth it
Tillamook Peoples Utility Dist20,26312.7¢1,007 kWh/moClose call
Emerald People's Utility Dist19,94611.6¢1,239 kWh/moNot worth it
Consumers Power18,92113.9¢1,161 kWh/moClose call
Midstate Electric Cooperative18,87511.9¢1,256 kWh/moNot worth it
Salem Electric18,49910.9¢874 kWh/moNot worth it
City of McMinnville17,6667.8¢970 kWh/moNot worth it
Columbia River Peoples Ut Dist16,4309.8¢1,160 kWh/moNot worth it
Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative15,85414.0¢950 kWh/moClose call
Idaho Power14,17912.6¢904 kWh/moNot worth it
Umatilla Electric Cooperative Association12,78410.1¢1,191 kWh/moNot worth it
Lane Electric Cooperative12,46313.4¢1,259 kWh/moClose call
City of Forest Grove10,48410.7¢965 kWh/moNot worth it
Northern Wasco County PUD9,7737.9¢1,212 kWh/moNot worth it

Solar by city in Oregon

Protect yourself when buying

  • Check the license. Oregon CCB contractor license; electrical work requires BCD electrical license, with a specialty Limited Renewable Energy Technician (LRT) license available for PV. Look up an installer
  • Cancellation rights. Federal law gives you 3 business days to cancel most door-to-door sales over $25. How to cancel
  • HOA and solar access. Yes - ORS 105.880 bars planned communities/condo associations from prohibiting solar (reasonable restrictions allowed); solar easements available.
  • Community solar. Yes - Oregon Community Solar Program (PGE, Pacific Power, Idaho Power territories).

Installers active in Oregon

Ranked by installations in public records, not by payment. Volume isn't quality: always check licenses and reviews.

  1. Tesla Energy 315 installs
  2. True South Solar 305 installs
  3. National Solar 270 installs
  4. Advanced Energy System 263 installs
  5. Energy Design 253 installs
  6. Green Store 195 installs
  7. Abundant Solar 182 installs
  8. Sunlight Solar Energy 167 installs
  9. Sunshine Solar 152 installs
  10. Blue Raven Solar 119 installs · acquired
  11. E2 Solar 118 installs
  12. Benton Electric 102 installs
  13. Earthlight Technologies 77 installs
  14. Green Ridge Solar 74 installs
  15. Elemental Energy 73 installs

Search all Oregon installers

More about solar in OregonAnnual true-up with no cash-out means oversizing yields no value. Oregon residential state tax credit (RETC) expired 2017. PacifiCorp WA (not OR) is moving to net billing. Federal 25D residential clean energy credit is NOT available for homeowner-owned systems placed in service after 2025-12-31 (OBBBA, July 2025); third-party-owned (lease/PPA) systems may still benefit indirectly via 48E through 2027. EPA tried to end Solar for All grants in August 2025, but federal courts set that aside in September 2026; check whether your state's program has resumed.

Questions about solar in Oregon

Is solar worth it in Oregon in 2026?

For a typical Oregon home, solar is a close call. A 6.9 kW system costing about $19,370 after state incentives saves about $1,261 in the first year and pays back in about 14.2 years. Your result depends on your roof, usage, utility and price, so run the calculator for your address.

How much do solar panels cost in Oregon?

A reasonable cash price is around $2.80 per watt before incentives, or roughly $16,400 to $23,200 for a 6.9 kW system. Public installation records for Oregon show a recent median of $3.59/W, which often includes loan dealer fees.

Does Oregon have net metering?

Oregon's big utilities (PGE, Pacific Power, Idaho Power) offer true 1:1 net metering. Extra credits roll forward month to month, but anything left at the annual true-up is donated to low-income assistance rather than paid out.

Is there a solar tax credit in Oregon?

The 30% federal credit for homeowners ended for systems installed after 2025. Oregon does not offer a state income tax credit for solar that we're aware of. Solar may be exempt from property tax.

How do I check a solar installer's license in Oregon?

Oregon CCB contractor license; electrical work requires BCD electrical license, with a specialty Limited Renewable Energy Technician (LRT) license available for PV.. Look up any installer with the state's license search at https://search.ccb.state.or.us/search/.

Policy research current as of October 2026; sources include oregon.gov, programs.dsireusa.org. Electricity data: EIA, through July 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.