One of the most important factors is the amount of sunlight that your roof receives throughout the year. Solar panels work best when exposed to direct and unobstructed sunlight for at least four hours per day.

In general, we get plenty of sunlight in Central Oregon - so much that solar panels are a slam dunk for many if not most homeowners.

Roof Orientation, Pitch, and Size

Whether rooftop solar makes sense for you in particular depends on the orientation, pitch, and shape of your roof. Ideally, your roof should face south or west, have a moderate slope, and have enough space to accommodate the size of the system you need.

Age and Condition of Your Roof

Another factor is the condition and age of your roof. Solar panels are designed to last for 25 years or more, so you want to make sure that your roof is in good shape and can support the weight and installation of the panels.

If your roof is old, damaged, or needs repairs, you’ll want to replace it before installing solar panels. Otherwise, you’d have to remove and reinstall the panels later, which would be costly and time-consuming. We don’t recommend it.

Shading and Obstructions

Shading from trees and other obstructions can have a huge impact on how you answer the question, “Does solar make sense for my home in Central Oregon?”

Shading can reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches your solar panels, which in turn lowers their power output and energy savings. Depending on the amount of shading, you could see a substantial drop in your solar system's performance.

Shading can affect solar panels in different ways, depending on how they are connected and configured. Solar panels are made up of individual cells that convert sunlight into electricity. These cells are usually connected in series within a module, meaning that the current output of the whole module depends on the lowest-performing cell.

If a cell is shaded, it will produce less current than the others, and drag down the output of the entire module. It is similar to how a string of lights goes out when one bulb is broken.

One way to mitigate the impact of shading is to use microinverters or power optimizers, which are devices that optimize the power output of each panel individually, rather than as a string.

These devices can increase the energy production and efficiency of a solar system by allowing each panel to operate at its maximum power point, regardless of shading or other factors. However, these devices also add to the cost and complexity of the system.

The bottom line - If you have a substantial amount of shade on your home in Central Oregon, installing rooftop solar probably doesn’t make sense.

Based in Redmond, Oregon, we serve homeowners who live within a one hour drive of our office. Here are the main areas that we serve. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 541-248-5373 if you have a question about whether or not you’re in our service area.

Redmond, Oregon Solar

If you live in Redmond, you’re our neighbor! We’re located at 342 SE Evergreen Ave, Redmond, OR 97756. We’re just off Highway 97 near Smith Rock Coffee Roasters.

Bend, Oregon Solar

Thinking about installing solar in Bend, Oregon? Let’s connect. We’re a short drive up the road and happy to help with your project. We know what it takes to permit and install solar in Bend, so you can rest easy knowing that your project will be completed on time and within budget..

Madras, Oregon Solar

We’ve completed many Madras solar projects. If you live an Madras and are curious about the costs, savings, and incentives for a solar project, please get in touch. We’re here to help you zero out your electricity bills and achieve energy independence.

Prineville, Oregon Solar

We’re in and out of Prineville all the time, so if you’re interested in a Prineville solar installation, you should give us a call. No other Prineville solar contractor has achieved Master-certified status from SunPower. We’re not only a neighbor in Central Oregon; we’re one of the best solar installers in the country.

The cost of rooftop solar in Central Oregon has a huge range. Your costs in particular will depend on a few factors, including the size of the system, the type and model of the solar panels, battery storage, SPAN Panel installation, the availability of incentives and rebates, the complexity of your installation, and whether or not you use financing.

Getting an estimate is easy - Just give us a call at 541-248-5373.

That said, here are some general guidelines for the cost of solar in Central Oregon. Please note that costs and incentives are subject to change, and you should give us a call for the most up-to-date information.

The average cost of SunPower solar panels in Bend, Oregon ranges between $3.45 and $4.45 per watt. This means that a typical 7.2 kilowatt (kW) solar system, which is enough to power an average-sized home, would cost between about $24,840 and $32,040 before applying any tax credits or incentives.

However, after claiming the 30% federal solar tax credit, your net cost will drop to between $17,388 and $22,428. Then you can subtract the additional incentives from the State of Oregon and Energy Trust of Oregon. For more, check out our case studies for solar in Bend and solar in Redmond.

The amount of time that it takes to install a solar energy system varies depending on factors, such as the weather conditions, availability of materials and equipment, and the number of customers waiting to get projects completed.

On average, it takes between three and four months from the time that you sign a contract to having a solar system installed and connected to the grid in Central Oregon. This includes the time needed for site assessment, design, permitting, inspection, interconnection, and installation.

We can install a typical rooftop solar system in 1-2 days after the solar panels and equipment arrive. However, before we can start the installation, we need to obtain the necessary permits and approvals from the city and the utility company, which can take up to 4-6 weeks.

We also need to order the solar panels and equipment from our suppliers, which can take up to 2-4 weeks. That’s why the total time from signing a contract with us to having a solar system installed and connected can take a few months.

It’s worth mentioning that we handle all the paperwork, permits, and installation for you, so you can enjoy the benefits of solar energy without any of the hassle. We will keep you updated throughout the entire process and ensure that everything is done on time and within budget.