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Solar vs. grid power: how much can you save?
Electricity rates are on the rise. The U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that electricity prices in the U.S. rose 6.2% in 2023 alone.
Homeowners across the country are looking for ways to reduce their energy costs and many are turning to solar energy. But just how much can you save with solar and is it worth the investment?
Solar customers can often save tens of thousands of dollars over the lifespan of their solar system. To determine exactly how much you can save, you’ll have to do a little math.
Compare your current cost per kW from Portland General Electric Co with the cost per kW of your solar system. Then calculate your monthly or yearly expenses across a 25-year period. Finally, subtract your total cost of energy with solar from your total of energy from the grid to determine your savings
A simpler way to estimate your savings potential is to compare your current monthly energy costs with your projected solar payments. If your energy costs are higher than your solar payments, there is a good chance you will see savings.
At Solar Cost Calculator, we suggest that anybody paying more than $100 a month for electricity should consider solar.
What solar incentives Portland General Electric Co does offer?
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.portlandgeneral.com/residential/energy-savings/special-offers-incentives
Applicable Sectors : Residential
Incentive Amount : Heating and Cooling Heat Pump Instant Discount: $200 Heat Pump Controls: $250 Ductless Heat Pump: $500 - $1000 Ducted Heat Pumps: $700 - $1,650 Smart Thermostat enrollment: $25 Heat Pump Water Heaters: $500 (special pricing available at certain retailers as well) Electric Vehicles Level 2 Charger: $50 - $1,000 Electric Panel Upgrade: $1,000 - $5,000
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://portlandgeneral.com/about/who-we-are/community/renewable-dev-fund
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Multifamily Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.energytrust.org/renewable-energy/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.energytrust.org/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-wind-power/
Applicable Sectors : Local Government
Incentive Amount : Incentive levels are based on a project’s cost in comparison to the market value of the energy produced, called above-market cost.
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.energytrust.org/solar/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount : Varies (see below)
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://insider.energytrust.org/programs/eps-new-construction/eps-for-allies/
Applicable Sectors : Construction, Residential, Installers/Contractors
Incentive Amount : Incentives offered on a sliding scale of $1,123 - $4,085. See program website for incentive details.
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : http://www.energytrust.org/programs/multifamily/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Multifamily Residential
Incentive Amount : Appliances Clothes Washers: $65 - $300 Electric Clothes Dryers: Search for retailers through program website Refrigerator: $50 per unit Heating, Ventilation and Cooling Incentives vary widely by equipment type. See website for details. Windows Windows: $1 - $12/sq ft Storm Windows: $4/sq ft Water Heating Gas Commercial Condensing Tank Water Heater: $3.00/kBTU/h Commercial Condensing Tankless Water Heater: $1.40/kBTU/h Domestic Hot Water (DHW) Recirculation Pump Controls: $100/system DHW Recirculation Pump Controls: $500/system Residential Tankless Water Heater: $200 - $400/unit Gas Condensing Tankless Water Heater: $140 each Lighting and Lighting Controls Incentives vary widely by equipment type. See website for details. Insulation For all building types* Gas Boiler Pipe Insulation - Low Pressure Steam: $10 per linear foot Gas Boiler Pipe Insulation - Hot water used for space heating: $10 per linear foot Domestic Hot Water Pipe Insulation: $10 per linear foot For side-by-side, duplex, triplex and fourplex properties only* Attic/Ceiling Insulation: $1.25 per installed sq ft** Floor Insulation: $0.50 per installed sq ft Wall Insulation: $0.50 per installed sq ft For stacked structures with 5 or more units only* Attic/Ceiling Insulation: $0.25 per installed sq ft Floor Insulation: $0.30 (electric heated only) per installed sq ft Wall Insulation: $0.50 per installed sq ft Commercial Foodservice Equipment Incentives vary widely by equipment type. See website for details. Pool and Spa Commercial Pool Cover: $2 per sq. ft. of pool surface area Commercial Swimming Pool Heater (Covered): $0.90 - $3.00 per sq. ft. of pool surface area Commercial Swimming Pool Heater (Uncovered): $1.00 - $5.00 per sq. ft. of pool surface area Custom Incentives $0.22 per annual kWh savings $3.00 per annual therm savings
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : http://www.energytrust.org/incentive-groups/residential-appliances/
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : Incentives vary by retailer
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : http://www.energytrust.org/residential/
Applicable Sectors : Residential, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : Solar: $400 - $500/project Cooling Solutions: $100 - $1,650 Fireplace: $150 - $250 Heating Solutions: $250 - $1,650 Insulation: $0.50 - $1.50/sq. ft. Kitchen Appliances: Search EnergyStar LED Grow Lights: Search retailers through program website Programmable Thermostat: $80 coupon Washer and Dryer: Search retailers through program website Water Heater: $100 - $700 Windows: $1 - $1.50/sq. ft.
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : http://energytrust.org/commercial
Applicable Sectors : Commercial
Incentive Amount : Prescriptive and custom incentives available. See website for current incentive offerings.
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : http://www.energytrust.org/industry-agriculture/
Applicable Sectors : Industrial, Agricultural
Incentive Amount : Varies depending on technology
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : http://energytrust.org/newbuildings
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Multifamily Residential
Incentive Amount : Varies by project type, see website for details.
Implementing Sector : State
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website :
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Net metering with Portland General Electric Co
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website :
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential, Institutional
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : State
Installing and connecting your solar system
When you install a solar system in Portland General Electric Co territory, these are steps you can expect to go through:
Once you’ve hired a contractor, you will need to communicate with Portland General Electric Co to prepare the interconnection paper. Your contractor will handle most of these responsibilities
After the interconnection agreement has been finalized, your contractor can begin the installation process.
Once your system is installed, it needs to be inspected for safety and code compliance.
After the final inspection, you will receive a written notice within a few days that your system is approved to operate. You can turn on the system yourself or you can contact your installer for further assistance.
Most homeowners prefer to do it themselves. The whole process should only take 10 - 15 minutes.
Is solar worth it for Portland General Electric Co customers?
The short and sweet answer is a resounding YES. Going solar is definitely worth it for Portland General Electric Co customers. The average homeowner in _UtilityCompanyName_ can save an estimated #### over the lifespan of their solar system.
Going solar is a long game so you need to think several years ahead. It can take a few years to hit your break even period. But between net metering and solar incentives, you can drastically reduce that timeframe.
Want to get an idea for what it will cost you to go solar with Portland General Electric Co? You can use our Solar Cost Calculator to generate a customized estimate instantly. We take into consideration a wide range of criteria including location, electric bill, roof size, and other factors. Try it out today and start planning for your future.
