About This Guide
Like many people here in Oregon, you may be thinking about adding solar panels to your home.
In this newly updated guide, we cover all the details you need to get started, including incentives and next steps.
...Read on!
In this newly updated guide, we cover all the details you need to get started, including incentives and next steps.
...Read on!
2020 Solar Incentives for Your Home in Oregon
Net Metering: Why Solar Can Work With Rainy Winters
Solar energy works incredibly well in the rainy areas of Oregon and Washington. This is due, in part, to a clever legal solar incentive called "net metering."
Under a net metering agreement, you will use any solar electricity that you need at your home, first. Then, when you generate more power than you use, your utility will credit your account --- at the same rate they normally charge you (this is true of PGE and Pacific Power, other utilities could be utilizing other rates)!
This makes solar energy an excellent fit here in Oregon and Washington because our long, sunny summer days are excellent for generating power. Most home owners significantly over-produce power during the summer and then automatically use the extra credits they earn during the winter and fall.
Your solar credits are managed automatically by the utility, so there is no extra effort required on your part.
Also, contrary to popular belief, solar panels on your home do work when skies are cloudy. They do not produce as much power, of course, but even small bursts of sun can give your winter generation a significant boost.
When a solar panel system is sized correctly for your home, it is even possible to off-set most of your annual costs! However, you may wish to design a solar installation that maximizes your return on investment. This requires additional solar energy incentives, which we will cover in detail, next.
Under a net metering agreement, you will use any solar electricity that you need at your home, first. Then, when you generate more power than you use, your utility will credit your account --- at the same rate they normally charge you (this is true of PGE and Pacific Power, other utilities could be utilizing other rates)!
This makes solar energy an excellent fit here in Oregon and Washington because our long, sunny summer days are excellent for generating power. Most home owners significantly over-produce power during the summer and then automatically use the extra credits they earn during the winter and fall.
Your solar credits are managed automatically by the utility, so there is no extra effort required on your part.
Also, contrary to popular belief, solar panels on your home do work when skies are cloudy. They do not produce as much power, of course, but even small bursts of sun can give your winter generation a significant boost.
When a solar panel system is sized correctly for your home, it is even possible to off-set most of your annual costs! However, you may wish to design a solar installation that maximizes your return on investment. This requires additional solar energy incentives, which we will cover in detail, next.
The Federal Solar Tax Credit
The federal government offers a tax credit that covers 26% of your total solar installation costs, including parts and labor.
This tax credit can be taken in the same year you install panels on your home and it is easy to claim. You must first subtract your utility cash incentive from the total amount, however.
It is important to note that the federal tax credit program is ending. In order to take advantage of the full 26% rate, you must install a solar energy system before January 1st, 2021.
Here are the scheduled changes you can expect as you plan your solar energy investment:
This tax credit can be taken in the same year you install panels on your home and it is easy to claim. You must first subtract your utility cash incentive from the total amount, however.
It is important to note that the federal tax credit program is ending. In order to take advantage of the full 26% rate, you must install a solar energy system before January 1st, 2021.
Here are the scheduled changes you can expect as you plan your solar energy investment:
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FEDERAL SOLAR TAX CREDIT RATES:
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-- 26% Tax Credit: 2020 Present |
Energy Trust of Oregon Cash Incentive
For PGE and Pacific Power Customers ONLY
In addition to tax credits, there are cash incentives offered by PGE and Pacific Power. These cash incentives are funded by a small charge on every rate-payer’s monthly bills.
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CURRENT ENERGY TRUST INCENTIVE RATES:
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Portland General Electric: |
*The Solar Within Reach program is subject to income eligibility requirements. Please go to the Energy Trust of Oregon "Solar Within Reach" page to learn more about if you can qualify for this program.
How Does the Energy Trust of Oregon Cash Incentive Work?
The Energy Trust Incentive is only available to PGE and Pacific Power Customers. The nonprofit administrator for these cash incentives is called the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO).
If you are a customer of Portland General Electric or Pacific Power, and you install solar on your house or property, you may be eligible. Ground-mounted solar arrays can qualify as well.
However, you must first confirm a 75% (or better) solar window at your home. You must also work with an Energy Trust Trade Ally contractor, like us here at Synchro Solar.
Confirming your solar energy window (also called your Total Solar Resource Fraction or TSRF) requires a free site visit.
At this free, easy evaluation, one of our technicians will visit your home and analyze the angle and direction of your roof, the shading of your solar energy site and other important factors. Your TSRF can then be calculated, often before our technicians depart.
If you are a customer of Portland General Electric or Pacific Power, and you install solar on your house or property, you may be eligible. Ground-mounted solar arrays can qualify as well.
However, you must first confirm a 75% (or better) solar window at your home. You must also work with an Energy Trust Trade Ally contractor, like us here at Synchro Solar.
Confirming your solar energy window (also called your Total Solar Resource Fraction or TSRF) requires a free site visit.
At this free, easy evaluation, one of our technicians will visit your home and analyze the angle and direction of your roof, the shading of your solar energy site and other important factors. Your TSRF can then be calculated, often before our technicians depart.
There are significant additional details to consider about the cash incentive, including scheduled decreases in incentive amounts throughout the year.
There are significant additional details to consider about the cash incentive, including scheduled decreases in incentive amounts throughout the year.
Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE)
This a new incentive program that is from the state. Funds are quite limited and it is a first come first served incentive rebate paid directly to contractors then passed on to customers. Typically if you are not a PGE or Pacific Power utility customer you would not qualify for any incentives other than the Federal Tax Credit, but as of this year ODOE has announced this program. This program also has a low or moderate income funding pool that is specifically designated for families or individuals within those income ranges.
As of right now for Solar Electric System incentives are calculated as such:**
(1) Low- or moderate- income residential rebate rate: $1.80 per watt DC of installed capacity, up to 60 percent of the net cost or $5,000, whichever is less.
(2) Residential rebate rate for customers eligible for an electric utility incentive and not low- or moderate-income: $0.20 per watt DC of installed capacity, up to 40 percent of the net cost or $5,000, whichever is less.
(3) Residential rebate rate for customers not eligible for a utility incentive and not low- or moderate-income: $0.50 per watt DC of installed capacity, up to 40 percent of the net cost or $5,000, whichever is less.
For Storage System Rebates incentives are calculated as such:**
(1) Low- or moderate-income residential customer rebate rate: $300 per kilowatt hour of installed storage capacity, up to 60 percent of net energy storage system cost or $2,500, whichever is less.
(2) Residential rebate rate for residential customers who are not low- or moderate-income: $300 per kilowatt hour of installed storage capacity, up to 40 percent of net energy storage system cost or $2,500, whichever is less.
(3) Low-income service provider rebate rate: $300 per kilowatt hour of installed storage capacity, up to 60 percent of net energy storage system cost or $15,000, whichever is less.
**Calculation methods directly copied from "Administrative Rules from the ODOE"
As of right now for Solar Electric System incentives are calculated as such:**
(1) Low- or moderate- income residential rebate rate: $1.80 per watt DC of installed capacity, up to 60 percent of the net cost or $5,000, whichever is less.
(2) Residential rebate rate for customers eligible for an electric utility incentive and not low- or moderate-income: $0.20 per watt DC of installed capacity, up to 40 percent of the net cost or $5,000, whichever is less.
(3) Residential rebate rate for customers not eligible for a utility incentive and not low- or moderate-income: $0.50 per watt DC of installed capacity, up to 40 percent of the net cost or $5,000, whichever is less.
For Storage System Rebates incentives are calculated as such:**
(1) Low- or moderate-income residential customer rebate rate: $300 per kilowatt hour of installed storage capacity, up to 60 percent of net energy storage system cost or $2,500, whichever is less.
(2) Residential rebate rate for residential customers who are not low- or moderate-income: $300 per kilowatt hour of installed storage capacity, up to 40 percent of net energy storage system cost or $2,500, whichever is less.
(3) Low-income service provider rebate rate: $300 per kilowatt hour of installed storage capacity, up to 60 percent of net energy storage system cost or $15,000, whichever is less.
**Calculation methods directly copied from "Administrative Rules from the ODOE"
What Is the Cost of Solar Maintenance?
High quality solar panels require almost zero maintenance. They are extremely reliable and feature extremely long warranty periods.
High-quality solar panels like the ones we use here at Synchro are warrantied for 25-30 years, in fact.
Solar panel warranties also guarantee a minimum amount of power for the entire term of the warranty. This ensures your solar energy investment does not just continue to work, it continues to work well.
In addition, solar energy systems are expected to outlast their warranty periods and can stand the impact of significant force! They are rated to withstand powerful hail storms and can easily withstand an occasional hit from the neighborhood baseball game.
High-quality solar panels like the ones we use here at Synchro are warrantied for 25-30 years, in fact.
Solar panel warranties also guarantee a minimum amount of power for the entire term of the warranty. This ensures your solar energy investment does not just continue to work, it continues to work well.
In addition, solar energy systems are expected to outlast their warranty periods and can stand the impact of significant force! They are rated to withstand powerful hail storms and can easily withstand an occasional hit from the neighborhood baseball game.
Confusing right...
Yes, the current incentive environment is quite confusing, but there are quite a few opportunities. As of right now if you/family can qualify for any of the income based incentives your system will drastically cost much less than a typical system cost. Even if you do not qualify for that, the new State Incentive really helps, but please remember that this incentive is First Come First Served Incentive and the pool for the non low or moderate income residential customers is going fast.
It's very important that you are in talks with your solar contractor to help you navigate what types of incentives you would be eligible for and be the first in line for those incentives. Both Energy Trust of Oregon and Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE) are subject to running out of funds.
So give us a call so we can discuss your options!
It's very important that you are in talks with your solar contractor to help you navigate what types of incentives you would be eligible for and be the first in line for those incentives. Both Energy Trust of Oregon and Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE) are subject to running out of funds.
So give us a call so we can discuss your options!
503-208-4786
Here at Synchro Solar, we enjoy giving simple, straight answers to common questions. We also believe in education and customer empowerment, so we never try to "sell" you on something you aren't ready to consider. Calling us is safe, informative and hassle-free.
What Are the Steps to Going Solar?
Great question! Take a look at our Steps to Going Solar article to learn more about moving forward.
We are mainly focused in the Portland Metro area, but do not worry we are able to install all over Oregon and Washington just give us a call or fill out our contact form at www.synchrosolar.com/contact-us.html
We are mainly focused in the Portland Metro area, but do not worry we are able to install all over Oregon and Washington just give us a call or fill out our contact form at www.synchrosolar.com/contact-us.html
