Gresham Solar: Is It Worth It?

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Gresham Solar Guide for Homeowners and Business Owners

A part of the Greater Portland Metropolitan area, Gresham is an excellent place to invest in solar energy. Both homeowners and business owners can benefit in many ways from adding solar energy systems to their properties.

At Sunbridge Solar, we want you to be able to make this investment confidently. That’s why we are providing details about the solar process for specific locations, with the focus of this article being beautiful Gresham, Oregon.

Solar Panels for Gresham Homes

Solar energy for your home can add value in many ways, such as by drastically reducing your energy costs, offsetting much of your carbon footprint, and even by increasing the value of your home – by an average of $14,000!

How Many Panels Do I Need?

Generally speaking, a 5 kW solar energy system will be adequate to power an average home. For a system of that size, you will need between 15 and 20 solar panels, depending on the size and wattage of the panels that you choose.

Some homes require larger or smaller systems depending on the average monthly electricity consumption, and the size of the system can also be limited by the amount of available roof space, budget considerations, and so forth.

Solar for Gresham Businesses

Commercial solar systems work in a similar fashion to residential systems but on a much larger scale. Business owners often opt to install solar panels on the roof of their business, on ground mounts, or on a shade or parking structures for maximum power production.

How Does Solar Help My Bottom Line?

Adding solar to your business can help your bottom line by eliminating or greatly reducing your monthly power bill, which can be a giant chunk of a business’s overhead cost. Installing solar will also protect you from future electricity rate hikes and make you eligible for certain solar-related tax breaks. Additionally, such a visible display of your commitment to the environment can even help win over potential customers!

Prepare for Emergencies

At Sunbridge Solar, we want to offer you options beyond just a basic solar energy system which is why we offer home battery backup systems as well, that can be used in conjunction with your solar system. A battery backup system will allow you to keep your power on during brief grid outages and can also save you money if your utility company has variable time-of-use rates.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Additionally, we offer home charging stations for electric vehicles, because we know that it’s not practical to own an EV unless you can charge it at home.

Solar Incentives in Gresham, OR

Gresham offers several local, federal, and state solar incentives that can be combined to make solar more affordable:

26% Federal Solar Tax Credit (Available to both residential & commercial solar projects)
Energy Trust of Oregon Solar Incentives
1. Portland General Electric Solar Program
2. Pacific Power Solar Incentive Program
3. Solar Within Reach Solar Incentive for Qualified Incomes
4. ODOE Solar Rebate for Battery Backup Systems
Net Energy Metering
Portland Clean Energy Fund (Only available in Portland, OR)
USDA REAP Grant (Grants for large solar farms)

Solar FAQs

Here are a few questions we get asked a lot. If you have more questions, feel free to contact us.

How Does Solar Work?

In most cases, solar panels are installed on the roof of a home. The most optimal place for panels is on a sloped, south-facing portion of the roof that is not shaded at all throughout the day. Solar panels produce energy when photons from the sun’s rays hit the panel’s surface and knock electrons loose from embedded elements in the silicon, creating an electrical charge. This current then flows out of the panels and into an inverter which changes it from DC to AC - what most household appliances use.

What Happens When I Generate More Electricity Than I Consume?

Oregon allows for net metering, which is a policy that allows you to essentially sell excess electricity to your utility company in exchange for credits on your account. You can then use those credits against your monthly electric bills in the winter months where solar production drops and energy consumption rises, which helps lower your energy costs throughout the entire year.

How Long do Solar Panels Last?

Solar panels generally have a lifespan of about 25 years, give or take a few years depending on the manufacturer. Most panels are protected by 10-, 20-, or even 25-year warranties that often cover both manufacturing defects as well as weather-related damage.

What is the Payback Period for Solar in Gresham?

The average payback period for solar systems in Oregon is 10.32 years, which means that in that time period, you will save as much money on your energy bills as you initially spent on installing the solar energy system. Then, once your investment has been recouped, you can continue to enjoy free or low-cost energy for another 10-15 years, which ultimately saves you thousands.

Is Solar Worth It in Gresham?

Solar is worth it for many reasons – including financially and environmentally.

Solar energy is renewable and emissions-free, allowing you to significantly reduce your carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels. It can save you thousands of dollars in energy costs long-term, and increase the value of your home or business significantly. With a battery backup system, it can keep your power on even during grid outages and emergencies.

Essentially the only disadvantage is the expensive upfront cost of solar panel systems. However, solar technology is becoming more affordable all the time, solar loans are easier to get and regulated with favorable rates and terms, and there are many different solar incentives that can help bring down the cost of the initial investment.

Why the Sunbridge Family to be Your Solar Company?

At Sunbridge Solar, we do everything in our power to help you make an informed decision about solar, save money, and make the switch to a renewable energy source. We strive to make solar energy solutions more affordable and accessible to everyone in Gresham.