Over 18,000 homeowners across Oregon are making their own solar power. Join them to reduce your home’s impact on the environment and take control of your energy costs with clean, renewable energy from the sun.
Energy Trust incentives, Oregon rebates and federal tax credits could offset up to 50% of solar system costs. To get you started, we’ll connect you with a qualified solar trade ally contractor with proven expertise you can trust.
Also consider adding battery storage to your solar system. Solar + storage makes your more home resilient by providing backup power for your lights, refrigerator or other essentials during a power outage.
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Establish your eligibility.
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Get proposals from Energy Trust solar trade ally contractors.
Systems must be installed by an approved Energy Trust solar trade ally contractor. Self-installed systems do not qualify. We recommend that you get two or more bids so that you can compare and make the best choice for your home.
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Select your contractor.
Once you receive proposals from two or more contractors, the choice is yours. See our FAQ on choosing a solar trade ally and comparing bids. Your trade ally contractor will handle all the paperwork for your system, prior to installation. Your Energy Trust cash incentive will be paid directly to your contractor, who will deduct the incentive amount from your invoice, reducing the cost of your solar installation. Your trade ally can also help you apply for any other incentives you may be eligible for, like the Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate.
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Allow the professionals to install and verify your system.
Energy Trust helps protect your investment by reviewing the plans for your system before construction. Once it’s complete, we also verify that it meets our rigorous technical standards. In many cases, we will stop by in person to verify your system was installed properly.
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Claim your tax credits when you file your taxes.
Learn about federal residential energy credits.
Energy Trust incentives
Your Energy Trust cash incentive amount depends on your household income and your electric utility. Incentive offers are subject to funding availability and may change at any time. Check with your contractor.
| Your Utility | Incentive |
|---|---|
| Portland General Electric | $500 per project |
| Pacific Power | $500 per project |
Your solar electric system produces Renewable Energy Certificates as well as clean electricity. Read this fact sheet for more information on Renewable Energy Certificates for projects that receive an Energy Trust incentive.
Note: Energy Trust provides technical assistance and financial incentives but does not develop, sell or install energy systems or equipment. This work is done by independent businesses that are solely responsible for the quality and performance of their installations.
Additional solar options
- Solar + Storage provides backup power for your lights, refrigerator and other essentials during an outage.
- Solar Within Reach offers increased incentives for income-qualified households.
- Community solar offers subscription options if you rent, live in a condo or if your roof doesn’t have enough sun exposure.
- Considering building a new home with solar? Learn about EPS homes.
- Get tips on choosing a solar trade ally contractor and comparing bids.
- Attend a free educational workshop to learn more about solar.
- Use our solar calculator to estimate the benefits of solar.
- Learn how your electric bill is calculated with net metering.
- Learn about Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
Tax credits
A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the income tax you owe. You must pay taxes to claim the credit.
Consult your tax professional to learn how tax credits and rules may apply to you. This information does not constitute tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties.
Federal Residential Energy Credit: Covers 30% of the out-of-pocket cost of a solar or solar + storage systems installed by Dec. 31, 2032. You must claim this credit yourself. See the IRS form.
Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program
Oregon offers rebates to homeowners who install solar electric systems or paired solar + storage systems. Homeowners with low or moderate incomes qualify for higher rebates. The rebates are issued to approved contractors, who pass the savings on to their customers. Learn more about the Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program.
Home solar financing: weighing your solar financing options
There are several financing options available to help make installing solar electric systems more affordable.
Cash and loans
If you have the savings available, paying for your solar installation with cash will typically provide the highest return on investment and the quickest payback. A solar contractor can provide you a proposal with specific figures.
Many homeowners use a loan to pay for some or all of their solar project. The loan could come from your existing bank, a financial institution that offers solar-specific loans, your solar contractor or even from the equipment manufacturer. Some lenders will allow you to pay down your loan principal when you receive your tax credit. With a loan, you benefit from significantly reduced utility costs and own the system outright at the end of the loan term.
We recommend exploring multiple financing options to find the solution that best fits your needs and budget.
Leases and Power Purchase Agreements
With a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you pay little or nothing upfront and the system is installed, owned and maintained by a solar service provider. You make lease payments or purchase the electricity produced by the system on a monthly basis.
The rate you pay for the solar electricity may or may not be less than your current electricity rate. When your agreement ends, usually after 20 years, you have the option to remove the system, renew the agreement or purchase the system. If you move, there are usually options for buying out the system or transferring the agreement to the new homebuyer.
If you choose a lease or PPA, Energy Trust will pay the incentive to your solar service provider, and you’ll receive a more affordable lease or power purchase price.
The solar service provider owns the Renewable Energy Certificates produced by your solar electric system. Learn more about Renewable Energy Certificates.
Read this guide to solar leases and loans for more information about your financing options.
Need Help? Contact Us.
We’re here to explain the process and benefits. Call us at 1.877.777.4018 or send us an email at solar@energytrust.org.
