Best 4 Solar Companies in Grants Pass, OR

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Grants Pass

The more comprehensive your company research is, the better your solar panels will ultimately operate. Make your choice based on the following essential elements.

Licensing and Training

Solar companies in Oregon must be licensed and bonded according to the terms of the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. For PV installations, each standard journeyman on the job will have at least 8,000 hours of hands-on experience and be subject to continuing education requirements. Installers of solar thermal systems must be either a plumbing journeyman and a licensed solar heating installer. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most respected are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, awarded by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Grants Pass

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but start at a more budget-friendly price point. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

Additional accessories, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will add to your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar companies offer these optional components, so look for a provider that sells them if it's a priority for you.

Generally speaking, it costs about $17,500 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Grants Pass. This table shows more specific pricing information for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Grants Pass

There are many ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will lower your costs. A few of the most common options include leases, cash payments, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and loans. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most economical choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the next best option. As with a car loan or mortgage, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for money-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly fee to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally advise against these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be suitable in specific circumstances. We advise working with a contractor that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each consultant about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your financial plan.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Grants Pass.

You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, utilities and local governments may have their own financing plans and rebates that could reduce your total cost even more.