Emerald People's Utility Dist and solar
Emerald People's Utility Dist is a public power district serving about 19,946 homes in Oregon. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is not worth it.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 11.6¢25% below Oregon average
- Typical bill
- $1431,239 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- RetailFull retail net metering
- Typical payback
- 18.7 yrs6.3 kW, cash
Export rules for Emerald People's Utility Dist customers
Full retail net metering (Oregon rule).
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.
Solar for a typical Emerald People's Utility Dist home
| System | 6.3 kW (50% of 1,239 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $17,990 |
| First-year savings | $860 |
| Payback | 18.7 years |
| 25-year net | $9,107 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- 262
- Share of customers
- 1.3%
- Residential solar capacity
- 2 MW
- Residential customers
- 19,946
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about Emerald People's Utility Dist and solar
Does Emerald People's Utility Dist have net metering?
Emerald People's Utility Dist follows Oregon's rules: 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.
How much does electricity cost with Emerald People's Utility Dist?
Residential customers paid an average of 11.5¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 11.6¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,239 kWh a month, a bill of about $143.
Is solar worth it with Emerald People's Utility Dist?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 6.3 kW system costing about $17,990 pays back in about 18.7 years, with $9,107 net over 25 years.
How many Emerald People's Utility Dist customers have solar?
About 262 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 1.3% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: Emerald People's Utility Dist (EIA ID 40437). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.