Is Oregon sunny enough for solar?
Yes. Even Portland and the rainy Willamette Valley receive as much sunshine annually as the average U.S. city. In fact, solar is Oregon’s most abundant renewable resource. Today, more than 17,000 Oregon households use solar energy systems to generate electricity or heat water.
Is my home right for solar?
Solar works best on south-facing roofs, though east- or west-oriented roofs may be suitable as well. There should be little or no shading from trees, buildings, chimneys or roof gables on or adjacent to your home. Remember, locations with no shading in the winter may be shaded by spring and summer foliage.
If your roof is deteriorated, you may need to re-roof your home before installing solar. Another consideration for installing solar is the condition of wiring in your home; in some instances, an electrical upgrade may be needed if your home has older wiring. Your contractor will help you assess these issues.
Can I put solar panels on my garage?
Yes, if your garage has good solar access and the roof is in good condition, you can install solar panels on your garage. There may be additional cost if additional electrical work needs to be done (e.g. trenching).
How does solar electricity work?
A solar electric system – using photovoltaic panels (PV) – generates electricity that can be used throughout your home to power the electric appliances and other devices, which reduces the amount of electricity you need to purchase from your power company. On sunny days you may not have a use for all the electricity you are generating and any excess flows out to the electric grid where it is available to other electric customers. When your system generates more electricity than you use, you receive a credit from your utility. This credit is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh).
