3 Best Solar Companies in Oregon (2024)
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Oregon is frequently overcast, so you may not think it’s ideal for solar power. However, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reports that the Beaver State has invested $2.3 billion in solar in recent years, and it’s introduced several policies to encourage homeowners to go solar.
We researched more than 30 solar companies to see which providers offer the best products, pricing, and customer service in Oregon. We read hundreds of customer reviews, spoke to industry experts and customer service representatives, and surveyed homeowners about the factors most important to them. Check out our top recommendations for the best solar companies based on these findings below.
Compare Solar Companies Across OR
Oregon’s Top Solar Energy Companies
- SunPower: Best High-Efficiency System
- Blue Raven Solar: Most Reputable
- Tesla: Best Solar Tech
Our Picks for Solar Panel Installation in Oregon
SunPower
Best High-Efficiency System
Learn more: SunPower review
Learn more: Blue Raven Solar review
Learn more: Tesla review
Does Oregon Offer Solar Incentives?
Oregon has multiple incentives to make solar more affordable. It offers utility company rebates through Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power. Customers of these companies are eligible for Oregon’s solar electric incentive program, which pays you a rebate of $900–$1,220, depending on your provider. Salem Electric customers can also receive a rebate of $300 per kilowatt installed. More locally, the Water and Electric Board in Eugene, Oregon, will pay customers 40 cents per watt up to a $2,500 maximum.
Oregon solar customers who buy their solar panel system outright or take out a loan also qualify for the federal solar tax credit, known as the Residential Clean Energy Credit. This credit provides a deduction on your federal taxes equal to 30% of your solar panel installation costs. The 30% rate is available through 2032. It will drop to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034. It will end in 2035 unless Congress renews it again.
Oregon state law requires all utility companies to offer net-metering programs. Net-metering allows you to receive credit on your electric bills for the extra electricity your solar panels generate.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
We suggest considering the following factors when choosing a solar installation company.
Solar Services
Research each company’s product selection and services. Some companies only sell and install solar panels, while others offer solar batteries, inverters, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and additional accessories. Check whether a provider offers a mobile app or a convenient way to track your panels’ performance. Research any third-party partners, such as roofing companies or pest control experts if your home needs upgrades or repairs before installing solar panels. Some solar companies partner with these other service providers to ensure the best system performance.
Warranties
There are three main types of solar warranties:
- Manufacturer’s warranty: Sometimes called a product warranty, this protects the individual solar system components in case of defects.
- Workmanship warranty: Workmanship warranties cover installation in case of poor workmanship or faulty installation materials.
- Performance guarantee: A power production guarantee certifies the solar system’s output as outlined in your contract.
We recommend looking for 25-year warranties in each of these cases, though some providers limit their workmanship warranty to 10 years.
Payment Options
Most providers offer at least two of these solar financing options:
- Full purchase: Paying for your system up-front requires a large initial investment but will save you the most money since you won’t have to pay extra for interest rates.
- Loan: Solar loans are a good financing option if you prefer to make monthly payments but still want to eventually own your solar system. Keep in mind that you’ll ultimately pay more due to interest rates.
- Lease: Leases involve paying a monthly rate to rent your system. You won’t have to put any money down, but you won’t own your system or be able to access solar incentives to save money.
- Power purchase agreement (PPA): PPAs allow you to make monthly payments based on the energy you use, similar to an electricity bill. As with solar leases, you won’t own your system and are disqualified from cost-saving solar incentives.
We recommend opting for a full purchase or solar loan whenever possible. We only suggest a solar lease or PPA if you’re primarily interested in reducing your carbon footprint and don’t want to make a big investment.
Customer Support
Ensure that a company has numerous ways to contact customer support, whether via phone, email, or mobile app. We recommend calling each provider’s support number to get a feel for how knowledgeable and helpful its customer service team is. We also suggest reading online reviews and looking at customer ratings. Note both positives and negatives, looking for details about how the company resolved any issues and whether it honored its promises.
How To Get a Solar Quote in Oregon
Getting a solar quote is quick and easy. You can typically do this on a company’s website by looking for the Get a Quote button. You’ll often find this on the homepage’s top right corner. You’ll need to fill out a form that will likely ask for your location, home size, and basic contact information. Solar installers need to know your location and home size to determine how suitable your property is for solar energy.
You can also call the company if you prefer to speak with someone over the phone. You’ll simply give them the same information, and a representative will give you an estimate. This process took about 10 minutes when we called SunPower’s customer service team.
See our guide to solar panel costs to learn what reasonable pricing looks like for Oregon.
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Our Conclusion
Each of these providers scored high in our rankings for a reason. We recommend SunPower to those prioritizing high energy efficiency. Blue Raven Solar is a great option for those interested in getting 18 months of free solar energy, and Tesla is a good match for those needing battery storage, such as homeowners wanting to be fully off the grid.
We suggest reviewing numerous providers’ sites and customer reviews, speaking with representatives about any questions you have, and getting an online quote from at least three companies before deciding.
Other Oregon Home Service Resources
FAQ About Solar Companies in Oregon
Is it worth it to go solar in Oregon?
It can be with it to go solar in Oregon. Though solar panels cost more per watt in Oregon than other states, there are multiple incentives to help you save money. The state doesn’t get as much sun as southern states, but it gets enough to offset your electricity bills and reduce your environmental impact. Speak with a solar installer to learn about your estimated savings from going solar and decide if it’s worth it for you.
What is the best solar company?
There aren’t as many solar companies available in the state of Oregon as there are in sunnier states, but top providers include SunPower, Blue Raven, and Tesla.
Does Oregon have incentives for solar?
Yes, Oregon has incentives for solar. In addition to the federal tax credit, Oregon has state and rebates and net-metering programs.
What is the typical cost of solar panels in Oregon?
According to EnergySage, the typical cost of solar panels in Oregon is $15,100. This is before applying tax credits and rebates that will save you money.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for solar providers is on a 100-point system based on five factors:
- Payment options (40 points): Options include purchase, loan, lease, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Companies receive points for each of the four options they provide.
- Solar services (30 points): Does the company provide in-house installation of solar panels and battery backups? Can the company also monitor energy production and perform energy-efficiency audits to ensure system performance? The more options available, the higher the score.
- Warranty options (10 points): The success of a residential solar system depends on the workmanship, performance guarantees, and length of product coverage. The more warranties a company offers, the higher the score it receives.
- State availability (10 points): We award the most points to companies with the broadest service area and state availability.
- Reputation (10 points): We factor in how the Business Better Bureau (BBB) scores each company. We deduct points for any alerts or pending lawsuits.
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.