Plug-In Solar in Oregon
Oregon doesn't have a plug-in solar law. Because a 2026 bill dealing with 1,200 W kits never left committee, the usual utility net metering rules remain in effect.
- No plug-in solar law in Oregon yetBill HB 4080
- Utility rules are in effect.Plug-in wattage isn't capped.
- That's 15.5 cents.EIA's average home price per kWh, from Jan to Aug 2026.
- $142 each year.In Portland, an 800 W kit, before any utility solar fee applies.
Approval from your electric utility comes first, before you connect in Oregon. Use an inverter with anti-islanding listed to UL 1741, or listed to UL 3700.
Oregon Plug-In Bills
- Under HB 4080 (2026), up to 1,200 W would have been allowed. You would have filed a declaration with the utility, and landlord, HOA and condo bans would have been limited. The bill died in House committee when lawmakers adjourned on 6 Mar 2026. Open the bill
Oregon's Rules Right Now
Hooking up: Inverter systems with generation up to 50 kW and export up to 25 kW qualify for Tier 1 review under net metering rules set by the PUC (OAR 860-039), and utilities may not charge a Tier 1 application fee.
Net metering: Residential systems of up to 25 kW get net metering at PUC-regulated utilities. Extra kWh earn the full retail rate as credits, and credits left over when the annual cycle ends go to low-income programs.
Kit Savings in Oregon
In Portland, 1 kW of panels makes 1,149 kWh a year, according to PVWatts, and a home in Oregon pays 15.5 cents for each kWh in 2026 so far. By placement, the figures for an 800 W kit break down like this:
| Where the panels go | kWh a year | Saved a year |
|---|---|---|
| Tilted south on a stand | 919 | $142 |
| Upright on a railing | 579 | $90 |
| Facing east or west | 735 | $114 |
Each Month in Portland
- Jan31
- Feb57
- Mar72
- Apr92
- May104
- Jun101
- Jul121
- Aug109
- Sep95
- Oct66
- Nov40
- Dec30
kWh that an 800 W kit makes when tilted south.
Kit Prices for Oregon
| Kit | kWh a year | Saved a year | Pays back in | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Solar Supplier 1180 W EZ1 Kit | 1,356 | $210 | 4.3 years | $899 |
| Bright Saver 360 W Balcony Kit | 414 | $64 | 6.5 years | $414 |
| EcoFlow STREAM 800 W Kit | 919 | $142 | 7.7 years | $1,099 |
All tilted south and used at home. Compare all kits
Things to Know in Oregon
- Home electricity got pricier fast: in 2023 the average residential price was 12.73 cents/kWh, and by 2024 it had reached 14.70 cents/kWh.
- Exported solar earns you the full retail rate under Oregon's utility rules, yet any leftover credit at the end of the year supports low-income programs instead of returning to you.
Do You Rent or Use a Balcony?
The mount is your landlord's or HOA's decision, while the hookup falls to your electric utility. Read more about balcony solar and solar for apartments.
Key Utilities
- Portland General Electric (PGE)
- PacifiCorp (Pacific Power)
- Umatilla Electric Cooperative
Steps to Take in Oregon
- Pick a size: about 460 kWh a year comes from a 400 W kit in Portland, and about 1,379 kWh comes from a 1,200 W kit. Run your own
- Keep an eye on HB 4080 when lawmakers meet in the next session. If the bill passes, you may not need that approval step any more.
Sources
- HB4080 2026 Regular Session - Oregon Legislative Information System
- OR HB4080 | 2026 | LegiScan
- OPB: Oregon lawmakers seek to bring attention to balcony solar, but safety issues linger
- Division 39 Net Metering Rules, Oregon Secretary of State
- EIA State Electricity Profile tables, Oregon 2024
- EIA Table 5.6.B, 2026 prices and NREL PVWatts, Portland
Look at every state's overview or a neighbor: Washington, Idaho, Utah.