Did you know that Oregon is now home to 26,904 solar panel installations? That’s enough to supply clean, renewable energy from the sun to 158,675 homes in the state! What’s even better is that the price of solar power in Beaver State has gone down by 11% over the last half-decade.
So, does that mean solar panels are a worthy investment for Salem, Oregon residents? Why should you, a Beaver State Capital homeowner, go solar in the first place?
This guide will answer all those questions and more, so be sure to read on.
Why switch to solar?
For a start, solar is one of the cleanest energy sources and has among the lowest carbon footprints. Therefore, making the switch can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). That, in turn, can make a difference in today’s growing problem of global warming.
What’s more, installing a solar energy system may likely increase your home’s value. That’s a plus if you plan to sell your home in the future.
Last but not least, harnessing the sun’s power allows you to save on your utility bills. Granted, it may take several years to recoup your initial solar installation expenses. After that, though, every watt of solar energy you generate and use translates to savings.
Why Salem, Oregon, is a great place to go solar
One reason is that Salem gets an average of 154 sunny days each year. Granted, that’s fewer than the national average of 205 days. However, that still means you can generate enough solar energy to power your home for about 40% of the year.
Moreover, Salem is sunnier than Germany, according to https://blueravensolar.com/oregon/salem/. That’s worth noting as the European country is one of the largest solar power producers in the world.
Besides, if your solar panels generate more energy you can use, you can store that excess for later use. For example, you can use that extra energy on less sunny days when your panels don’t generate as much.
Numerous solar incentives for Salem Residents
The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a federal program that can cut the cost of your solar power system by 26%. As it’s from the federal government, the tax credits can apply to anyone who pays federal income taxes. However, you also need to purchase your solar energy system outright to qualify.
You can also get a rebate from Portland General Electric (PGE) if you install solar panels in Salem. So long as you’re a PGE customer and own the solar energy system, you can get a rebate of $0.20/Watts to $0.25/Watts. Although there’s a cap, the maximum incentive you can get is still a staggering $1,200.
What if you’re not with PGE but with Salem Electric? In that case, you can still qualify for a rebate of $300 for every kW of solar you install. The maximum incentive, in turn, is $1,500.
Start planning your solar energy system today
Keep in mind that the cost of solar continues to decline. Indeed, it has already dropped by over 80% in the last decade.
That should be enough reason for you to hire a solar panel company in Salem, Oregon, ASAP. The sooner you do, the sooner you can reap the benefits of solar energy.
Are you interested in even more home, lifestyle, or tech guides like this? Then feel free to stick around to browse our other informative blog posts!
