Solar Panel Cost Guide in Lake Oswego, OR (2025 Update)
- Lake Oswego Solar Installation Cost: $10,474
- 25-Year Savings: $14,502
- Payback Period: 11.7 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Lake Oswego
Find out what the average cost of installing solar panels is in Lake Oswego.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Lake Oswego is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Lake Oswego, most homeowners require a 4.3-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs around $10,474, or $14,978 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The true cost of your system can be higher or lower than the average in Lake Oswego based on a few factors, such as the kind of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.But, once you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on power bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a top solar panel company in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Lake Oswego
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,069 |
| 3 years | $-6,260 |
| 5 years | $-3,451 |
| 7 years | $-642 |
| 9 years | $2,167 |
| 11 years | $4,976 |
| 13 years | $7,785 |
| 15 years | $10,594 |
| 17 years | $13,404 |
| 19 years | $16,213 |
| 21 years | $19,022 |
| 23 years | $21,831 |
| 25 years | $24,640 |
Top Solar Installers in Lake Oswego
Trying to install solar panels by yourself can be a difficult task, which is why getting a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Since solar panels are exposed to rain, snow, hail and wind, depending on the climate, warranties and repairs from your solar installer can help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels by reducing potential costs down the line.
If you’d like to make the switch to solar but still aren’t sure which solar system company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers in Lake Oswego:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
See all of the solar companies in Lake Oswego
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Lake Oswego
Cost is often one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that will push your cost above or below the average in Lake Oswego: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll go over each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of a solar panel system in Lake Oswego, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home’s energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $3,500 for each additional kilowatt you need.The brand and kind of equipment you get for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often come at a higher price than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you can expect a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar companies in Lake Oswego offer solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.It’s a good idea to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to put more money down upfront, you can reduce your total costs and the amount of time it’ll take to pay off the loan.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final factor to keep in mind when trying to evaluate the cost of solar for your home or business in Lake Oswego is the company you hire to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to install new cabinets, for instance, you’ll have many options for solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.The size of the company sometimes plays the most significant role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because of more resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.64 | $15,288 | $16,244 | 12.1 years |
| 8 kW | $3.57 | $19,992 | $22,051 | 11.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.50 | $24,500 | $28,054 | 11.7 years |
| 12 kW | $3.43 | $28,812 | $34,253 | 11.4 years |
| 14 kW | $3.36 | $32,928 | $40,648 | 11.2 years |
| 16 kW | $3.29 | $36,848 | $47,239 | 11.0 years |
| 18 kW | $3.22 | $40,572 | $54,025 | 10.7 years |
| 20 kW | $3.15 | $44,100 | $61,008 | 10.5 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar panel company you go with will impact not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should take into account, including:
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and kind offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose affects which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can verify your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: It’s important to read your solar installer’s contract carefully to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what you can expect about the cost.
- Installation Process: An important thing to understand when going solar is the installation process itself. Be sure to clarify any details you need to know with your solar installer, such as what permits you should acquire and what the project timeline is.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Lake Oswego, OR Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Lake Oswego?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Generally speaking, it costs about $17,500 for a 5-kW system and $35,000 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the other hand, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Lake Oswego?
Leasing solar panels can be an appealing choice, because it typically comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The drawback is that you won’t be able to save as much. If you lease, you don’t own the system, so you can’t claim any incentives and your home value won’t increase. Buying solar panels is a better option if you want to get the most savings.
Can solar panels eliminate my power bills?
It is possible to eliminate your electricity bills with solar panels, but for most homeowners in Lake Oswego, that will require at least a 10-kW system. Not all homes will have the roof space for that size system, so you’ll want to check with a local solar installer to see how many panels can fit on your roof.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.