Why Choose A&R Solar
IN-HOUSE LABOR
We utilize 100 percent in-house labor during aspects of a project from sales to design to installation.
INDUSTRY-LEADING GUARANTEES
Our Perfect 10 Guarantee™ covers your solar energy system’s production, workmanship, and equipment for 10 years.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS
In business since 2007, our team has deep experience installing on every roof type in nearly every utility across the Northwest.
PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE
Get the performance you expect, or we’ll refund you 110 percent of the difference, guaranteed. We’ve got you covered in the event something goes wrong during the first decade of operation.
WORKMANSHIP WARRANTY
We deliver peace of mind with our projects by offering an industry-leading 10-year warranty, covering you from any defects in workmanship, building materials, or related construction.
LABOR COVERAGE
Sometimes technology fails. If you need us to replace faulty equipment, any labor costs associated with this effort are on us for the first 10 years after your purchase.
Solar Industry Leader
A&R Solar goes beyond paying dues in industry organizations. As a solar energy contractor, we are actively engaged in leadership and policy positions at local, state, and national levels.
We advocate for our customers, employees, and industry on a broad range of issues: the value of solar and net metering, workforce development, production and tax incentives, codes of ethics, and new technology deployment.
Every A&R Solar customer contributes to the solar industry’s greater good by choosing to work with us.
Solar Power For Your Home
From consultation and installation to monitoring and maintenance, we manage every detail to ensure you feel confident in your investment
Oregon Solar Incentives
Oregon offers numerous solar incentives that significantly benefit homeowners looking for solar power for their homes. These incentives include utility incentives, federal tax incentives, and net metering policies, which collectively reduce the upfront costs and improve the financial returns of solar installations.
Your Energy Trust cash incentive amount depends on your household income and your electric utility. Incentive offers are subject to funding availability and may change at any time. Contact A&R Solar to see if you qualify.
Utility | Solar Incentive | Battery Storage Incentive |
Portland General Electric | $1,000 per home | $500/kWh-$6,000 maximum |
Pacific Power | $1,200 per home | $500/kWh-$6,000 maximum |
You must meet Energy Trust’s income qualifications listed below. Contact A&R Solar to speak with a solar representative to find out if you qualify.
Household Size | Gross Annual Income Maximum* |
1 Person | $62,530 |
2 People | $81,770 |
3 People | $101,010 |
4 People | $120,252 |
5 People | $139,492 |
6 People | $158,732 |
7 People | $162,341 |
8 People | $165,948 |
Your Energy Trust cash incentive amount depends on the size of your system and your electric utility. Contact A&R Solar to speak with a solar representative to find out if you qualify.
Utility | Solar Incentive | Battery Storage Incentive |
Portland General Electric | $1.20/watt, $7,200 maximum per home | $1,000/kWh, $13,000 maximum per home |
Pacific Power | $1.00/watt, $6,000 maximum per home | $750/kWh, $10,000 maximum per home |
The Federal Solar Tax Credit can reduce the cost of installing a solar energy system by 30%.
A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the income tax you would otherwise owe.
Residential taxpayers can apply a credit to their federal income tax return at the end of the year in which their system went into service based on the total price of the system. The solar tax credit is not refundable, but can still be carried forward to future years if you can’t use the full amount in one year.
Net metering is an arrangement between a homeowner and their utility. After a grid-tied solar energy system has been installed, your utility will install a two-way meter at no charge to you. This meter will measure both the power you consume and the excess power you send back to the utility grid.
During the summer months, your system will often produce more power than you consume. Currently, for every Kilowatt hour (kWh) you send to the utility grid, you’ll be compensated with a credit for a Kilowatt hour: a 1:1 compensation rate. Those credits will be applied to your energy bill during the winter months when you likely consume more energy than you produce.
Washington Solar Incentives
Oregon offers numerous solar incentives that significantly benefit homeowners looking for solar power for their homes. These incentives include utility incentives, federal tax incentives, and net metering policies, which collectively reduce the upfront costs and improve the financial returns of solar installations.
Known as the Clean Energy Transformation Act, this Washington state solar incentive exempts sales tax on the total cost of a solar energy system. This includes materials, labor, permits, and any electrical work related to the installation of your system.
The Federal Solar Tax Credit can reduce the cost of installing a solar energy system by 30%.
A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the income tax you would otherwise owe.
Residential taxpayers can apply a credit to their federal income tax return at the end of the year in which their system went into service based on the total price of the system. The solar tax credit is not refundable, but can still be carried forward to future years if you can’t use the full amount in one year.
Net metering is an arrangement between a homeowner and their utility. After a grid-tied solar energy system has been installed, your utility will install a two-way meter at no charge to you. This meter will measure both the power you consume and the excess power you send back to the utility grid.
