SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEMS- RESIDENTIAL

Southern Oregon is a wonderful place to install a solar electric system on your residence. Our abundant summer sunshine coupled with long days makes solar a strong option to produce and offset some or all of your annual electricity consumption. Here in Southern Oregon we have the equivalent sunshine as “sunny Florida”. There are a few different types of solar electric systems that can be installed on a home, these include:

GRID TIED SOLAR ELECTRIC:

These systems are the lowest cost and most straight forward to install. A grid tied solar electric system provides the owner with lower bills, lowers their carbon footprint, by providing local on site produced clean energy. Grid tied solar systems are also a great way to insulate your household from rising energy costs.  These systems are also referred to as “Net Metering” systems.

GRID TIED WITH BATTERY BACK UP:

These systems operate like a grid tied solar solar electric system, which spin your meter backwards when your production is greater than your consumption AND they provide you with clean quiet, instantaneous power in the event of a power outage. They are a 30-50% more expensive as we are integrating batteries in to the system.  These systems can also be coupled with a generator to add another layer of system redunduncy.

OFF GRID SOLAR ELECTRIC SYSTEMS:

These are typically battery based systems.  Planning for a stand alone off grid solar electric system requires a more thorough analysis of your energy loads and energy usage requirements. Using this data allows us to design a system which will accurately provide for all of your energy production and storage needs. Off the grid solar electric systems qualify for the full value of the Federal Tax Credit.

INCENTIVES:

REBATES:

The Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) is offering homeowners in Pacific Power’s utility territory a cash rebate of $450 for grid tied solar systems. This rebate is an upfront cash incentive designed to directly reduce the cost of installing a solar system. Only grid connected solar systems are eligible for this rebate. In the City of Ashland there is a rebate of $.25 per watt of installed capacity offered to homeowners who install a grid connected solar electric system. In the city of Ashland this rebate is capped at $5,000.  The ETO rebate is valid for grid tied solar systems in Pacific Powers utility area and the City of Ashland rebate is valid in City of Ashland service areas. 
Link to Energy Trust Rebates: ETO Incentives
Link to City of Ashland Rebates: Ashland Incentives

OREGON STATE SOLAR REBATE:

The Oregon Department of Energy has renewed the Oregon Solar and Battery rebate.  Here is the link to the incentives.

FEDERAL TAX CREDITS:

The federal government is currently offering a tax credit to homeowners who install solar electric systems to the tune of 30% of the cost of the system with no cap thru 2032. The homeowner must have sufficient tax liability to make this tax credit valuable.  More information regarding residential solar electric systems and incentives can be found at: www.dsireusa.org or by calling Oregon Solarworks at 541-299-0402. Contact us by email at email contact