Solar payback
Is solar still worth it in Oregon without the tax credit?
Real payback math for Oregon cities, using current utility rates, Energy Trust incentives and NREL sun data, with no federal credit.
- Oregon-owned since 2009
- 3,500+ systems installed
- Updated November 4, 2026
The short answer
For most Oregon homes with good sun, yes. Even without the 30% federal credit, rising rates have kept solar ahead: the Oregon average rate rose 41% from 2021 to 2026, PGE's 49% and Pacific Power's 56%. With current Energy Trust incentives, a typical PGE or Pacific Power home pays back in about 8 to 10 years. In low-rate utilities like EWEB, payback is longer.
Updated
- Short answer
- Yes, for most homes with good sun
- Oregon rates since 2021
- +41%
- PGE / Pacific Power
- +49% / +56%
- Typical payback
- About 8 to 10 years
- Low-rate utilities (EWEB)
- Around 16 years
- Federal credit assumed
- None
The math
Solar payback by Oregon city, without the federal credit
| City (utility) | Rate | Net cost | Year-one savings | Payback | 25-year net savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland (PGE) | 20¢ | $14,000 after $3,500 Energy Trust | $1,569 | 9 years | $43,219 |
| Salem (PGE) | 20¢ | $14,000 after $3,500 Energy Trust | $1,687 | 8 years | $47,507 |
| Bend (Pacific Power) | 17¢ | $15,000 after $2,500 Energy Trust | $1,756 | 8 years | $49,039 |
| Medford (Pacific Power) | 17¢ | $15,000 after $2,500 Energy Trust | $1,615 | 9 years | $43,876 |
| Albany (Pacific Power) | 17¢ | $15,000 after $2,500 Energy Trust | $1,445 | 10 years | $37,671 |
| Eugene (EWEB) | 10.82¢ | $17,500 | $891 | 16 years | $14,974 |
Portland (PGE)
- Rate
- 20¢
- Net cost
- $14,000 after $3,500 Energy Trust
- Year-one savings
- $1,569
- Payback
- 9 years
- 25-year net savings
- $43,219
Salem (PGE)
- Rate
- 20¢
- Net cost
- $14,000 after $3,500 Energy Trust
- Year-one savings
- $1,687
- Payback
- 8 years
- 25-year net savings
- $47,507
Bend (Pacific Power)
- Rate
- 17¢
- Net cost
- $15,000 after $2,500 Energy Trust
- Year-one savings
- $1,756
- Payback
- 8 years
- 25-year net savings
- $49,039
Medford (Pacific Power)
- Rate
- 17¢
- Net cost
- $15,000 after $2,500 Energy Trust
- Year-one savings
- $1,615
- Payback
- 9 years
- 25-year net savings
- $43,876
Albany (Pacific Power)
- Rate
- 17¢
- Net cost
- $15,000 after $2,500 Energy Trust
- Year-one savings
- $1,445
- Payback
- 10 years
- 25-year net savings
- $37,671
Eugene (EWEB)
- Rate
- 10.82¢
- Net cost
- $17,500
- Year-one savings
- $891
- Payback
- 16 years
- 25-year net savings
- $14,974
Assumes a 7 kW system at our average installed cost per watt, current Energy Trust incentives, NREL PVWatts production for each city, all solar valued at the utility's average rate through net metering, and 3% annual rate increases (below the 2021-2026 trend). Your numbers depend on your roof, usage and utility.
What moves the numbers
When solar pays off fastest
Higher utility rates: PGE and Pacific Power customers save more per kWh than most co-op and public utility customers.
Strong sun: Central and Southern Oregon produce noticeably more per panel than the coast or Portland.
Energy Trust eligibility: PGE and Pacific Power customers get cash incentives off the price.
A prepaid lease: for PGE customers, it captures federal credit value through 2027.
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Solar payback questions
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Sources
Updated by the National Solar team.
- National Solar Oregon electricity rate data (utility tariffs and EIA averages)
- NREL PVWatts production estimates
- Energy Trust of Oregon incentives
National Solar is not a tax advisor. Federal credit eligibility depends on who owns the system, when construction begins and when it is placed in service. Confirm your situation with a tax professional. Incentive amounts vary by utility and income and are not guaranteed.