What’s the Cost of Solar in Oregon?

Cost of Grid Power

Oregon's electricity prices average $0.11/kWh, below the national average of $0.14/kWh.

In 2018 hydroelectric accounted for over half of in-state power generation, with another third accounted for by natural gas. Two thirds of the state's hydroelectric power comes from dams along the Columbia River. The state is also leading the nation in large-scale hydrokinetic power plant development.

Cost of a Solar Install

The average cost of a 6kW (equivalent to saving almost _100_ trees a year) solar power system starts around $15,000 in Oregon. That system would pay for itself through energy savings with 6.2-7.6 years. System life can span well over 25 years, and savings will improve with inflation.

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What Incentives are Available in Oregon?

Data from DSIRE. For more info visit: https://www.dsireusa.org/

Name	Implementing Sector	Program Type	Administrator	DSIRE ID
Solar and Wind Easements & Rights Laws & Local Option Solar Rights Law	State	Solar/Wind Access Policy		4
Net Metering	State	Net Metering		39
Fuel Mix and Emissions Disclosure	State	Generation Disclosure		187
City of Eugene - Solar Standards	Local	Solar/Wind Access Policy		295
Large Scale Solar Electric Demonstration Project for Public and Non-profit Organizations	State	Rebate Program	The Energy Trust of Oregon	339
Portland - Solar Access Permit	Local	Solar/Wind Access Policy		471
Contractor Licensing	State	Solar/Wind Contractor Licensing		644
Interconnection Standards	State	Interconnection		802
EWEB - PV Eugene	Utility	Performance-Based Incentive	Eugene Water & Electric Board	1047
City of Ashland - Green Building Incentive	Local	Green Building Incentive	Ashland Electric Utilities Department	1996
Tax Credit for Renewable Energy Equipment Manufacturers	State	Industry Recruitment/Support		2771
Local Option - Local Improvement Districts	State	PACE Financing	Programs administered locally	3561
Solar Permitting Law	State	Solar/Wind Permitting Standards		4892
Renewable Energy Development Grant Program	State	Grant Program	Oregon Department of Energy	5305
Energy Conservation Tax Credits - Competitively-Selected Projects (Corporate)	State	Corporate Tax Credit	Oregon Department of Energy	5370
Energy Conservation Tax Credits - Competitively-Selected Projects (Personal)	State	Personal Tax Credit	Oregon Department of Energy	5371
Central Lincoln People's Utility District - Renewable Energy Incentive Program	Utility	Rebate Program	Central Lincoln People's Utility District	5377
Local Option - Rural Renewable Energy Development Zones	State	Property Tax Incentive	The Oregon Business Development Commission	5416
Ashland Electric Utility - Residential Conservation Rebate Program	Utility	Rebate Program	City of Ashland	5658
Emerald PUD - Solar Electric Program	Utility	Rebate Program		5775
SB 1149 Schools Program	State	Public Benefits Fund		5803
Self-Direction of Public Purpose Charges (LECPPP)	State	Public Benefits Fund		5837
Savings Within Reach	State	Rebate Program		5863
PGE Renewable Development Fund	Utility	Grant Program		5871
PGE Renewable Development Fund	Utility	Grant Program	Portland General Electric Co	5872
City of Ashland - Green Business Program	Local	Other	City of Ashland	14645
Columbia River PUD - Free Business Energy Evaluations	Utility	Energy Analysis	Columbia River PUD	14657
Energy Trust of Oregon - Equipment Upgrades and Retrofits	State	Energy Analysis	Energy Trust of Oregon	14668
Portland General Electric - Energy Classes	Utility	Training and Information	Portland General Electric	14719
McMinnville Water & Light -Commercial Energy Programs	Utility	Energy Analysis	McMinnville Water & Light	16141
Midstate Electric Cooperative - Energy Audits	Utility	Energy Analysis	Midstate Electric Cooperative	16142
Tillamook People's Utility District - Energy Efficiency Products and Services	Utility	Energy Analysis	Tillamook People's Utility District	16146
Eugene Water & Electric Board - EnergySmart Grocer Program	Utility	Energy Analysis	Eugene Water & Electric Board	16692
Springfield Utility Board - Industrial Incentives	Utility	Other	Springfield Utility Board	16695
Portland General Electric - Free Energy Consultation	Utility	Energy Analysis	Portland General Electric	16789
Energy Trust of Oregon - Solar for Your Business	State	Training and Information	Energy Trust of Oregon	17380
Blachly-Lane County Coop Electric Association - Net Metering	Other	Other	Blachly-Lane County Coop Electric Association	19423
Coos-Curry Electric Coop- Net Metering	Other	Other	Coos-Curry Electric Coop	19429
Wasco Electric Cooperative - Net Metering	Other	Other	Wasco Electric Cooperative	19443
Emerald PUD - Commercial Energy Programs	Utility	Energy Analysis	Emerald PUD	19547
Portland Energy Conservation - Grocery Programs	Non-Profit	Energy Analysis	CLEAResult	19637
Choice Energy - Renewable Wind Power	Utility	Other		20127
Portland General Electric - Choose Renewable	Utility	Energy Analysis	Portland General Electric	20993
Portland General Electric - Energy Monitoring	Utility	Energy Analysis	Portland General Electric	20994
Idaho Power - Green Power Program	Utility	Other	Idaho Power	21575
Idaho Power - FlexPeak Management	Utility	Energy Analysis	Idaho Power	21591
BetterBricks- Daylighting - Integrated Design Lab	Other	Energy Analysis	BetterBricks	21662
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance - Energy Training Calendar	Other	Training and Information	Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance	21663
Northwest Energy Education Institute - Energy Management Certification Programs	Other	Training and Information	Northwest Energy Education Institute	21664
Northwest Energy Education Institute - Energy Management Certificate	Other	Training and Information		21665
U.S. Department of Energy - Industrial Assessment Center (IAC): Oregon State University	Federal	Energy Analysis	U.S. Department of Energy	21691
Oregon Commercial Energy Efficiency Programs	State	Energy Analysis		21913
BetterBricks - Integrated Design Lab	State	Energy Analysis	Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA)	21926
Energy Trust of Oregon - Industrial and Agricultural Programs	Utility	Other	Energy Trust of Oregon	21979
West Oregon Electric Cooperative - Equal Pay (Net Metering)	Utility	Other	West Oregon Electric Cooperative	21980
Columbia River PUD - Save Energy at Work	Utility	Other	Columbia River PUD	21982
Bonneville Power Administration - Energy Efficiency Implementation Manual	Utility	Training and Information	Bonneville Power Administration	21984
Bonneville Power Administration - Energy Smart Industrial (ESI) program	Utility	Other	Bonneville Power Administration	21986
Idaho Power - Commercial/Industrial Training	Utility	Training and Information	Idaho Power	21987
Columbia River PUD - Solar PV Net Metering Rebate	Utility	Rebate Program		22109
Energy Storage Procurement Target	State	Energy Storage Target		22117

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Resources

• Oregon Public Utilities Commission (OPUC)
• Solar Oregon
• Oregon Department of Energy
• U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA): Oregon