Oregon

Oregon’s Property Tax Exemption for solar energy systems allows homeowners to install solar panels without increasing their property taxes. When you add a solar system to your home, the added value from the solar installation is completely exempt from property tax assessment. This means you get to keep all the benefits of increased home value without paying higher property taxes on that improvement.

The exemption applies to the full value of your solar energy system, including panels, inverters, and installation costs. There are no income limits or system size restrictions for this benefit. The exemption continues for as long as you own the solar system, making it a long-term financial advantage. Oregon homeowners should note that this exemption applies automatically when you install a qualifying solar energy system – no special application is required beyond normal permitting processes.

Oregon’s Sales Tax Exemption for solar energy systems is actually quite straightforward – Oregon doesn’t have a general state sales tax at all. This means that when you purchase solar panels, inverters, batteries, and other solar equipment in Oregon, you won’t pay any state sales tax on these items. This is different from most other states that charge sales tax on purchases and then offer exemptions for solar equipment.

The financial benefit is automatic and applies to the full purchase price of your solar system components. Since Oregon has no general sales tax, there are no specific eligibility requirements, deadlines, or application processes for this benefit – it simply doesn’t exist as a tax you would need to pay. However, if you’re an Oregon resident purchasing solar equipment from out-of-state retailers, you should be aware that some states may still try to charge their sales tax, though Oregon law doesn’t require you to pay use tax on items brought into the state for personal use.

PGE’s Smart Battery Pilot is a utility program that allows Oregon homeowners with qualifying battery systems to earn money by sharing stored energy with the grid during peak demand periods. When the electric grid needs extra power (typically 10-15 times per year during the hottest or coldest days), PGE can access a portion of your battery’s stored energy to help support the community’s electricity needs. You maintain full control over how much energy you’re willing to share, and your battery always remains available for backup power during outages.

Participants earn $1.70 per kWh for each Peak Time Event they participate in, with payments appearing as bill credits on their PGE account. To qualify, you must have one of the approved battery systems: Tesla, SolarEdge, Enphase, Generac, FranklinWH, Duracell, or Eguana. The program operates year-round with no specific enrollment deadlines mentioned, though it’s described as a pilot program that began in 2020.

Important considerations include that PGE will never access your battery during actual power outages, ensuring your backup power remains available when you need it most. You can opt out of any grid dispatch request and choose your participation level based on your comfort with sharing battery capacity. This program works alongside other incentives like Energy Trust of Oregon rebates and the 30% federal tax credit for battery systems.

Net metering in Oregon is a billing arrangement that allows homeowners with solar panels to receive credit for the excess electricity they generate and send back to the power grid. When your solar system produces more energy than your home uses during sunny periods, that extra power flows to the grid and your utility company gives you credits on your electric bill. These credits can then be used to offset the electricity you draw from the grid when your solar panels aren’t producing enough power, such as at night or during cloudy days.

The financial benefit of net metering works like a one-to-one credit system in most cases, meaning you receive the same rate for the electricity you send to the grid as you pay for electricity you use from the grid. However, specific rates and credit structures can vary by utility company in Oregon. Most Oregon utilities allow you to carry forward unused credits from month to month, though policies on annual credit reconciliation differ between providers. To be eligible, you typically need a solar system that meets your utility’s interconnection requirements and size limitations, which are usually based on your home’s historical energy usage.