No matter what a person’s motivation is for installing rooftop solar—from the personal (taking charge of one’s own energy production) to the planetary (contributing to a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy)—there are opportunities and procedures that apply to everyone. At the December 2018 BWNA meeting, Jeni Hall of Energy Trust of Oregon provided the following helpful rooftop solar information.
Economic factors to keep in mind
- 2019 is the last year for homes or businesses to take full advantage of the 30% Federal Income Tax Credit (scheduled to phase out beginning in 2020). The credit can be subtracted from your calculated tax.
- Additional incentives are currently available from the Energy Trust of Oregon.
- The price of solar panels has dropped 60 percent in the last 10 years.
- Solar adds to the market value of your house but does not increase your property tax, thanks to Oregon’s solar property tax exemption.
Free no-risk steps to take in evaluating your home or business for a potential solar installation
Step 1: At the Energy Trust of Oregon website (www.energytrust.org), go to “solar for your home.” Provide data on your location, average monthly energy use, contact information, and receive several informal bids from approved solar installers. They will use Google Earth to assess your site.
Step 2: Invite three to four suggested installers to come to your home. Each of them—free of charge—will prepare a formal proposal, including size of solar system, costs, energy savings over time, and return on investment. The installers’ proposals may vary considerably in their suggestions about system details, costs, and other variables.
Step 3: If steps one and two are complete and you are interested in proceeding, it is time to consider financial options (about which installers can provide information). For instance, one can buy a system, lease a system, or use a “solar loan” available at select financial institutions.
Step 4: Discuss your proposals with contacts knowledgeable about solar before making any final decisions. If you want to proceed, sign a contract with your installer of choice and expect to wait weeks or even a few months until all of the permits are in place to allow installation. The installer will provide a transparent timeline.
Coming soon: the “community-shared solar” option
If your home or business is not suitable for solar due to roof orientation, shading, or insufficient roof infrastructure, or if you rent rather than own a home, you will soon be able to take advantage of “community solar” or “community-shared solar.” Here is the Energy Trust description:
Community Solar (CS) refers to local solar facilities shared by multiple community subscribers who receive credits on their electricity bills for their share of the power produced. Community solar provides homeowners, renters, and businesses equal access to the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy generation regardless of the physical attributes or ownership of their home or business.
Community solar has been approved by the Oregon Legislature, but the complex rules needed to regulate a CS system are not yet complete. It is estimated that Community Solar installations will begin sometime in 2020. Stay tuned. This may be right for you.