Save Oregon Solar
The Save Oregon Solar Coalition unites community organizations, environmental justice groups, clean energy advocates and businesses that support fair and equitable access to solar and clean energy.
Oregon’s successful rooftop solar program – net metering- has helped Oregonians go solar for years. However, rooftop solar still accounts for less than 1% of our electricity and is now under attack by some utilities. Net metering is a billing policy that incentivizes adoption of solar. By receiving credits for the excess energy you produce, a fair net metering policy can help you take control of where your energy comes from and effectively reduces electricity bills. Net metering keeps solar affordable, empowers Oregonians to become more energy independent and helps the state meet its clean energy goals.
Solar benefits everyone. Net metering ensures local communities directly benefit from solar energy.
- Solar is both reliable and efficient – leading to lower costs for all utility customers. Net metering empowers homeowners, farms, businesses, apartment buildings, schools and other public buildings to benefit from the clean energy they generate by receiving a fair credit from the utility for the extra electricity they don’t use and share with their neighbors by sending it back into the grid.
- Solar ensures cleaner and healthier communities. Solar electricity does not generate pollution, requires no water, and creates no hazardous waste.
- A fair net metering policy helps more Oregonians to go solar and save money. Investing in rooftop solar reduces energy bills and helps the state meet its clean energy goals. If the net metering credit is reduced for new customers, Oregonians will be unable to fully benefit from the anticipated bill savings from going solar.
- Rooftop solar is now the cheapest form of energy. According to solar industry research data from SEIA, the cost to install solar has dropped by more than 40% over the last decade. In Oregon, prices have fallen by 43% . As solar electricity has become more affordable, residential solar adoption has increased. Residential solar accounts for 97% of the 5 million solar installations in the U.S.
- Rooftop solar is growing fastest in working and middle class neighborhoods. Did you know, Oregon’s numbers show that 50% of solar adopters are below Oregon’s medium income and only 7% of solar is purchased by those earning over $250K? Oregon utilities should build upon this success by increasing access to rooftop solar and battery storage and strengthening net metering policies. Not reducing options, especially for low-and moderate-income households that are disproportionately burdened by higher energy bills.
How you can help more Oregonians benefit from local solar
Take action
Send a message to utility regulators to protect energy freedom and your solar rights.
Volunteer
Want to make a bigger impact? Join our list of volunteers to be activated for opportunities to support more solar in your community. From sharing your solar story with local media to writing a letter to your editor, we’ll find fun ways to bring solar supporters together.
Join the coalition
Together, we can support fair and equitable access to solar and clean energy. Join our growing list of community organizations, environmental justice groups, local government, clean energy advocates and businesses.
Additional resources for solar advocates
Recent news/articles
PGE will delay controversial proposal to limit rooftop solar incentive, CEO says – Portland Business Journal (March 1, 2024)
Oregon awarded nearly $87 million to increase solar adopting in low-income communities – Oregon Public Broadcasting (June 13, 2024)
Idaho ends net metering, shifts instead to net-billing system for solar compensation – Solar Power World (January 3, 2024)
Nonprofit Supporters
Business Supporters
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