What You Should Know About Solar Power in Oregon
Updated On November 8, 2021 | by Alex Smith
About 1.3% of the electricity consumed in Oregon was solar power. Oregon’s solar production grew five-fold from 2015 through 2019. While solar power is growing, it’s still a new trend in Oregon.
If you own a home in Oregon, then you can be at the forefront of this trend by installing solar panels on your home. There are several benefits, and the installation process is simple.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about adding solar power to your Oregon home.
Also Read: How to Buy Water Resistant Watches
Grid-Tied vs. Off-Grid Systems
Your home solar power system will be grid-tied if your home is already tied to the local energy utility grid. The solar system will reduce your energy costs and provide you with backup power when there is an outage.
If your system produces more energy than what you use in a month, it gets credited to your account. Then when your energy production isn’t enough, the energy company will pull credits from your solar power bank. If your system never produces more than you use, you’ll pay the difference each month.
Off-grid systems are typically reserved for homes that are very remote where utility services aren’t offered. The system will charge a solar power battery that powers your home.
Oregon Solar Compatibility
You’ll find that the weather and amount of sunlight in Oregon are perfect for solar panels. While sunlight is the most efficient at charging them, you can still generate energy when it’s cloudy or overcast. Summertime is the most productive time for solar panels, but you’ll still get a decent generation in winter.
You don’t have to worry about your solar panels getting too hot in Oregon.
The Installation Process
When you work with a reputable solar installer, such as Blue Raven Solar, they will do all of the work for you. They will recommend the best quality solar panels for the greatest energy production. They will also ensure the panels get installed correctly and at the right angle for maximum sunlight exposure.
Solar Tax Credits
Oregon offers a rebate program for solar and storage installations. It’s on a first-come, first-served basis, so the sooner you install your system and apply, the better for you to qualify. To qualify, you must install a solar and storage system by an ODOE-approved contractor.
The rebate gets awarded to the contractor installing the system. It then gets passed onto the customer in the form of savings on the net cost of system installation.
There’s also a federal solar tax credit that can enable you to deduct up to 26% of the cost of your solar system. This credit is in effect until the end of 2022; it then reduces to 22% in 2023.
Install a Solar Power System
As you can see, there’s no better time than the present to consider a solar power installation. You can take advantage of state and federal tax credits. Then once your system is installed, you can enjoy lower energy costs.
Browse our other articles and learn about how sunlight affects more than just your energy production.
