Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Rooftop solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Portland homeowners. Going solar allows you to cut your utility bills and shrink your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a qualified installation company first. Luckily, we've done the research and compiled a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation providers in Portland.
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Installing solar panels can reduce your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When deciding if a solar provider is the best option for you, consider these key factors.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This ensures that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. Tennessee requires any solar energy project valued at $25,000 or higher to be overseen by a licensed "prime contractor." The prime contractor is responsible for hiring licensed subcontractors as the project demands. Even if a project doesn't cross the $25,000 value threshold, you will still need a master electrician or electrical journeyman to pull permits.
Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to see feedback from past customers about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with installers that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. A quote should describe all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Comparing several quotes can help you find the most cost-effective option.
Quality solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers any installation defects (such as poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties show that a company is confident in its work.
Solar panels can help decrease your electricity costs over time. When evaluating solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
The cost of solar panels varies based on system capacity and the solar technology being used. The typical Portland solar array has a capacity of 8.0 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay approximately $3,580 per kilowatt; the average Portland homeowners spends about $20,094 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar company will account for factors such as the panel type, capacity, and size of the planned system, and should include prices for preliminary work, permit fees, and labor.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Depends upon sector
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater.
With home solar panels, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your property's emissions, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
It depends on your location and what type of panels you're installing. With the winter months in Tennessee being very mild, you have a wide time window to install your panels, though they won't achieve peak performance until summer arrives.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Portland amount to $948.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Portland, meaning your payback period could last 21.2 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Yes, solar panels can still supply you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system can keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider and look for a solar system that includes a battery backup.
The answer ultimately depends on your specific situation. You can take advantage of a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the system's cost, as well as state or local incentives depending on where you are. As for insurance, you'll need to notify your insurer about your new solar panels. Your premium may increase due to added property values, but you'll have peace of mind if a covered event happens to the system.
