Frequently Asked Questions
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During sunny summer months, your solar system will often produce more electricity than you consume. This excess electricity is typically carried over as a credit on your account to make up the difference in future months when days are shorter and your solar system is producing less.

The upfront system cost represents what you can expect to pay initially to get your system up and running. Depending on how you finance your system, the upfront cost can be a portion or all of the net system cost. The net system cost is the complete cost of your system after incentives. Solar panels, balance of system components (wiring, mounting hardware, inverter, etc.), and labor for installation are all taken into account in the upfront cost.

Most utilities include “fixed charges” on your bill, which are charges that are the same no matter how much energy you use. Since your solar system can only be used to offset energy related charges (charges on a per kilowatt-hour basis), your bill savings will not exactly match your energy savings. Other times your solar system may offset energy from higher tiers that is expensive. This energy may represent a small portion of your total electricity consumption, but a large portion of your electric bill. In this case your electric bill savings will be greater than your electricity savings.

Energy Trust of Oregon provides solar electric cash incentives for Oregon customers of Portland General Electric and Pacific Power.

Some public utility districts and electric co-ops also offer solar rebates.

Tax credits, which may be combined with Energy Trust incentives, are available from the federal government.

We strongly encourage you to work with Energy Trust trade allies, as they are trained on our offerings and requirements, and we frequently verify the quality of their work.

If you hire a contractor who is not a trade ally, you are able to receive cash incentives for most projects. Your contractor must have a current Oregon Construction Contractors Board license or, for NW Natural customers in Washington, a current Washington contractor’s license in order for your project to be eligible for Energy Trust incentives.

You must work with an approved Energy Trust trade ally to receive a cash incentive for solar projects. To receive a customized list of referrals to trade allies that work in your area, visit www.energytrust.org/solarbid. Trade allies are familiar with Energy Trust’s standards and quality control requirements. However, it is your responsibility to interview and select your contractor carefully.

Oregon’s net metering law allows utility customers to generate their own electricity and reduce their electricity bills. If you install a solar electric system, your electric utility will replace your existing utility meter for a bidirectional “net” meter. This meter keeps track of how much electricity you use from the utility and how much your solar systems supplies to the grid. Each month, the power you used from your utility is offset by the power you send to the utility. You are only charged for the difference or the “net.”

If you generate more power than you use in a given month, your electric bill will have no charges, and you will receive kilowatt hour credits that will be applied to your future bills. Unused credits will accumulate in your account, so what you “save” during sunny summer months can be applied to charges during cloudy winter months. This eliminates the need for batteries to store your excess energy.

To receive an Energy Trust incentive, your solar energy system must have access to at least 75 percent of the sun available to that spot. Your solar trade ally contractor must conduct the sun assessment at the worst location of the future array or collectors and is responsible for ensuring that your system meets this requirement.

Some contractors may be more conservative with sun assessments than others. However, as long as they take measurements from the worst location and document a reading that is better than 75 percent, your system should pass inspection and qualify for an incentive.

If a trade ally’s assessment is discovered to be untrue when an installation is inspected, the trade ally is responsible for the lost incentive.

Your roof must have at least 10 years of remaining life in order to qualify for an Energy Trust solar incentive. This requirement protects you from having to remove solar panels for roof replacement just a few years after you install them.

Most solar contractors can estimate the age and life expectancy of your roof. If needed, they may consult with a roofer or home inspector.

If you are not a licensed electrician or plumber and want to become a professional solar installer, you must complete a licensing program. For a summary of licensing and apprenticeship programs in Oregon, visit the Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association website.

If you are already a licensed professional, you can gain solar experience through installation training course at an IBEW training center, Oregon community college or the Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association website.

If you are not a professional and would just like to learn how to install solar, consider enrolling in a class through Solar Energy International. They offer classes in several western states, including Washington.

There is a federal personal income tax credit for homeowners who install a solar energy system. If you receive an Energy Trust incentive for your solar system, your eligibility for federal tax credits is not affected, but it may impact the total amount of credit you are qualified to receive. Consult your tax professional for guidance.

The federal government offers an Investment Tax Credit for solar energy systems. If you lease your solar electric system, you are not eligible to claim this tax credit. Consult your tax professional or solar trade ally for current information about the credit.

The federal government offers a Business Energy Investment Tax Credit and a special, accelerated depreciation schedule for businesses that install solar. Receiving an Energy Trust incentive does not affect your eligibility for either of these tax benefits. In general, nonprofit organizations and public entities are not able to use these benefits because they do not pay taxes.

Consult your tax professional or solar trade ally for more information about these tax benefits.

There are several local, state and federal grants available to promote the installation of renewable energy systems at farms or businesses. Grants are typically awarded through a competitive application process and may not be able to be combined with Energy Trust incentives. For current information, contact one of the following grant programs.

• Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Community Project Funds support non-residential projects with strong environmental, economic and educational benefits.
• The PGE Renewable Development Fund supports non-residential projects with innovative technology and strong public education benefits.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Energy for America Program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or energy-efficiency improvements.
• The Oregon Department of Energy offers Renewable Energy Development Grants to qualifying Oregon businesses, government agencies and nonprofits that want to invest in renewable energy.