State solar guide
Oregon has strong solar fundamentals in 2026. The federal residential credit expired December 31, 2025, but state incentives and net-metering rules still support solid payback timelines for qualified homeowners.
Sources: ElectricChoice June 2026 | NREL PVWatts (Portland averages 3.5 to 4.0 peak sun hours per day; Medford averages 4.8 to 5.5 hours per day; Bend averages 5.0 to 5.5 hours per day) | EnergySage May 2026 | Federal residential credit: Section 25D expired December 31, 2025, H.R.1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act).
Net metering
Oregon law requires net metering at the full retail rate for systems under 25 kW. Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power are the primary investor-owned utilities. Under Oregon's policy, customers receive 1:1 credit for exported solar at the full retail rate. Credits roll over for 12 months and excess at annual settlement is compensated at a lower avoided-cost rate. Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) and some municipal utilities offer similar programs with their own tariffs - verify current terms with your specific utility.
PGE and Pacific Power each administer separate net metering tariffs; export credit rates are based on each utility's retail rate, which differ slightly. EWEB (Eugene) offers net metering as a municipal utility but at its own rate structure. Some rural electric cooperatives in Oregon offer less favorable net metering terms - verify with your cooperative before contracting.
Program: NM1_full_retail. Last verified: June 1, 2026. DSIRE source (opens in new tab).
Verify with your utility
Net-metering rules change by utility and program cycle. Confirm current export credit rates and eligibility with your specific Oregon utility before contracting. Current program details at DSIRE (opens in new tab).
State incentive stack
The federal residential credit expired December 31, 2025. The programs below are what remains for Oregon homeowners. Amounts and availability change; every program is date-stamped and linked to its DSIRE source.
Federal residential solar credit (Section 25D): expired. The Section 25D residential investment tax credit expired December 31, 2025. The residential credit rate is 0%. State and local incentives below may still significantly reduce your net system cost. Commercial systems still qualify for Section 48E (30%).
| Program | Benefit | Eligibility | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) - Residential Solar Rebate Utility-funded rebate Available only in PGE and Pacific Power service territories. EWEB and cooperative customers do not qualify. Verify that your contractor is Energy Trust approved before signing a contract. | $2,500 flat per residential solar installation Flat $2,500 rebate per qualifying residential solar system in Portland General Electric and Pacific Power service territories. Funded through utility ratepayer charges and administered by the Energy Trust of Oregon. | Customers in Portland General Electric or Pacific Power service territory in Oregon. Must use an Energy Trust approved contractor. System must meet ETO specifications. | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) - Solar Within Reach (Income-Qualified) Utility-funded rebate (income-qualified) Verify current income eligibility thresholds and available capacity with the Energy Trust of Oregon before relying on this incentive amount. | Up to $6,600 for solar; up to $11,700 for battery storage Enhanced rebate for income-qualified customers in PGE and Pacific Power territories. Up to $6,600 for solar installation; up to $11,700 for battery storage. | Income-qualified customers in PGE or Pacific Power territory. Verify current income thresholds with the Energy Trust of Oregon. | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) - Battery Storage Rebate Utility-funded rebate (battery storage) Verify current rebate rate per kWh and maximum amount with the Energy Trust of Oregon; rates may change between program cycles. | Approximately $400 per kWh up to $5,000 Battery storage rebate of approximately $400 per kWh for qualifying systems, up to $5,000, in PGE and Pacific Power territories. | Customers in PGE or Pacific Power territory installing qualifying battery storage systems, standalone or paired with solar. Must use an ETO approved contractor. | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| Oregon ODOE Solar plus Storage Rebate Program (OSSRP) State rebate Prior ODOE program rounds exhausted funding within 48 hours. Applications are first-come, first-served. Your contractor must be ODOE-approved before application. Do not rely on this rebate without a confirmed reservation - funds may exhaust before you can apply. Verify current program status at the Oregon Department of Energy website. | Up to $5,000 (solar); up to $2,500 (battery); up to $7,500 (solar, income-qualified); up to $11,700 (battery, income-qualified) Oregon Department of Energy rebate: up to $5,000 for residential solar and $2,500 for battery storage. Income-qualified: up to $7,500 for solar and $11,700 for battery. Program reopened June 15, 2026 with $1.1 million in available funds. Prior rounds exhausted in 48 hours. | Oregon residents using ODOE-approved contractors. Income-qualified tiers available for lower-to-moderate income applicants. Applications are first-come, first-served until funds exhaust. | Limited | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
| Oregon Solar Property Tax Exemption Property tax exemption Confirm with your county assessor that the installation is properly recorded as exempt at permit and inspection. | Full exclusion of solar-added assessed value from property taxes Grid-connected solar systems are excluded from Oregon property tax assessments under ORS 307.175. Installing solar does not increase assessed property value. | Oregon residential properties with qualifying grid-connected solar systems. | Active | DSIRE (opens in new tab) |
Data last verified June 1, 2026. Incentive programs change; verify current amounts and availability at dsireusa.org (opens in new tab) before committing to a project.
