How Much Does Home Solar Cost in Oregon in 2026?

The average home solar installation in Oregon costs $15,000 to $25,000 before incentives. After Oregon’s state incentives, most homeowners pay $10,000 to $20,000 out of pocket. Leasing or PPAs may still offer 30% savings through the commercial credit.

But your actual cost depends on several factors.

Average Oregon Solar Costs

| System Size | Before Incentives | After Oregon Rebates | Lease/PPA Savings | Monthly Savings | |-------------|-------------------|---------------------|---------------------|-----------------| | 6 kW (small) | $15,600 | $10,600–$12,600 | $10,920 | $80-120 | | 8 kW (average) | $20,800 | $15,800–$17,800 | $14,560 | $110-160 | | 10 kW (large) | $26,000 | $21,000–$23,000 | $18,200 | $140-200 | | 12 kW (EV owner) | $31,200 | $26,200–$28,200 | $21,840 | $170-240 |

Based on average Oregon price of $2.60/watt installed (2026)

What Affects Your Solar Cost?

System Size

The biggest factor. A larger system costs more upfront but generates more savings. If you have an EV, you'll want a larger system to offset charging costs.

Rule of thumb: Look at your annual electricity usage in kWh, divide by 1,200, and that's roughly the kW system size you need.

Roof Complexity

Simple roofs with south-facing slopes cost less to install. If your roof has:

Multiple angles or dormers
Skylights or vents to work around
Steep pitch (harder to work on safely)
East/west orientation (needs more panels)

...expect to pay 10-20% more.

Panel Quality

Budget panels (Tier 2): ~$2.40/watt Mid-range panels: ~$2.60/watt Premium panels (SunPower, LG): ~$3.00+/watt

Premium panels have better efficiency and longer warranties, but the payback difference is minimal for most homes.

Battery Storage (Optional)

Adding a Tesla Powerwall or similar battery adds $10,000-15,000 to your system. Worth it if:

You want backup power during outages
Your utility has unfavorable net metering
You want maximum energy independence

Most Oregon homeowners skip batteries initially since our net metering policies are reasonable.

Oregon Solar Incentives (2026)

Federal Solar Incentives: What Changed

The 30% federal solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired at the end of 2025 for homeowners. However, if you lease your system or enter a power purchase agreement (PPA), the solar company can still claim up to 30% under Section 48E through 2027—and pass those savings to you through lower monthly payments.

Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program

Oregon offers state rebates through the Energy Trust of Oregon:

Up to $5,000 for solar installations
Additional $2,500 for battery storage
Income-qualified households may receive more

Check energytrust.org for current availability—funds are limited.

Net Metering

Oregon requires utilities to offer net metering, meaning you get credited for excess power you send to the grid. Portland General Electric and Pacific Power both offer 1:1 credits (you get retail rate for your exports).

This makes solar economics much better than states with poor net metering.

Property Tax Exemption

Oregon exempts solar installations from property tax assessments. Your home value goes up, but your property taxes don't.

Real Cost Examples

Example 1: Portland Bungalow (Purchase)

1,400 sq ft home, $120/month electric bill
7 kW system recommended
Gross cost: $18,200
Energy Trust rebate: -$3,000
Net cost: $15,200
Monthly savings: ~$100
Payback: ~12 years

Example 1b: Portland Bungalow (Lease/PPA)

7 kW system recommended
Gross cost: $18,200
30% commercial credit passed through: -$5,460
Energy Trust rebate: -$3,000
Effective cost: $9,740
Monthly savings: ~$100
Payback: ~8 years

Example 2: Bend Home with EV (Purchase)

2,200 sq ft home, $180/month bill + EV
10 kW system recommended
Gross cost: $26,000
Energy Trust rebate: -$4,500
Net cost: $21,500
Monthly savings: ~$160
Payback: ~11 years

Example 2b: Bend Home with EV (Lease/PPA)

10 kW system recommended
Gross cost: $26,000
30% commercial credit passed through: -$7,800
Energy Trust rebate: -$4,500
Effective cost: $13,700
Monthly savings: ~$160
Payback: ~7 years

Example 3: Eugene Homeowner (Lower Income, Purchase)

1,800 sq ft home, $140/month bill
8 kW system recommended
Gross cost: $20,800
Energy Trust rebate: -$5,000 (income-qualified)
Net cost: $15,800
Monthly savings: ~$120
Payback: ~11 years

Financing Options

Cash Purchase

Best long-term value. You keep all the tax credits and incentives, and your payback is fastest.

Solar Loan

Many installers offer $0-down loans at 4-7% interest. Monthly payment is often less than your current electric bill, so you're cash-flow positive from day one.

Popular options:

Mosaic
GoodLeap
Credit union solar loans

Lease / PPA

You don’t own the system—a company installs it and sells you the power at a fixed rate. Leasing may still offer 30% savings through the commercial credit, reducing your effective cost. Lower savings than owning, but zero upfront cost and no maintenance worries.

Our take: If you can afford cash or a loan, purchasing is still better for long-term savings. However, leasing is now more attractive due to the commercial credit, especially if you don’t owe enough in taxes to benefit from state incentives.

Does Oregon Get Enough Sun for Solar?

Yes. Oregon gets about 65-75% of the solar radiation that Arizona gets. That's less, but panels have gotten efficient enough that systems still pay off in 7-10 years.

The Willamette Valley gets more clouds, but also has mild temperatures — and solar panels actually perform better when they're not overheating. Eastern Oregon (Bend, Pendleton) gets excellent sun.

How to Get the Best Price

Get multiple quotes — Prices vary 20-30% between installers
Compare apples to apples — Same system size, similar equipment
Check installer reviews — Look for 4+ stars and longevity
Ask about incentive handling — Good installers help with paperwork
Don't rush — High-pressure sales tactics are a red flag

Ready to Get Quotes?

The best way to find your actual cost is to get quotes from multiple local installers. We've partnered with vetted Oregon solar companies to make this easy.

Get 3 free quotes in 2 minutes:

Get My Free Solar Quotes

No obligation. No spam. Just real quotes from real installers.

Have an EV? Check out our guide to the best home EV chargers to pair with your solar system.

How Much Does Home Solar Cost in Oregon? (2026 Guide)