Solar FAQ
Does Oregon receive enough sun?
Oregon gets as much sun as the national average—and more than Germany, the world’s solar energy leader. The solar resource in southern and eastern Oregon is 20-30% higher than the national average.
What size system do I need?
The physical area needed for solar installations depends on the building's energy needs. For solar electric, plan on 100 square feet for one kilowatt of solar panels, which will generate 1,000 kilowatt hours per year in the Willamette Valley. Solar electric systems can be scaled to meet a desired portion of your electric load.
Typical commercial or industrial solar water heating systems are sized to meet up to 70% of the facility's hot water load, and may need anywhere from fewer than 100 square feet to hundreds to thousands of square feet of roof area for the collectors, depending entirely on the facility's hot water usage and the desired percent of load from solar.
Solar pool heating systems typically have a collector area of 50-100% of the pool's surface area. These collectors can be installed on the rooftop of equipment sheds, arbors or other common pool-side structures.
Are solar energy systems low maintenance?
Today's solar energy systems have few moving parts and can operate silently and dependably with warranties of up to 25 years. The systems run automatically and efficiently with electronic controllers. Meters and gauges allow maintenance staff to verify system operation and performance. Maintenance is as simple as an occasional cleaning as needed.
Will solar work on my facility's roof?
Solar works best on roofs that are flat and/or tilted with southern exposure, though east or west-tilted roofs may be suitable as well. For optimum cost-effectiveness and performance, there should be little or no shading on the system from roof mounted items (such as HVAC systems, vents, chimneys, communications equipment, or parts of the building such as penthouses or parapets), adjacent trees, or buildings. Remember, locations with no shading in the winter may be shaded by spring and summer foliage.
Solar energy systems can be installed in a number of ways, on many styles of roofs or on the ground. Work with your contractor to decide what works for your facility and to determine that your planned installation meets local building codes.
What if I can’t use the tax credits?
If you want to own the system yourself but don’t have Oregon tax liability, you can talk with Oregon Department of Energy about their tax credit pass-through program. This option allows a project owner to transfer their Business Energy Tax Credit project eligibility to a pass-through partner for a lump-sum cash payment. Consult with your tax adviser for more information.
A third-party ownership model may allow your organization to host a solar energy system that is installed, owned and operated by another company. Your building would use the solar energy delivered to you under contract with the third party.
How does energy efficiency fit in with solar?
Improving the energy efficiency of your facility is the most cost-effective way to manage energy-related operating expenses and reduce carbon emissions from your operations. Upgrading lighting, HVAC and other mechanical systems, and installing high-efficiency equipment and appliances can pay back through energy savings in just three to five years. Energy Trust incentives and Oregon energy tax credits are available to improve your return on investment even further.