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Solar Panel Installation Cost in Portland, OR
Normal Range: $15,700 - $27,589
Installing solar panels in Portland, Oregon, averages $21,644, though it ranges between $15,700 and $27,589 based on system size, panel type, wattage, and more. A solar panel installer can assess your roof and install your system.
How we get this data
Westend61 / Getty Images
Westend61 / Getty Images
Cost Insights
Solar panel systems are still viable for homes with limited roof space and in Portland’s cloudy weather.
High-efficiency solar panels work best in Portland’s climate, but they’re also the most expensive.
Solar panel ROI is around 35%, making this project valuable for homeowners who want to power their homes with renewable energy.
As of mid-2025, the Solar Energy Industries Association® estimates that 4.71% of Oregon’s electricity comes from solar.
Portland isn’t known for its sunny days, but solar is still an option for homeowners. Solar panels are designed to work with direct and diffused light, and rainfall can clean solar panels, helping them work efficiently. The cost of solar panel installation in Portland averages $21,644, but prices range between $15,700 and $27,589. A solar installation pro can evaluate your roof and energy consumption and give you an estimate for a system that will work best for your home.
Solar Panel Installation Cost Factors
The cost to install solar panels in Portland, Oregon, varies based on several factors. The solar system size, type of panels, and necessary hardware all affect the price you’ll ultimately pay to power your home with the sun.
Solar System Size
The size of the solar system will impact your solar panel installation costs. The larger the output, the more you’ll pay. Most homes need 6- to 10-kW (kilowatt) systems, which work out to anywhere from 15 to 34 panels, depending on the wattage. Solar panel systems in Portland cost between $2.60 and $3.30 per watt.
The table below shows average costs based on the size of your solar system:
| Solar System Size (kW) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 4 | $10,400–$13,200 |
| 5 | $13,000–$16,500 |
| 6 | $15,600–$19,800 |
| 7 | $18,200–$23,100 |
| 8 | $20,800–$26,400 |
| 9 | $23,400–$29,700 |
| 10 | $26,000–$33,000 |
| 11 | $28,600–$36,3000 |
| 12 | $31,200–$39,600 |
Type of Panel
When choosing the type of solar panel that works best for your home, consider three main factors: efficiency, life expectancy, and design. Here’s how the type of solar panel can affect your cost:
| Type of Solar Panel | Average Cost per Watt | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monocrystalline | $1–$1.50 | Long lifespan (40 years), highest efficiency, best for cloudy weather and homes with limited roof space | Most expensive, energy-intensive manufacturing panels |
| Polycrystalline | $0.90–$1 | Environmentally friendly production, less expensive than monocrystalline | Less efficient than monocrystalline |
| Thin film | $0.50–$1 | Versatile for challenging locations, most affordable | Shortest lifespan (10–20 years), least efficient |
Number of Panels Needed
On average, most homes need anywhere from 20 to 25 panels to fully power a home, but this can range from as few as 15 to as many as 34. How many panels you need depends on the number of watts per panel, your energy consumption, and the efficiency of your panels. Your average solar panel will have an output of anywhere from 250 to 400 watts. The dimensions of your solar panels will also depend on the power output.
Solar System Hardware
Discuss the type of solar system hardware you need and the cost with your solar panel installer in Portland, Oregon.
The more advanced the technology, the higher the up-front cost. The type of mount will affect the cost as well:
Fixed mounts: $10–$15 per mount
Adjustable mounts: $50 per mount
Tracking: $500–$3,000 or more per mount (these mounts can self-track sunlight, leading to up to 45% more energy production)
Other materials you will need for a solar energy system include the parts in the table below.
| Hardware | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| String inverter | $1,000–$3,000 each |
| Microinverters | $150–$300 each |
| Power optimizer | $80–$150 each |
| Solar battery | $400–$15,000 |
Inverter and microinverters: Convert direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity
Optimizer: Regulates currents so each panel is more energy efficient and prevents power loss
Battery: Stores excess energy from the system so homeowners can use it at night or during a power outage
Some systems use a single solar inverter or several microinverters that convert DC to AC electricity. Materials like the wiring and battery are often grouped with the package price unless you opt for add-on services.
