When it comes to solar, last year’s facts are this year’s fiction. The
solar industry changes at a rapid pace, leaving prospective solar
buyers reading old news when trying to make a decision. This can
often get in the way of Oregonians making well-informed choices
about their solar energy needs. To ensure you get the best possible
solar education, we’re going to look at the primary reasons why more
and more people have decided that solar is worth it in Oregon.
Does Solar Work In Oregon?
Despite the cloudy weather, solar power is increasingly becoming more
popular with Oregonians. Germany leads the world in solar power
production, yet it’s slightly cloudier than it is here in Oregon. Much like
Germany, we benefit from long summer days with mild temperatures,
which are ideal conditions for maximum solar production.
What is Net Energy Metering?
Typically, utility companies only need to keep track of the amount of
energy you consume on a monthly basis. When you go solar, your
utility company needs to keep track of the amount of energy you
produce on a monthly basis. With Net Energy Metering, your utility
company can keep track of both. At the end of the month, your power
company will subtract the amount of energy you produce from the
amount of energy you consume, reducing your monthly power bill. Any
additional energy credits you store up will be carried over to your next
month’s bill throughout the year.
Each kilowatt-hour of energy you produce is equivalent to the retail
market value of a kilowatt-hour of energy you purchase from your
utility company. You can literally save up energy credits in the form of
solar power created during the longer days of summer and then use
them during the shorter days of winter.
The Cost Of Electricity
Retail electricity rates have risen across the Pacific Northwest by 30%
in the last 10 years. The trend of utility companies continuing to raise
electricity rates is unlikely to change in the near future. Switching to
solar allows you to lock in a fixed energy payment.
The Cost Of Solar
An average-sized residential system has dropped from the (preincentive) price of $40,000 to about $18,000 since 2010. That’s a
decrease of over 55% in the span of 10 years.
25-Year Service Warranty
Our systems come with a 25-year warranty on all materials and
services performed. Any required repairs will be performed at our
expense. This is in addition to all of our manufacturer’s warranties.
Solar Incentives
Solar electric systems qualify for a wide variety of federal and state
solar incentives, reducing the overall cost of a residential system by an
average of $5,790.
Home Resale Value
According to Zillow, homes with solar energy sold for nearly 3% more
than comparable homes without. That means an average home with
solar in the United States sells for an additional $9,274.
