Solar Panels Portland: A Quick Look
We at Sunbridge Solar are proud to be the premier Portland solar company. We serve the City of Roses with high-quality Portland solar panel installations with unbeatable customer service. In this article, we’ll share some basics of solar energy in PDX.
Is Solar Worth It in Portland?
Despite the PNW’s reputation for rain and drear, solar is definitely worth it in Portland. Homeowners who invest in solar energy systems save an average of almost $16,000 over the next 20 years! Plus, in an average of just over 11 years, you will have saved as much on your energy bills as you spent initially on installing the solar energy system. Then you can still enjoy free or nearly free energy for the remainder of your panels’ lifespan, which is often an additional 10-20 years after you have recouped your investment.
Solar energy systems are often priced on a per-watt basis, with the average price per watt in Portland at $2.53. This brings the cost of a typical 5 kilowatt system to $12,650, but that’s before solar incentives.
Read More: Is Solar Worth It In Portland?
2023 Portland Solar Incentives
These incentives programs can save you tons of money when switch to solar in Portland increasing to overall return on investment.
- Portland Clean Energy Fund – Passed in November 2018 by an overwhelming majority of Portland residents, the PCEF will invest about $50 million per year in social and environmental projects, including solar for homes and businesses!
- Federal Investment Tax Credit for Solar – These federal tax credits allows you to deduct 26% of the cost of your solar energy system from your federal tax liability. With our average $12,650 system, you save almost $3,300 on the the total solar panel costs.
- Local and Utility Company Rebates – Portland General Electric and Pacific Power offer rebates of between $0.20 and $0.25 per watt for owners of new solar energy systems, while Salem Electric offers $600 for the first 3 kilowatts and $300 for each additional kilowatt. For a 5 kilowatt system, that’s a $1,000 to $1,250 cash rebate.
- Net Metering – Net metering essentially allows you to ‘bank’ power with your utility company, so that any solar energy that isn’t immediately used in your home isn’t wasted. Rather, you will be credited on your account for this excess energy and can use the credits against your overall monthly bills.
Solar energy systems are often priced on a per-watt basis, with the average price per watt in Portland at $2.53. This brings the cost of a typical 5-kilowatt system to $12,650, but that’s before Oregon solar incentives.
How Much Solar Energy Does a Solar Panel Produce?
The amount of energy that a solar panel produces depends on two major factors:
- the wattage rating of the panel and
- the environmental conditions in which it’s operating.
The wattage rating of solar panels indicates how many watts they will produce in perfect laboratory settings, with residential panels usually rated between 250 and 400 watts. However, since real-world conditions are never perfect, you can generally expect a panel to produce up to about 90% of its rating.
There are several different environmental conditions that can impact power production, like shading, the weather, how many hours of sun the panel gets each day, the angle at which the panel is mounted, the length of cable runs, and the cleanliness of the panels, among other things.
Example
For a more concrete example, let’s look at a scenario of averages. The average American home consumes about 890 kilowatt-hours per month while an average 5 kilowatt solar energy system can produce roughly between 350 and 850 kilowatt-hours per month, depending on those environmental factors we just covered. So, you could feasibly cover the majority of your power consumption with solar energy throughout the year, especially if your consumption rate is lower or you decide to install a larger solar energy system.
A 5 kilowatt system will include somewhere between 12 and 20 panels depending on their ratings, and will take up about 400 square feet of rooftop real estate – ideally on a sloped, south-facing area of your roof.
A Favorite Among Local PDX Installers
At Sunbridge Solar, our reputation is our calling card – take a look at what our previous customers have to say about us in online reviews. Our customers are our family and we strive to make every interaction a positive and outstanding one. Additionally, since we are a local company, we are very familiar with Portland solar regulations and permitting processes so we can guide you through them quickly and easily.
There are several different environmental conditions that can impact power production, like shading, the weather, how many hours of sun the panel gets each day, the angle at which the panel is mounted, the length of cable runs, and the cleanliness of the panels, among other things.
What Makes Us Different?
We at Sunbridge Solar are extremely proud to be a unique solar installer in Portland, Oregon. We are aware that there are many solar companies to choose from, but we think what makes us unique is the way we install solar panels in a personalized and tailored way. In addition to selling solar panels, we also create enduring connections with our customers.
Our team of qualified and skilled solar experts is one of the things that sets us apart. We take the time to get to know our clients and their unique energy needs because our team is passionate about assisting our clients in making the switch to solar. To design and install a solar panel system that is specific to their energy needs, financial situation, and property, we work closely with our clients.
Our dedication to openness and honesty is another quality that distinguishes us. From the initial consultation to the last installation, we believe in being honest and upfront with our clients. We give our clients thorough information about the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy and guide them through the various solar incentives that are offered. Additionally, we offer our clients ongoing support by keeping an eye on the functionality of their systems, responding to their inquiries, and performing maintenance tasks.
Overall, our dedication to offering top-notch customer service and high-quality solar solutions that satisfy each of our clients’ particular needs distinguishes us as a Portland solar installer. Choose Sunbridge Solar if you want a solar installer who puts your satisfaction above all else.
Free Consultation
We sincerely hope that this guide has given you useful knowledge about obtaining a free estimate for your solar panel installation in Portland, Oregon. For our clients’ solar panel systems, Sunbridge Solar is dedicated to giving them accurate and transparent quotes. We recognize that making the switch to solar energy can be a sizable investment, so we work to give our customers all the information they require to make an informed choice.
Contact us today for a free estimate and take the first step toward a future with more sustainable energy. In Portland, Oregon, we look forward to assisting you with all of your solar needs.