Solar Panel Installation Pro Costs
Hiring an experienced pro to install your solar panels is key to making the most of this exciting new home addition. Budget $0.50 per watt for labor when hiring a solar panel installer near you. This number doesn’t include permits or the cost of additional technology, such as special mounts, tiles, or shingles.
Electrical Labor Costs
Solar panel installation does require electrical work. Though many solar panel installation companies have a licensed electrician on staff who specializes in solar panels, roofing contractors sometimes subcontract an electrician. The average cost of hiring an electrician is $60 to $120 per hour.
Permits and Inspections
Depending on your area, you may need to get a building permit and a solar panel inspection before you can unveil your new solar panels. Permits and inspections will add an average of $450 to the solar panel costs.
In Portland, your solar contractor will apply for necessary permits and coordinate inspections. You can visit the City of Portland’s Solar Permits page to find out which rules apply to your property—for instance, if it’s in a plan, historic, or conservation district.
Does Solar Panel Installation Increase Home Value?
Not only do solar panels save you money on electricity costs, but they can also raise your home value. Installing solar panels has a return on investment (ROI) of about 35%, and they can make your home more appealing to prospective homebuyers.
Portland is known for its commitment to sustainability, and solar panels allow homeowners to power their homes with renewable energy. As of mid-2025, about 4.71% of Oregon’s electricity comes from solar, based on data from the Solar Energy Industries Association®.
Pro Tip
Once your solar panels are paid off, they're officially your property. If you move, you can reinstall them on a new rooftop. Alternatively, they can increase the value of your home by 3% to 4% and attract more buyers. They can also give your property a competitive edge in a buyers’ market.
Government Credits and Tax Incentives
The best way to save money on the up-front costs of installing solar panels is to take advantage of the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) before it ends on December 31, 2025. The ITC allows homeowners to claim a federal tax credit equal to 30% of the price of their solar panel system installation.
For example, if your solar panel system costs $30,000 before the federal tax credit, you can save around $9,000. However, to benefit from this credit, your solar system has to be installed and working before the federal incentive ends.
The ITC, also known as the Residential Clean Energy Credit, was originally extended through 2032 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. However, new federal legislation (the Big Beautiful Bill Act) signed into law on July 4, 2025, terminated the credit early. The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) outlines the high-level policy changes and restrictions on energy tax credits.
Additionally, the extra power you choose not to store in a battery can be sent back to the grid. Your local utility company will compensate you for that power, but the amount will vary. You can check the Utility Rate Database on Open EI to estimate how much you can expect to receive for generating excess energy.
State or Local Solar Incentives
Incentives available from Oregon and the City of Portland can help offset the cost of installing residential solar panels.
Solar Incentives
According to the Energy Trust of Oregon, homeowners who install their solar panels through Portland General Electric or Pacific Power can receive cash incentives. The Solar Within Reach program offers additional income-based incentives.
Oregon’s Solar + Storage Rebate Program helps contractors pass savings to their customers by offering rebates to approved contractors for residential customers and low-income service providers. The rebate amounts are up to $5,000 for a solar electric system and up to $2,500 for an energy storage system and are based on the homeowner’s income and electric utility incentive eligibility.
Community Solar
If you aren’t ready to install solar panels, you can subscribe to a local community solar project and receive credits that lower your monthly utility bill and offset your energy use. This program is run by the Oregon Public Utility Commission and is available to Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, and Idaho Power customers.
Net Metering
Portland General Electric and Pacific Power offer net metering programs. If you produce more energy than you use and send it back to the grid, you’ll be compensated with a credit on your energy bill.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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