Northern Wasco County PUD and solar
Northern Wasco County PUD is a public power district serving about 9,773 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.)
- 7.9¢49% below Oregon average
- Typical bill
- $961,212 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- RetailFull retail net metering
- Typical payback
- Never6.2 kW, cash
Export rules for Northern Wasco County PUD 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 Northern Wasco County PUD home
| System | 6.2 kW (50% of 1,212 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $17,760 |
| First-year savings | $576 |
| Payback | never within 25 years |
| 25-year net | −$1,286 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- 34
- Share of customers
- 0.3%
- Residential solar capacity
- 0 MW
- Residential customers
- 9,773
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about Northern Wasco County PUD and solar
Does Northern Wasco County PUD have net metering?
Northern Wasco County PUD 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 Northern Wasco County PUD?
Residential customers paid an average of 7.9¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 7.9¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,212 kWh a month, a bill of about $96.
Is solar worth it with Northern Wasco County PUD?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 6.2 kW system costing about $17,760 does not pay back within 25 years, with −$1,286 net over 25 years.
How many Northern Wasco County PUD customers have solar?
About 34 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 0.3% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: Northern Wasco County PUD - (OR) (EIA ID 13788). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.