How much are people actually saving with solar?

For years, Oregon homeowners and businesses have been told that solar saves them money. But the question remains, how much can you actually save? Is it enough to offset the cost, and with today’s economy, is solar affordable?

We hear these questions a lot. So why are solar companies not answering them?

We can never promise an exact amount you will save or say that your electricity bill will completely go away. The reason is because every solar system, battery system, and power bill are different. However, on average we see Oregon homeowners save anywhere between $70-$200 a month or $1,000-$1,500 a year. Furthermore, over a 25-year lifespan, homeowners in Oregon save an average of $28,000 to $44,000 on their power bill.

The initial investment sometimes tends to be the drawback for some homeowners. The average payback period can range from 3 -10 years. However, the Energy Trust of Oregon offers homeowners with Pacific Power and Portland General Electric several incentives that can be utilized to make the payback period quicker. See more details on the Energy Trust of Oregon’s website.

With solar, Business owners, including commercial and agricultural, reduce electricity costs by 40% to 80% over the lifetime of the system. Additionally, Energy Trust of Oregon offers cash incentives and support for commercial and agricultural solar projects in PGE and Pacific Power service areas. The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) also offers grants that can cover up to 50% of eligible solar project costs for businesses and farms.

Pacific Power and PGE rates only continue to rise. While you can't control their rate raises, you can control what you do about it. Put your power into your own hands. See what solar would look like for you and what you can save.