During the summer months, your system will often produce more power than you consume. Currently, for every Kilowatt hour (kWh) you send to the utility grid, you’ll be compensated with a credit for a Kilowatt hour: a 1:1 compensation rate. Those credits will be applied to your energy bill during the winter months when you likely consume more energy than you produce.
Our Projects
Testimonials
I first worked with A&R Solar a little over 9 years ago when they installed a solar panel system on my roof. The whole process went exceedingly well. They gave me a lot of information by phone initially and then in person when they came out to the house. They took a lot of time to educate me and explain the costs and benefits. The workers were prompt and courteous and showed admirable team spirit–they clearly enjoyed working together and doing their part to help our environment. (more…)
Our Service Area
As a leading solar energy contractor in Oregon and Washington, our team of NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) has helped over 4,000 homeowners and businesses install solar energy systems in the Pacific Northwest.
- 4,313 Residential Solar Projects
- 164,407 Solar Panels Installed
- 60,282 Kilowatts of Clean, Limitless Energy
- 951 Battery Storage Systems Installed
Solar FAQ
Absolutely! Oregon & Washington’s long summer days are perfect for solar energy.
Thanks to abundant sunlight and utility net metering programs, you can build energy credits during the sunny summer months and utilize them during the shorter winter days. Additionally, the Northwest’s cooler summer weather allows solar panels to operate more efficiently compared to hotter climates, resulting in more effective energy production.
Solar energy systems also perform well on cloudy days, capturing scattered light and converting it into usable energy. While we may not produce as much power as the southern deserts, we still generate enough to make solar a financially viable solution. In fact, our solar potential is comparable to Germany’s, a global leader in solar energy installations. Plus, with various state incentives and a commitment to renewable energy, installing solar in Oregon is a smart and sustainable choice for homeowners.
Net metering is an agreement between you and your utility where you are allowed to bank credits whenever your system is producing more energy than your home is using.
Typically, this occurs in the sunny summer months, when your system is most productive. In the winter, you can draw from those credits, keeping your bills low.
There is a net metering fiscal year, which runs from May-April. On April 30, you will forfeit any credits that you may have with the utility. The year resets on May 1, coinciding with the long summer days to start building up credits again.
In Oregon, the fiscal year runs from April-March. If you still have kWh “in the bank” at the end of March, the utility may credit you or transfer those credits to customers in their low-income program. Having extra credits is rare: Systems aren’t usually designed to produce more than 100 percent of your annual consumption.
No. State law in Oregon prevents homeowner associations from outright prohibiting the installation of solar PV systems as long as the system meets all health, safety and performance standards required by state and local permitting authorities.
We’ve had dozens of customers over the years who belonged to an HOA. We’ve found that many times, the design that we include in our quote is enough to soothe concerns. We are also happy to meet with the HOA board, answer any questions, and go through the state law to show how our system will comply.
Since solar panels tend to last more than 25 years, your roof should be in good condition before you get a system installed.
Panels have additional benefits—once they are in place, they will actually protect your roof by blocking UV rays. Solar panels are surprisingly sturdy and can withstand hail and extreme environments. We recommend replacing your roof before installing solar if it has less than 10-12 years of life remaining.
Depends on the technology and the climate the system is placed in.
Generally, solar electric panels will produce power for 30-50 years. Manufacturers usually warranty the power output for 25 years, but most people agree they’ll continue producing well beyond that.
Some balance of system (BOS) components may need to be replaced before the solar panels lose their effectiveness, including the inverter, which typically has a 10-year or 25-year warranty.
Thanks to our mild weather, we should see extended lifetimes on our systems. A&R Solar also takes care to use best practices developed in our climate. That means you’re getting a system designed for you.
A&R Solar offers an industry-leading 10-year craftsmanship warranty on all our residential solar installations.
The installation piece is fairly straightforward and usually takes between one and three days, depending on system size and installation complexity.
No. Our team does all of the permitting paperwork and engineering for those structures that require them.
For our system installs, we only use our in-house employees, including licensed electricians and installers.
In certain situations, we might contract out non-solar related work like installing membrane roof flashings or drywall repair.
Yes they do. There is evidence that homes with solar sell faster and for more money than comparable homes without.
A study out of California concluded that the premium for which solar homes sell is about the same as what the homeowner paid for the system in the first place. Zillow reported a 4.1% average lift in home appreciation on homes with solar over those without. In the meantime, you’re saving money on your bill every month.
One exception is if the solar system is leased, in which case the home value may not increase, and buyers may be hesitant to assume the lease payments.
So, unlike stainless appliances in the kitchen or a new tile backsplash in the bathroom, the investment of purchasing a solar energy system is preserved by permanently increasing your home’s value.
Find out how it might increase your home’s value at pvvalue.com.
Solar Blog
