Solar Panel Cost Guide in Portland, OR (2024 Update)
- Portland 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 Portland
Let’s take a look at the average cost of solar panels in Portland.
The average cost of a solar system in Portland is 4 per watt.To account for the typical energy usage of the average home in Portland, most homeowners require a 4.3-kilowatt system. Using the per-watt figure above, a solar installation costs about $10,474, or $14,978 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.
The prices above are just estimates to give you an idea of how much a solar energy system could cost. The actual cost of going solar can vary based on multiple factors, such as how many panels you need, your energy consumption and what company you go with.But, once you've paid the initial cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is typically fruitful, with a net average savings of about $21,000 over 20 years on energy bills.
To see your potential savings and connect with a local solar company, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Portland
| 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 Portland
Trying to put up solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Plus, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar, opting for a solar company can help with that as well. Different providers can offer repairs, expertise on how to install solar panels and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can help you install your solar system. Here are our suggestions:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Portland
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Portland
For many Portland homeowners, the decision to install a solar energy system comes down to cost. However, the range of solar installation costs can be quite wide in Portland, with typical prices between $20,000 to $40,000. There are numerous factors that considerably influence the price you’ll pay, which we'll go over below.
Solar Equipment
System size, which is measured in kilowatts, is one of the largest factors that affects the overall cost of installing solar panels. That’s why it’s important to accurately ascertain the size of the solar energy system needed for your home by figuring out your average energy use.The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a trusted brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag 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 will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to more savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also raise the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
For some homeowners, paying for solar panels out of pocket can be financially overwhelming. Solar loans are offered by most installers in Portland, which can reduce, or in some cases eliminate, your upfront costs to make solar more affordable.When figuring out your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you’ll pay if you choose to go with a solar loan. Also, paying a higher down payment can reduce the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in Portland is the company you choose to install your solar system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, you’ll have many options for solar installers that offer a range of services at different price points.You may come across national solar installers that have lower prices because of their larger brand name and access to bulk pricing, or you might see small, local installation companies offering deals or promotions to compete with those larger 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
There are a lot of solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Installation Process: Make sure you’re aligned with the company regarding how the installation process will go and what you need to do before your solar panel system is installed, such as repairing your electrical system or roof.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and type has varying levels of quality, longevity and efficiency. They will come at different costs as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
- Reputation: Solar panel companies that have great reviews from their customers and that have been in business for many years in most cases offer high-quality solar panel installation and expertise.
- Warranty: If you care about the durability of your solar panels, making sure your company offers a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty can help put you at ease.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Portland, OR Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Portland?
This is a difficult question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many 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. It will cost more if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy consumption. Conversely, you can spend less if you go with a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Can you get solar panels for free in Portland?
You can’t get solar panels for free in Portland. However, you may still be able to afford them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.
Is switching to solar power worth it?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Portland?
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 decide to 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.