How to Save on Home Solar in Oregon
How would you like to save thousands AND install clean, renewable energy that you own on your roof?
Until the end of 2022, homeowners in Oregon have three great ways to save money when they switch to solar and own their power. Some homeowners who have their solar energy system connected to the electrical grid managed by certain power providers can even get credit for helping to provide their community with clean power along with their home.
While figuring out how to take advantage of the rebates and tax incentives available to homeowners can feel daunting, it doesn’t have to.
At Purelight Power, our goal is to make the switch to solar easy and affordable for every homeowner. In the next few paragraphs, we’ll guide you through the rebates and incentives available in the State of Oregon, and explain how each one works.
Rebates and Incentives for Solar in Oregon
Before we dive in, let’s clarify the different ways you can save: tax incentives and rebates.
While the federal solar tax incentive is claimed on your income taxes the year you had your solar energy system installed, other tax incentives may be automatically applied exemptions from things like property taxes.
Rebates, on the other hand, tend to be something you have to do a bit of legwork for ahead of time, or directly after purchase, to qualify. For instance, homeowners who want to receive rebates from certain power companies across Oregon will need to participate in net metering, and have their system installed by an Oregon Department of Energy approved installer like Purelight Power.
Save 26% With The Solar Investment Tax Credit
Homeowners who have solar installed before December 31st, 2022 can claim a credit up to 26% worth the cost of their system on their federal income taxes. Oregonians who want to claim this credit need to have the solar installed at their primary or secondary residence, and the solar energy system must be new, and being used for the first time.
Some other caveats to know prior to claiming the Solar ITC:
- The credit can only be claimed on systems that are owned, whether through financing or having paid for the total cost upfront. Leased systems cannot be claimed.
- The Solar ITC can’t be claimed on residential properties rented to others with the exception of if you also live at the property at least half time. If you rent to your roommates, but also live in the home, you’re good.
- Even if your tax liability (how much you owe in taxes based on your income) is less than the credit amount you’d claim, you can still claim the Solar ITC. The current year you simply wouldn’t owe any federal tax, and the next year you can carry the credit forward to reduce your tax liability by whatever amount is left on the credit. For example, if you purchase or finance a solar energy system worth 30,000, you can claim up to 7,800. If your tax liability is 5,000 for 2022, you wouldn’t owe any federal taxes, and in 2023 you’d have another 5000,800 from the original credit to put towards lowering your tax liability.
To find out more about how to claim the Solar ITC on your federal income tax return, we have a blog with a more in-depth look.
Solar Adds Value Without Raising Property Taxes
While Oregon doesn’t have a state level income tax incentive, they do have one other tax related incentive that can save homeowners thousands. A law passed in 2011 saves homeowners on solar by exempting the assessed value of the solar system being included in annual property assessments for taxes. Or, in plain terms, while your solar system will raise the value of your home by upwards of 4% on average, you won’t have to pay more in property taxes every year because of that increased value.
While many homeowners who go solar intend to stay at their homes for the foreseeable future, it’s great to know that the increased value of solar is there when you sell and protected by law from causing any increase in your property taxes. If and when you do sell your home, you’re getting the complete added value of your solar back in your
Save With Rebates From Your Utility Company
Across Oregon, certain utility companies offer per watt rebates for homeowners with solar installed on their homes. Similar to the rules for the Solar ITC, you do need to own your solar energy system. So leased systems don’t apply.
For instance, homeowners in Ashland can save up to 5,000 (or
Go Solar Now and Save !
With the Solar ITC savings on your income taxes, rebates from the utility company that manages the grid in your area, and Purelight Power designing a system to wipe out your power bill and help you go solar for zero down, solar has become an affordable investment for every Oregonian who owns their home.
Sounds too good to be true? There is a catch: after December of this year, that 26% drops to 22% for 2023, and then disappears. Don’t miss out on your chance to go solar while there are incentives to help you save!
With a quick 30 second survey, you can find out if your roof qualifies today!
.25 per watt) on their home solar. Meanwhile, homeowners who have their solar system tied to a grid managed by PGE or Pacific Power can save hundreds by qualifying for a Renewable Energy Certificate with the Energy Trust of Oregon.
Other utility providers who have solar rebate programs for residential customers include Salem Electricity and EWEB in Eugene.
Solar Within Reach Helps Make Solar Affordable For Lower Income Families
The Energy Trust of Oregon has one more program that can help homeowners who are lower income afford solar if they currently get their power from PGE or Pacific Power. This program, called Solar Within Reach, is income restricted. So you’ll need to check and make sure that your income and family size match up to their requirements.
EWEB GreenPOWER
The Collegian is a voluntary contributor to the Eugene Water Electric Board (EWEB) Greenpower Program. As a Greenpower contributor we:
1) Protect the environment. Renewable energy helps reduce regional air pollution from fossil fuels.
2) Support local solar energy projects. Greenpower funds incentives for our customers who install solar panels on their homes and businesses.
