Best 10 Solar Companies in Portland, OR

With Portland's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's an excellent area for families and businesses seeking to harness the added sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar companies. While embracing solar power comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $1,100 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional company can help you choose the best panels to maximize your savings. Discover Portland's best solar companies and learn key decision-making tips on this page.

Ranking Methodology

We analyzed a multitude of Portland solar providers, using the following criteria to determine the best:

• Service offerings and warranties: Solar installers should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The best solar companies keep up with new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Portland solar installers have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should tap into their years of experience answer your questions on how to maintain your system and improve its performance.
• Certifications and licenses: Each company on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Portland community for a decade or longer.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers multiple benefits. Let's look at a few of them.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power reduces your dependence on fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases that damage the environment.
• Better energy independence: Adding a battery backup or storage system lets you have dependable energy during storms and grid outages.
• Lowered energy bills: You can avoid the added cost of grid-tied power by creating some electricity right where you use it. Plus, many states offer net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to credit part of your bill.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Portland Homeowners?

The state of Oregon offers multiple solar incentives to help offset your solar system costs. Here is a breakdown of relevant solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Portland

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and valuable solar array. Make your choice based on the following vital factors.

Licensing and Training

Solar companies in Oregon must be licensed and bonded according to the terms of the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. For PV installations, each standard journeyman on the job will have at least 8,000 hours of hands-on experience and must keep up with continuing education requirements. Installers of solar thermal systems must be either a licensed solar heating installer and a plumbing journeyman. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private certifications. Two of the most respected are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, backed by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Portland

Your solar panels' model will affect how much electricity you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

Additional accessories, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will increase your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar provider provides these additional features, so look for a company that sells them if it's crucial for you.

You can expect to pay about $17,500 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Portland. Use the table in this section to get an idea of how much Portland solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Portland

Choosing the correct financing option will affect your overall solar system cost and potential savings. Common payment options include loans, leases, cash payments, and power purchase agreements. We recommend paying with cash or securing a solar loan for the highest return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also own your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to minimize your total costs. Solar loans are another solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in monthly installments while still enjoying energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a PPA lets you pay a fluctuating rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you won't own your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in specific circumstances. Look for installers that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your wallet.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Portland.

You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, utilities and local governments may have their own financing plans and rebates that could reduce your total cost even more.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy