Maximize Your Solar Investment with the Wattsmart® Battery Program
Get Paid to Store Power. Delivered by Pacific Power. Installed by National Solar.
Wattsmart® Battery Program Now Available for Oregon Residents
Announced on March 26, 2025, Pacific Power’s new Wattsmart® Battery Program allows homeowners and businesses in Oregon to receive upfront cash incentives and ongoing bill credits for installing a qualifying battery system. Whether you're adding a battery to an existing solar system or starting a new solar + storage project, National Solar is your trusted partner for high-performance installations, seamless program enrollment, and long-term support.
What Is the Wattsmart® Battery Program?
The Wattsmart® Battery Program is an incentive-based program created by Pacific Power that helps customers integrate battery storage with the utility’s smart grid. When you install a qualifying battery and opt into the program, Pacific Power can manage the battery to help stabilize the grid—and you get rewarded for participating.
Program opened March 26, 2025, and applies to battery systems installed starting April 1, 2025.
What are the key benefits of participating in the Wattsmart® Battery Program?
- Upfront incentive of $600 per kilowatt (kW), capped at $3,000 per battery (up to two per home)
- Annual bill credit of $15 per kW beginning in year two
- Optimized solar usage – store and use your own energy when it’s most valuable
- Backup power capability during outages (when paired with solar and properly configured)
- Support grid stability and contribute to Oregon’s clean energy transition
Up-to-date incentives will be available on the Pacific Power website program page linked above.
What companies in Oregon can install the battery systems approved by Pacific Power?
According to Pacific Power's website, any licensed company in Oregon can apply for their customers. At National Solar, we specialize in helping homeowners build reliable, long-term energy solutions that maximize savings and sustainability. As a REC ProTrust Installer and as an official Trade Ally Contractor with the Energy Trust of Oregon, National Solar can help qualifying customers access additional cash incentives to reduce upfront solar installation costs
Energy Trust of Oregon offers:
- Cash-back incentives based on system size and your electric utility
- Support for income-qualified households
- Compatibility with other programs like Solar For Homes, Battery Storage For Homes, Solar Within Reach, Battery Storage-Income-Qualified, Solar For Business and others coming soon.
Our team handles the application process from start to finish to ensure you get every available incentive—without the paperwork hassle.
Already Have Solar? Add a Battery and Enroll.
If you already have a solar system installed, you can add a qualifying battery and still be eligible for Wattsmart participation. You’ll be able to:
- Receive the upfront rebate if the battery is installed after April 1, 2025
- Earn ongoing participation bill credits
- Maintain your current net metering agreement
- Gain resilience with backup power capability
FAQs – Wattsmart® Battery Program
Who can participate in the Wattsmart® Battery Program?
Residential and commercial customers of Pacific Power in Oregon and Washington can participate, provided they install a qualifying battery system and meet interconnection requirements.
How much is the incentive?
For residential customers:
- $600 per kW of battery output, up to $3,000 per battery
- Limit of two batteries per household
- Annual bill credit of $15 per kW, starting in year two
Example: A 5 kW battery system earns a $3,000 upfront incentive and $75 annually in credits.
Do I need solar to participate?
No, you can install a standalone battery system and still qualify, as long as you meet the utility’s Time of Use rate requirements.
Will Pacific Power control my battery?
Yes. Pacific Power will manage battery discharges as part of their smart grid operation, typically in 5-minute increments. However, your battery will never be discharged below 10%, preserving backup capacity.
What if I already have a battery?
If your battery is eligible but was installed before the program's effective date, you won’t qualify for the upfront rebate, but you can still receive annual bill credits.
Install with Confidence. Power Your Future.
National Solar is committed to making clean energy accessible, reliable, and financially smart. As Oregon’s top-rated solar and battery storage installer, we deliver:
- Customized system design based on your home, usage, and goals
- Fast, efficient installations by certified professionals
- 10-Year Worksmanship Warranty & a 25-Year Product Warranty
- Clear guidance through incentive applications
Start Today. Be Ready When Enrollment Opens.
With the Wattsmart® Battery Program now active, now is the time to start your solar + storage project. Our team is here to guide you every step of the way—from system design to full program enrollment.
Contact National Solar today to learn more about battery storage systems for your home.
Disclaimer
The Wattsmart® Battery Program is a trademarked program owned and operated by Pacific Power, a division of PacifiCorp. National Solar is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pacific Power, but acts as an independent installer and Energy Trust of Oregon Trade Ally Contractor qualified to help customers install eligible battery systems that may participate in the program.
All incentive eligibility, participation requirements, and program terms are determined solely by Pacific Power and are subject to change. Customers are responsible for meeting all program requirements and submitting proper documentation for enrollment and incentives.
National Solar does not provide tax or financial advice. Customers should consult with a licensed tax professional to understand how available solar and battery incentives, including the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), may apply to their individual tax situation. Your tax advisor can also help you explore potential additional local or state tax benefits based on your system and financial circumstances.
Why choose National Solar?
17 years of experience
With 17 years of experience, we’ve installed thousands of systems across the Pacific Northwest, earning the trust of local families.
100% In-house team
From design to permitting and installation, our expert team takes care of every step, ensuring a seamless process and top-tier craftsmanship.
Energy Trust of Oregon Trade Ally Contractor
Save money switching to solar with Energy Trust, Oregon State & Federal incentives while they last.
Solar Incentives
Last updated June 16, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Energy Trust of Oregon Incentives
National Solar is proud to be an Energy Trust of Oregon Trade Ally Contractor since 2009. Take advantage of the incentives below by partnering with a Trade Ally.
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Federal Tax Credit
The Most of our customers qualify for the 30% U.S. Federal Tax Credit (ITC). A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the income taxes that a person or company would otherwise pay the federal government. The ITC is based on the amount of investment in solar property. We always recommend consulting your tax professional for your specific situation.
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How do I claim the Solar Federal Tax Credit?
To claim the federal solar tax credit, you will fill out form 5695 when doing your federal taxes. If you get a system through National Solar you receive a binder manual that includes last years 5695 form and more information on how to claim your tax credit as well as information on your system. Want to see a draft from the IRS now? View the IRS Form 5695 here.
Solar: Net Metering
Oregon’s net metering law allows all utility customers to generate their own electricity and reduce their electricity bills. If you install a solar electric system, your utility will come to your site and switch out your existing utility meter for a bidirectional “net” meter (there is no charge for the new meter). This meter keeps track of the power you acquire from the utility and what you supply to the grid. Each month, the power you use from your utility is offset by the power you send to the utility. You are only charged for the difference or the “net.”
How does net metering work?
If you generate more power than you use in a given month, your electric bill will have no kilowatt-hour charges, and you will only have to pay the basic utility service charges. The surplus energy will generate kilowatt-hour credits that will be applied to your future electric bills. Unused credits will accumulate in your Portland General Electric or Pacific Power account. This means credits accumulated during sunny summer months, especially in Central Oregon, can be applied to charges during Oregon’s cloudy winter months. Some of the energy companies in the State of Oregon offer net metering:
- Portland General Electric (PGE): PGE provides a net metering program where customers can balance the electricity they use from PGE with the energy they send back from their power-generating systems.
- Pacific Power: Pacific Power offers net metering options for its customers, allowing them to receive credits for excess energy generated by their renewable systems.
- Central Electric Cooperative (CEC): CEC members who generate their own electricity using solar, wind, fuel cells, or hydroelectric power can interconnect with CEC's electric grid through a net metering agreement.
- Douglas Electric Cooperative: Douglas Electric Cooperative offers net metering services to its members, enabling them to offset their energy consumption with self-generated renewable energy.
EWEB Solar Incentives & Net Metering
The following net metered and direct generation rates are effective February 2025.
For net metering, excess energy generated by solar customers that exceeds their own consumption will be credited to their bill at the 2025 Annual Renewable Net-Metered Rate of $0.0710 per kWh (down from $0.1045 in 2024).
For direct generation, energy generated and sold directly to EWEB will be purchased at the 2025 Annual Renewable Generation Purchase Rate (Purchased Power and RECs) of $0.0768 per kWh (down from $0.1102 in 2024).
These rates decreased from 2024 because energy prices in the broader market went down. Since EWEB's solar rates are currently based on these market prices, they fluctuate and can be highly volatile.
You can learn more about EWEB's current solar rates here.
Salem Electric Solar Incentives & Net Metering
Salem Electric (SE) supports members in adopting renewable energy by offering financial incentives for qualifying solar systems and a robust net metering program. If you're a Salem Electric customer, these benefits can help make going solar more affordable.
Solar Incentives from Salem Electric
Salem Electric provides the following incentives for solar systems:
- $300 per kW installed for qualifying systems (maximum incentive: $1,500).
- Incentives cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost and are subject to fund availability.
This program applies to net-metered solar systems with a nameplate capacity of 25 kW or less that comply with SE’s Net Metering Policy.
Net Metering with Salem Electric
Salem Electric offers a net metering program for its members, allowing them to generate electricity and receive credits for the excess energy sent back to the grid. Credits earned from surplus energy can offset your energy costs during months when solar production is lower.
You can learn more about Salem Electric's Solar Information here.
Have more questions about incentives?
Request an Estimate from National Solar to get started, we will answer all of your questions and verify your eligibility to see which incentives you qualify for.