Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) Increases Solar & Battery Incentives for 2026
The Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) has announce increased solar and battery incentives and adjustments to income-eligibility for low-income solar incentives for 2026. Oregon residents can now qualify for larger solar and battery rebates, and income-eligible households can more easily qualify for discounted solar and battery rates through the ETO’s Solar Within Reach program. ETO […]
Is Solar & Battery Still Worth It After Solar Tax Credit Expires?
For years, the 30% Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) has made installing solar and/or battery backup more affordable for millions of homeowners, allowing them to realize the amazing benefits of solar and battery. But as that solar tax credit incentive phases out at the end of 2025, many are wondering: Is solar still worth […]
5 Signs You Need A Battery Backup System
Power outages, rising utility rates, and the push toward electrification are reshaping how homeowners think about energy. The grid is less reliable than it used to be, while electricity costs continue climbing and more families adopt EVs, heat pumps, electric stoves and other electric technologies. In this environment, a home battery backup system is no […]
What to Do When Your Solar Company Won’t Call You Back
Owning a solar panel system is a significant investment, one that provides lower energy bills, future cost stability, a reduced carbon footprint, and long-term savings. But what happens when your solar company won’t call you back or answer your emails? Or worse, what happens if your solar company goes out of business? Unfortunately, this is […]
Energy Prices & Demand Rising, But Solar & Batteries Offer Protection
Electricity powers nearly every part of modern life, from keeping food fresh in refrigerators to fueling our phones, computers, and even our cars. For decades, U.S. electricity demand remained relatively stable, thanks to energy efficiency improvements and slower population growth. But that era is over. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), electricity consumption […]
How Solar Powers Data Centers
Data centers are the invisible engines of modern life. Every search you make, movie you stream, file you back up, and AI answer you read gets processed in a building full of powerful computers running all day and all night. Those facilities consume a lot of electricity, both to power the servers and to keep […]
Time-Of-Use Energy Pricing in Oregon & How You Can Save with Solar & Battery Backup
Electricity prices are changing in Oregon with the introduction of Time-of-Use (TOU) energy rates. Both Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power have rolled out Time-Of-Use (TOU) or Time-of-Day (TOD) energy pricing plans. Unlike traditional flat rates, these new plans charge different prices depending on the time of day you use electricity. For many households, […]
How Net Metering Works in Washington State
As more homeowners in Washington State explore solar energy, understanding how net metering works has become essential. Net metering is a billing mechanism that allows solar owners to receive credit for the electricity their solar panels generate but don’t immediately use. With energy prices on the rise and renewable energy incentives available, knowing the rules […]
The Hidden Costs of Doing Nothing During Power Outages
The hidden costs of power outages are no longer rare inconveniences; they are an increasingly common and costly part of everyday life in many parts of the United States. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average American household now experiences over eight hours of power outages per year, a number that continues […]
Adding Battery Backup to Solar: A Smart System Upgrade
If you already have solar panels, one of the smartest next steps you can take is adding a battery backup system. While your panels are producing clean, renewable energy and lowering your utility bills, without a battery, that power can only be used in real-time or sent back to the grid (often for less than […]