3) Invest in the local economy. Greenpower supports local jobs by promoting the installation of new sources of clean energy.
4) Support research, education and projects that advance renewable energy. Greenpower funds grants to local nonprofit organizations for these purposes.
LandScaping Nature’s Way
Since 1999 The Collegian’s landscaping has been managed by Whitey Lueck, an instructor at University of Oregon’s Department of Landscape Architecture.
Whitey’s concept of landscaping nature’s way, means that only native plants are used and are chosen in a way to work with nature and not against it. No pesticides or fertilizers are used. The plants’ fallen leaves simply recycle their nutrients on-site. The onsite plants also rely primarily on rain for irrigation.
“In an effort to provide as healthy an indoor environment as possible for residents of The Collegian, a substantial “garden” of living plants is maintained in the two multi-story stairways filled with natural light as well as in the dining area where only artificial light is available……” Read …
Recycling composting
At The Collegian, we emphasize recycling. Every floor has a recycling closet which contains bins for glass, plastic, paper and metals. Residents can easily sort and dump their recycling prior to putting any non-recyclable materials down the trash chute.
We also participate in Love Food Not Waste, a commercial food waste collection program in the City of Eugene. Our kitchen composts food scraps through this program and we welcome our residents to do the same by providing them with green compostable bags to make it as easy as possible to take part.
Harvest Wind (WC III), US
Harvest Wind (WC III) is a 98.9MW onshore wind power project. It is located in Washington, the US. The project is currently active. It has been developed in single phase. Post completion of construction, the project got commissioned in December 2009.
Vestas Wind Systems to Acquire Availon
PUD LLC
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy NV
The project is developed and owned by Eugene Water Electric Board, Lakeview Light Power, Peninsula Light and Public Utility District No. 1 of Cowlitz County. The company’s ownership stake in the project stands as 30%, 30%, 20% and 20% respectively.
The project supplies enough clean energy to power 14,000 households. The project cost is 160m.
The project is currently active. The project got commissioned in December 2009.
Power Purchase Agreement
Eugene Water Electric Board, Lakeview Light Power, Peninsula Light and Public Utility District No. 1 of Cowlitz County are the power offtakers from the project.
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy was selected as the turbine supplier for the wind power project. The company provided 43 units of SWT-2.3-93 turbines, each with 2.3MW nameplate capacity.
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy is the OM contractor for the wind power project. The operation and maintenance contract commenced from 2014, for a period of 15 years.
About Eugene Water Electric Board
Eugene Water Electric Board (EWEB) is a non-profit utility service provider that offers water and electricity services. The utility owns and operates fossil fuel and hydro electric power plants for the generation of electricity. It offers services such as rebate programs for outdoor watering timers, repair services, power supply, water supply, call before you dig, going green, and consulting services. EWEB also provides power outages, vegetation management, power supply, safety services, drinking water source protection, customer services, and water conservation services, among others. The utility offers its services to homes, schools, business, and other customers. EWEB is headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, the US.
About Peninsula Light
Peninsula Light Company (Peninsula Light) is an electric utility that distributes electricity and drinking water. The utility’s services comprise of online bill payment, meter reading and power interruption inquiry, connect and disconnect service, outage reporting, energy efficiency, energy audits, energy conservation, energy saving tips, rebates and incentives, electrical safety, power restoration, net metering, surge protection, grounding services, and capital credits. It also provides water services including water quality reports, water conservation tips, cross connection and backflow prevention, water system checkup and analysis. The utility serves residential, commercial and industrial customers in Western Pierce, Tacoma and Kitsap County. Peninsula Light is headquartered in Gig Harbor, Washington, the US.
About Public Utility District No. 1 of Cowlitz County
Public Utility District No. 1 of Cowlitz County (Cowlitz PUD) is an electric utility that generates and distributes electricity. The utility uses solar, wind, geothermal water, and biomass for generation of electricity. It provides services such as refrigerator recycling, heat pumps, lighting, home weatherization, energy saving tips, water heating, low-income weatherization plus, appliance rebates, and buyer beware services. Cowlitz PUD also offers new construction or remodel services, electrical inspections, facility connections requirements, and net metering services. The utility provides electric service to 48,200 residential, commercial, industrial and street lighting customers. It serves electricity in the cities of Castle Rock, Kalama, Kelso, Longview, Ryderwood, Silver Lake, Toutle and Woodland. Cowlitz PUD is headquartered in Longview, Washington, the US.
All power projects included in this report are drawn from GlobalData’s Power Intelligence Center. The information regarding the project parameters is sourced through secondary information sources such as electric utilities, equipment manufacturers, developers, project proponent’s – news, deals and financial reporting, regulatory body, associations, government planning reports and publications. Wherever needed the information is further validated through primary from various stakeholders across the power value chain and professionals from leading players within the power sector.
We have programs and resources that can help both the rental property owner and the occupant. Learn more about the Home Energy Score program and other offerings.
Whether you already have an electric vehicle, or you’re considering electric transportation options, we can help with incentives, information and expertise.