How much electricity do solar panels produce in Tumalo?

NREL's PVWatts model puts a south-facing, 20-degree-tilt system in Tumalo at about 1,432 kWh per installed kW each year. A 7.5 kW system would make roughly 10,740 kWh, from about 413 kWh in December to 1,343 kWh in July. Shading, roof direction and tilt change your exact number.

How many solar panels does a Tumalo home need?

A home using the Oregon average of about 11,000 kWh a year needs roughly 7.7 kW in Tumalo, or about 18 panels at 430 watts each. Check the last 12 months on your CEC bill to size yours.

How much can solar save on a CEC bill in Tumalo?

At CEC's average energy charge of about 8.7¢ per kWh, a 7.5 kW system offsets about $934 of energy charges in its first year. Fixed monthly charges (about $31) stay on your bill either way. This estimate assumes no rate increases, so real savings are usually higher.

Which electric utility serves Tumalo?

Most Tumalo homes are on CEC, but Pacific Power also serves parts of the area. Rates, net metering rules and incentives differ by utility, so check the name on your bill before comparing quotes.

What solar incentives are available in Tumalo?

CEC is outside the Energy Trust of Oregon service area, so its incentives don't apply here. Tumalo homeowners still get Oregon's property-tax exemption, the Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate when funds are open, and CEC's own net metering or interconnection program. The 30% federal homeowner credit ended for systems installed after 2025.

Central Oregon · Deschutes County

Solar panel and battery installation in Tumalo, Oregon

Solar and battery systems sized to Tumalo sun and CEC rates, designed and installed by a local Oregon crew.

1,432kWh per kW / year (NREL)

CECMain utility

Not in areaEnergy Trust

1Our installs in Tumalo

Deschutes County

Going solar in Tumalo

A south-facing solar system in Tumalo produces about 1,432 kWh per installed kW each year, according to NREL's PVWatts model. A home using about 11,000 kWh a year needs roughly 7.7 kW (18 panels) here, and a 7.5 kW system offsets about $934 of CEC energy charges in its first year.

Tumalo's acreage lots and big Central Oregon sun make it ideal for rooftop and ground-mount solar, often paired with battery backup for rural resilience.

High-desert sun and cold, clear winters are close to ideal for solar: panels run more efficiently in cold air, and snow slides off tilted modules within a day or two of a storm. Racking and attachments are specified for local snow loads.

Central Electric Cooperative serves the rural areas around Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Terrebonne, Tumalo and Prineville. Low energy rates plus a higher fixed charge mean solar payback is longer than on Pacific Power, so system sizing matters.

National Solar has completed 1 projects in Tumalo, so our crews already know Deschutes County permitting and CEC interconnection here.

Local production data

How much solar produces in Tumalo

July is the strongest month at about 1,343 kWh; December is the weakest at 413 kWh. Net metering carries summer surplus into winter.

Modeled monthly output, 7.5 kW system in Tumalo10,744 kWh / year

465

Jan

593

Feb

900

Mar

1088

Apr

1163

May

1238

Jun

1343

Jul

1238

Aug

1043

Sep

780

Oct

480

Nov

413

Dec

Monthly kWh in Tumalo
Jan	465 kWh
Feb	593 kWh
Mar	900 kWh
Apr	1088 kWh
May	1163 kWh
Jun	1238 kWh
Jul	1343 kWh
Aug	1238 kWh
Sep	1043 kWh
Oct	780 kWh
Nov	480 kWh
Dec	413 kWh

System to offset a typical home: 7.7 kW
Panels (430 W): 18
7.5 kW annual output: 10,740 kWh
First-year energy savings: $934

Utilities

Electric utilities serving Tumalo

Your utility sets your rate, net metering rules and which incentives apply. Check the name on your bill.

Main utility

Central Electric Coop / CEC

Electric cooperative

About 8.7¢/kWh, plus a ~$31 monthly fixed charge. Outside the Energy Trust area.

CEC rates and solar rules

Also serves part of the area

Pacific Power

Investor-owned utility

About 17¢/kWh, plus a ~$14 monthly fixed charge. Energy Trust incentives apply.

Pacific Power rates and solar rules

Utility rates only move one way: up.

See what your utility charges today and how much it has climbed since 2021. Enter your bill to get your personalized Price of Power report.

Electricity rates by county

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Under 9¢
9–11¢
11–13¢
13–17¢
17¢+

Shaded by each county's primary utility. Faded counties aren't served by Pacific Power.

Deschutes County

17.0¢/kWh

+56%since 2021 · Pacific Power

ZIP code

Electric utility

Average monthly bill$175

$40$600+

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Sources and method

Production: NREL PVWatts v8 (NSRDB weather data) at Tumalo's U.S. Census coordinates (44.156, -121.328), 1 kW, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% system losses. Rates: average residential energy charges reported by each utility. Install counts: National Solar project records. Data updated 2026-10-20. Your roof's direction, shading and usage change the numbers, so your free assessment uses your actual address and bills.