Do Clark County PUD Customers Get Solar Incentives?
Yes. The primary financial incentive Clark Public Utilities (PUD) offers its customers is its Solar Net Metering Program. While this isn’t a traditional, one-time cash rebate, it’s a powerful and ongoing incentive that dramatically reduces your electricity costs and is the key to making solar a fantastic investment in Clark County.
As Oregon and Washington’s top-rated solar installation experts with over 15 years of experience, we at Sunbridge Solar believe in transparency. Instead of a one-time check, Clark PUD provides continuous value by crediting you for every bit of excess power you generate. When you pair this with the other major incentives available, going solar becomes one of the smartest financial decisions a homeowner can make. Let’s explore how these programs work together to your benefit.
1. Clark PUD Net Metering: The Core Local Incentive
(Local Incentive)
Think of net metering as a savings account for energy. As your solar panels soak up the Washington sun, perhaps while you’re enjoying a walk along the Grant Street Pier or visiting Fort Vancouver, they are often producing more electricity than your home needs.
- How It Works: This surplus energy isn’t wasted. It flows back into the Clark PUD grid, and the utility gives you a full, 1-for-1 credit for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) you send them.
- The Benefit: At night or on cloudy days, you draw power from the grid just like you do now. However, Clark PUD applies your banked credits to your bill, offsetting the cost of the energy you use. This simple process is what leads to drastically lower or even eliminated monthly electric bills.
Our team at Sunbridge Solar are experts in the PUD interconnection process and handle all the necessary agreements and paperwork, making your transition to solar completely hassle-free.
2. The federal solar tax credit, what changed in 2026
(Federal, no longer available for homes)
For years the federal solar tax credit was the single biggest lever on the cost of a home system. That changed on January 1, 2026. The residential clean energy credit under Section 25D was terminated for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so Vancouver and Clark County homeowners installing today cannot claim it. We are leaving this section in place rather than quietly deleting it, because a lot of solar marketing still leads with a number that no longer exists.
- Example: If your system costs $25,000, this incentive saves you $7,500 directly on the federal taxes you owe.
Federal residential tax credit: no longer available. Section 25D was terminated for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025.
What replaced it for Clark County homeowners: Washington’s 100% sales and use tax exemption, which applies to the entire turnkey installation (panels, inverters, racking, labor and battery backup) and runs through December 31, 2029. Combined with Clark PUD net metering, that is the current incentive picture.
If you have seen guidance saying this credit runs through 2032, that was true under the old law and is not true now. What Clark County homeowners still have is Washington’s 100% sales and use tax exemption (available through December 31, 2029 and covering both equipment and installation labor) plus Clark PUD net metering. See our guide to the Washington sales tax exemption.
Your Return on Investment (ROI) in Clark County
Going solar isn’t just about being environmentally conscious; it’s a proven financial strategy that boosts your home’s value and locks in predictable energy costs for decades. With our typical 2-3 day installation time, those savings start right away.
This sample ROI table shows a typical 7kW residential solar system in Clark County. Your specific numbers will vary based on energy use and system design.
| Metric | Estimated value | Details |
| Average gross system cost | $24,500 (illustrative) | Based on a typical 7 kW system in the area. |
| Federal tax credit | Not available | Section 25D ended for residential systems after 31 Dec 2025. |
| WA sales & use tax exemption | 100% of sales tax | Applies to equipment and installation labor. Available through 31 Dec 2029. |
| Clark PUD net metering | Ongoing bill credits | Excess generation credited against later usage. |
Disclaimer: This table is for illustrative purposes. Sunbridge Solar provides a free, no-obligation consultation with a precise and personalized estimate based on your home and energy needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Clark PUD give you a check for going solar?
No. Clark PUD does not offer a direct cash rebate. Instead it provides the ongoing benefit of net metering, where you receive bill credits for excess solar energy you send to the grid. Over the life of a system, that continuous saving is often worth more than a one-time rebate.
What are the best solar incentives for a homeowner in Vancouver, WA?
As of 2026 there are two: Washington’s 100% sales and use tax exemption, which removes all state and local sales tax from equipment and installation labor through December 31, 2029, and Clark PUD net metering. The 30% federal residential tax credit is no longer among them, it ended after 2025.
Can I still get a tax credit if I add a battery backup?
Not a federal residential one. Section 25D previously covered storage systems of 3 kWh or larger alongside the panels, but that credit ended for residential systems placed in service after December 31, 2025. Washington’s sales tax exemption does still apply to battery storage as part of a qualifying installation, so a resilient solar-plus-battery system remains meaningfully cheaper than the sticker price. Businesses are treated differently and may still qualify under Section 48E.
Secure Your Energy Future Today
From Battle Ground to Camas, your neighbors are choosing energy independence and long-term savings. With powerful financial incentives available right now and Sunbridge Solar’s 10-year craftsmanship and 25-year product warranties, the time to act is now.
Don’t wait. Lock in your savings and take the first step towards a brighter, cleaner energy future.
Ready for a personalized quote?
Fill out our free, no-obligation consultation form today!
Or call our friendly solar experts directly at 360-313-7190.