Battery storage incentives in Oregon
Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO): up to $5,000 for battery storage at approximately $400 per kWh in PGE and Pacific Power territories. Oregon ODOE Solar plus Storage Rebate: $2,500 for battery storage (up to $7,500 solar for income-qualified; $11,700 battery for income-qualified). ETO and ODOE rebates may stack for qualifying customers - verify with your contractor.
Savings example
This example uses real Oregon market data. No federal residential credit is applied. Figures are illustrative; your in-home assessment uses your actual utility bills and the current rate schedule for your specific utility.
System size 12 kW at market average of $2.55 per watt. Annual production estimated at 13,200 kWh based on Portland at 3.5 to 4.0 peak sun hours per day (NREL PVWatts, lower end for Western Oregon cloud cover). Assumes 75% self-consumption at $0.1464 per kWh full retail value; 25% exported at full retail rate via PGE net metering. No Oregon sales tax applies. Utility rate escalation at 3% annually. Federal residential credit: $0 (expired). ETO rebate: $2,500. ODOE rebate shown separately as uncertain - verify enrollment. Eastern Oregon customers (Medford, Bend) with 4.8 to 5.5 peak sun hours see materially better economics. Figures are illustrative; your in-home assessment will use your actual bills.
Oregon Portland General Electric customer (illustrative)
Illustrative example. Federal residential credit: $0 (Section 25D expired December 31, 2025). Your estimate will use your actual utility bills and current rate schedule.
Permitting
Oregon does not have a statewide residential solar permit fee cap. Portland (Bureau of Development Services) and Multnomah County are the primary permit authorities in Western Oregon. Portland BDS has established solar permit processing and an online submittal portal. Permit fees in Portland typically run $200 to $450 for residential solar. Medford and Bend permit offices in Eastern Oregon tend to have shorter queues. PGE and Pacific Power interconnection reviews add 4 to 8 weeks after permit issuance. Total contract-to-energization time in Oregon typically runs 8 to 16 weeks. ODOE rebate applications require an approved contractor and coordination with the rebate program timing.
The ODOE rebate program requires using an ODOE-approved contractor and submitting the rebate application through that contractor. Coordinating ODOE application timing with your installation schedule is important, as funds exhaust quickly. Verify your contractor's ODOE approval status before signing a contract if you intend to pursue the ODOE rebate.
Commercial solar in Oregon
The commercial solar credit (Section 48E, 30 percent) remains available for qualifying commercial projects. Construction must begin by July 4, 2026 to qualify for the full placed-in-service window. Combined with MACRS accelerated depreciation and 100 percent first-year bonus depreciation, the combined first-year federal benefit can reach 45 to 55 percent of project cost for many Oregon business owners. Direct Pay is also available for nonprofits, municipalities, and other tax-exempt entities.
Commercial solar overviewCommercial solar projects must begin construction by July 4, 2026 to qualify for the 30 percent Section 48E federal tax credit. After that date, the system must be placed in service by December 31, 2027.
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