12 Things to Know Before Adding Solar Panels to Your Oregon Home
Solar panels can generate more electricity in suitable climates than your house can use. It is tempting to think, “Easy! I’ll just install a bunch of solar panels, and they’ll supply all of my electricity!”
A one-size-fits-all approach, however, is not the case. Solar energy is great in the right climate, specifically, sunny, dry, and hot. But useless in the wrong environment.
If you are thinking about adding solar panels to your Oregon home, read on to learn some things you should know before doing so.
1. Possibility of Adding Solar to Your Home
Before adding solar panels to your Oregon home, it is essential to consider the possibility of adding solar energy to your home. First, it is vital to ensure the roof is strong enough to hold the extra weight of the panel. Additionally, it is wise to work with an experienced solar energy installer.
They will determine the best location for the panel installation. Furthermore, you must check with your local building department. These are for any permitting requirements for your installation.
2. Cost of Residential Solar Installation
Oregon is an excellent state for using solar energy. Adding solar panels to your home has become more accessible. This accessibility is a result of decreasing home solar costs.
But, before deciding to install solar panels, it is essential to understand some basics. First, determine if your roof space is suitable for installation. Next, considering the system’s cost, including building and operating costs, would be best.
Additionally, the installation cost may vary depending on the accessories purchased. These accessories, such as wiring and mounting equipment, will complete the job.
3. Number of Solar Companies Operating
Researching the number of solar companies operating in the state is essential. Before investing in solar panels for your Oregon home, you must do this research.
In addition, knowing your options for installing, financing, and maintaining your new system is vital. Oregon has many companies that specialize in this technology.
With so many companies, you’ll be able to find one that offers the best price, service, and support. It’s also important to remember that while solar may be an upfront investment, it can provide long-term savings on green energy costs.
4. Advantages of Solar Energy
Solar energy has several advantages for Oregonians considering adding solar panels to their homes. If you believe it, you should be aware of the many benefits, including reducing your electricity bill by as much as 50%, taking advantage of federal tax credits and incentives, helping the environment by decreasing your carbon footprint and even having the potential to earn income by selling excess electricity back to the grid.
Solar panels can also last 25–30 years, saving you significant money in the long term. It pays to research and learns all you can before making any decisions, and plenty of resources are available to help you.
5. Credits From Your Generation to Your Bill
Before getting started, there are several things to know, especially regarding credits from electricity generation to your bill. In Oregon, you may be eligible to receive Solar Renewable Energy Credits, or SRECs, which are generated for each 1,000 kWh of renewable electricity generated from your solar panels. You can then sell these SRECs on the open market for additional income or use them to offset some of the remaining energy you need from your power company.
6. If Your Home Resale Value Will Increase
If you want to increase the value of your home in Oregon, adding solar panels may be a great option. Before investing in solar panels, you should consider the installation’s cost, the energy your home needs, and the required system size.
Once you’ve purchased and installed the correct solar panel system, your home’s value will increase almost immediately. This solar installation can be a great way to add value to your home and help the environment.
7. Variety of Tax Credits and Incentives
Oregon has some of the most generous solar incentives in the United States. It includes tax credits and incentives for installing solar panels in residences. Homeowners in Oregon can take advantage of the new federal tax incentives.
These incentives consist of a federal tax credit of up to 26% of your total costs for installing solar panels. Oregon homeowners also have access to state and local incentives. These can significantly lower the cost of owning and installing solar panels.
And this includes net metering and state tax credits. Furthermore, Oregonians who install solar systems on their property may benefit from the Oregon Renewable Energy Credits program, which provides a dollar-for-dollar tax credit to those who install renewable energy systems such as solar.
You can ask a helpful resource about solar to find out about incentives such as tax credits and rebates. These financial incentives can offset the cost of residential solar installation.
8. Weather in Your Region
The weather in Oregon can vary, and knowing what to expect before adding solar panels to your home is essential. Like many other regions in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon can experience extreme weather such as intense wind, lightning storms, hurricanes, hail, and flash flooding.
Knowing what to expect from the weather in Oregon can help you prepare and secure your solar panel system from such events. In addition, it is essential to know that some solar power systems can support external forces such as strong winds. Therefore, investing in the right solar panels and protecting them can help ensure their longevity in the face of Oregon’s weather.
9. Procedures for Connecting to the Grid
Before adding solar panels to your Oregon home, specific procedures must be followed to connect to the grid most efficiently. First, homeowners must know two crucial regulations. First are the Oregon Public Utility Commission’s “Net Metering Rules.”
And second, the “Oregon Home Solar Project Procedures.” To follow net metering, homeowners must install an appropriate electric meter, submit an application to the local utility, and provide proof of the connection. The Oregon Home Solar Project Procedures also specify essential details about the procedure.
And also requirements for connecting the solar panels to the grid. Homeowners must ensure that all the necessary forms are submitted to the local utility, including the Solar Interconnection Application and the Solar Agreement Form.
10. Solar Panel Warranties
Solar panel warranties are an important aspect to consider before adding solar panels to your Oregon home. With a solar panel warranty, you can rest assured that your panels will operate correctly and be protected against any damage or failure. Solar panel warranties can vary depending on the size and type of the solar panel, the manufacturer, and the installer you’ve chosen.
When researching solar panel warranties, make sure you understand the type of coverage they provide, such as labor and parts replacement or repair, and any exclusions or conditions that may apply. Some warranties may even provide coverage for weather-related damage. Also, be sure to check for any inspection and maintenance requirements that may be with the warranty.
Oregon’s sunny location makes it a great place for solar panels. And with the right warranty in place can give you added confidence and peace of mind.
11. Customer Reviews
Before making the big decision to add solar panels to your Oregon home, it is important to take customer reviews into account. Customer reviews can provide insight into the quality of the solar panel company’s:
- products
- installation process
- customer service
Reading reviews from other customers will also provide insight into the cost-benefit of adding solar panels and whether or not the company will provide extra maintenance and support after installation. Additionally, customer reviews can give insight into which companies offer the most efficient products and services and which may be more cost-efficient over time.
12. Solar Payback Period in Oregon
The amount of time it takes for the cumulative green energy savings from the panels to recoup the initial investment of installing them. In Oregon, solar panels can take years to pay for themselves. The time frame may also affect the factoring of various utility rate structures.
It may also affect incentives, rebates, or financing. Utilizing a company that provides grid-connected solar systems can reduce costs for those looking to maximize their investment.
Adding Solar Panels to Your Oregon Home
No one can deny that adding solar panels to your Oregon home has many incredible benefits, such as saving energy costs and helping the environment. However, it’s essential to do your research beforehand and understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of the process.
Interested homeowners should take the time to understand their local solar regulations, incentives, utility rate structure, and hardware requirements.
Schedule a consultation with a solar expert today to ensure you make the right choice for your Oregon home.
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