The cost of solar panels in Portland, OR (2024)

Updated Dec 10, 2024

  • You'll pay an average of $13,990 to install a 5 kilowatt solar panel system in Portland, OR, before incentives.

  • The federal investment tax credit (ITC) lowers that price by 30% of all your solar equipment and installation costs.

Don't overpay for solar in Portland

Compare multiple offers and save up to 20%

Please enter a five-digit zip code.

Written by: Emily Walker

As of December 2024, the average solar panel system costs $2.80/W including installation in Portland, OR. For a 5 kW installation, this comes out to about $13,990 before incentives, though prices range from $11,892 to $16,088. After the federal tax credit, the average price drops by 30%.

Average price of a 5 kW solar panel installation in Portland, OR

Good Price
$11,892 or less
Market Average
$13,990
High Price
$16,088 or more

You'll probably pay even less than what we show here. It doesn't include the federal ITC or Portland, OR state incentives, which will lower this price by at least a few thousand dollars.

Your solar panel cost depends on your system's size

It may seem obvious but larger solar panel systems cost more money. We use cost per watt ($/W) so you can easily compare quotes, controlling for slight variations in system size.

While a 5 kW system will only cost you $13,990 in Portland, OR, doubling the system size effectively doubles the price, so you'll pay about twice that for a 10 kW system. The higher the price tag, though, the more you'll get back as a credit towards your federal tax bill.

Average solar cost by system size in Portland, OR

System Size
System Cost
System Cost (after ITC)
3 kW$8,394$5,876
4 kW$11,192$7,835
5 kW$13,990$9,793
6 kW$16,788$11,752
7 kW$19,587$13,711
8 kW$22,385$15,669
9 kW$25,183$17,628
10 kW$27,981$19,587

Are solar panels worth it in Portland, OR?

Solar panels are worth it in most areas, including Portland, OR. Certain factors, including the cost of electricity, incentives, climate, and the angle at which the sun hits your roof impact how quickly you break even on your investment relative to other areas around the U.S. 

If you pay for your system with cash, you'll save about $39,620 over 25 years (the warranty term of most solar panels) on electricity costs with a 5 kW system in Portland, OR. We generate this estimate based on real solar quote data from our Marketplace. It considers your system's cost, the federal tax credit, and inflation rates.

Payback Period
9.44 Years
25-Year Savings
$39,620
Cost-per-Watt
$2.80

If you can't shell out $13,990 in cash to pay for solar, don't sweat it. You can choose to finance your system with a loan instead. Some companies even offer $0-down loans so you can start saving on day one if your loan payments are less than your current electric bills. Just keep in mind that your long-term savings will be lower with a loan due to interest rates.

Find out what solar panels cost in your area in 2024
Please enter a five-digit zip code.
  • 100% free to use, 100% online
  • Access the lowest prices from installers near you
  • Unbiased Energy Advisors ready to help

The numbers we're showing are averages. The price you'll pay for solar depends on many factors unique to you and your home:

If you're looking for solar companies in OR, here are some popular suggestions:

  • Sunpath Services
    Beaverton, OR
    Established 2020
    Elite Installer
    Sunpath Services is a local solar company with an office in Beaverton, OR. Customer service, integrity and a low-...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    35 Reviews

    Sunpath Services is a local solar company with an office in Beaverton, OR. Customer service, integrity and a low-...
  • Cascade Solar
    Portland, OR
    Established 2022
    Elite Installer
    Whether you're simply interested in learning more about solar or want a custom bid for your home, we are your one...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    29 Reviews

    Whether you're simply interested in learning more about solar or want a custom bid for your home, we are your one...
  • Freedom Solar Pros
    Portland, OR
    Established 2011
    Elite Installer
    Our main focus is always on quality, both with equipment used and the installation performed. We offer the best w...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified
    5.0 /5.0
    3 Reviews

    Our main focus is always on quality, both with equipment used and the installation performed. We offer the best w...
  • Smart Solar Energy
    Portland, OR
    Established 1995
    Elite Installer
    Smart Solar Energy is a family-owned solar contractor that specializes in residential solar installations. With m...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified

    Smart Solar Energy is a family-owned solar contractor that specializes in residential solar installations. With m...
  • Blue Raven Solar
    Portland, OR
    Established 2014
    Elite Installer
    At Blue Raven Solar, we are dedicated to helping homeowners harness the power of the sun to reduce their energy c...
    Elite Installer
    Screened & Verified

    At Blue Raven Solar, we are dedicated to helping homeowners harness the power of the sun to reduce their energy c...

Solar is a major purchase, but you can get the price tag to come down a bit by being an educated shopper. Taking advantage of incentives and rebates and shopping around for quotes can bring down your cost of solar in Portland, OR.

Take advantage of federal and local solar incentives

As long as your federal tax bill is high enough, you can take advantage of the federal tax credit in Portland, OR. This incentive allows you to apply 30% of your solar installation and equipment costs toward your federal tax bill. If the amount exceeds your tax bill, you can roll over the remaining credit to the following year. Many states also offer great local incentives and rebates.

Get quotes from multiple installers

Comparing multiple solar quotes can save you money through competition and transparency. Each additional quote you receive for solar will help you find the right solar panel system at the right price.

This is where EnergySage can help. With funding from the Department of Energy’s SunShot Prize, EnergySage opened the country’s first (and now the largest) marketplace for home solar panel installations. We gather custom solar quotes from local installers on your behalf and put them in an easy-to-compare format. When you compare quotes for solar panels on the EnergySage Marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than if you work with a single solar company.

Why shop with EnergySage?

Save time & money

Request free quotes from vetted installers in minutes

Unbiased support

Our expert Energy Advisors will help you make the right decision

Trusted, local installers

We pre-screen and monitor all of our partners

Consumer reviews of EnergySage

Back to the top
Did you find this page helpful?
Discover whole-home electrification
Home solar
rooftop solar icon

Create your own clean energy with solar panels.

Community solar
community solar icon

Enjoy the benefits of solar without rooftop panels.

Heating & cooling
Heat pump icon

Explore heat pumps, the latest in clean heating & cooling technology.