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 it without the tax credit?
The short answer? Absolutely. Solar and battery are definitely still worth installing after the tax credit expires.
While the ITC has been a great boost, it’s never been the backbone of solar’s value. Homeowners across the US continue to see strong returns on investment (ROI) for solar energy, thanks largely to rising utility costs, better technology, and new financing options that make solar more accessible than ever.
In this article, we’ll break down why solar and battery backup continue to make financial and practical sense, even after the federal solar tax credit ends. Plus, we’ll explore how new ownership models like TPO (Third-Party Ownership) make it easier than ever to go solar without paying upfront.
ITC Was Boost to Solar, Not the Backbone
The end of the federal solar tax credit has many homeowners worried that solar might not be as good of an investment as it was before. But the truth is that the ITC was just one piece of a much larger picture. The fundamental reasons why solar makes sense (energy independence, long-term savings, budget stability, environmental responsibility, etc.) remain stronger than ever. Solar energy continues to outperform traditional utility power by providing freedom from volatile rates and by delivering reliable, predictable value for decades to come.
What the Solar Tax Credit Did
The federal solar tax credit was designed to encourage solar and battery backup adoption by offering homeowners a 30% tax credit on the total cost of their system. It made solar more affordable and helped jumpstart the clean energy transition across the country. But while the ITC made solar more appealing, it didn’t create the core value of solar energy and battery backup. These core values include solar savings driven by avoided utility costs, increased home value, budget certainty and stability, and long-term energy security. Solar power systems are engineered to pay for themselves through lower bills, reduced reliance on the grid, and decades of free energy production.
Beyond the initial incentive, solar delivers ongoing value every single day. Many homeowners who installed solar five or ten years ago are already enjoying massive savings – proof that the biggest financial advantage of solar comes from owning your power source, not from temporary incentives.
Free Fuel from the Sun
Unlike utility power, sunlight doesn’t cost a thing. Every kilowatt-hour your panels produce is one you don’t have to buy from the utility, and that means huge potential savings that grow every year as rates rise. With no moving parts, low maintenance, and 25-year or longer warranties, modern solar panels are built to keep generating clean energy long after they’ve paid for themselves.
Even as the ITC expires, the economic benefits of solar continue to shine. Homeowners still see tens of thousands in lifetime savings, protection from unpredictable rate hikes, and the satisfaction of knowing their energy comes from an abundant, renewable source. The ITC helped spark the solar movement—but the sun itself is what keeps it thriving.
New Economics of Solar Without Tax Credit
As the federal solar tax credit sunsets, many homeowners might assume the financial case for solar weakens. In reality, the fundamentals that make solar a smart investment are stronger than ever. Utility rates continue to rise, local incentives remain available, and financing options are more flexible than they’ve ever been. Pairing solar with battery storage creates not just savings, but security, independence, and long-term value.
In this section, we’ll explore the new economic landscape of solar power and why it continues to shine as one of the best home improvement upgrades you can make.
Utility Rates Keep Rising, But Solar Can Help!
If you’ve seen your electric bill climb steadily in recent years, you’re not alone. Oregon utilities like PGE and Pacific Power have steadily raised rates to cover wildfire mitigation, infrastructure upgrades, and new grid demands, and they’ve already proposed additional increases in the coming years. In fact, Oregon households have seen electricity costs jump a cumulative 48% for PGE and 73% for Pacific Power in just the last few years, and that trend is expected to continue as the grid ages and demand grows.
Solar gives homeowners an escape from the cycle of never ending utility rate hikes. By generating your own power with solar panels, you can take control of your energy costs and lock in rates that don’t rise over time. Each month, instead of writing a bigger check to the utility, your solar panel system offsets that cost by producing free energy from the sun. Over the years, this price stability and energy independence can save homeowners tens of thousands of dollars and provide insulation against economic uncertainty and inflation. Even without the ITC, solar remains one of the few home improvements that pays for itself and then continues delivering returns year after year.
Local and Regional Incentives Still Exist
Even after the federal credit ends, local incentives remain strong and continue to make solar and battery systems more affordable for homeowners. The Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) provides significant cash incentives for both solar panel installations and battery storage systems, often lowering the upfront cost by thousands of dollars.
ETO is just one entity in one state that provides incentives for solar panels and battery backup. State, local, and independent organizations, as well as many utility companies, provide a wide range of discounts, rebates, and other incentives for solar and battery backup systems. These incentives vary depending on system size, location, and utility, but they can dramatically shorten payback periods and boost return on investment.
Beyond ETO, Oregon’s net metering programs remain a powerful benefit to solar energy. Through net metering, you can send excess solar energy back to the grid during the day and receive energy credits to use at night or when you consume more energy than you produce, essentially banking your sunshine for later. This means your solar system continues saving you money 24/7, even without a large federal tax credit.
There are also regional utility-specific programs and rebates that reward homeowners for adding battery backup or participating in demand response initiatives. These include programs like PGE’s Smart Battery Pilot and Pacific Power’s Wattsmart program, which compensate homeowners for allowing their battery systems to help stabilize the local grid in times of high demand.
Energy policies in Oregon and across the country continue to evolve. The state is investing heavily in renewable energy and grid resilience, so it’s likely that new incentives and rebates will continue emerging – especially for those who integrate solar with batteries or smart energy management technologies.
The bottom line: even without the solar tax credit, there are still many opportunities to make solar affordable and financially rewarding for Oregon homeowners.
What solar and battery incentives do you qualify for? Chat with our solar and battery experts, who will track down every incentive you qualify for. And check out our Oregon Solar and Battery Incentives Guide to research what incentives are available.
Financing Options Keep Solar Affordable
Today’s solar financing options make it possible for nearly anyone to go solar, with options for $0 down and flexible terms that fit nearly every financial situation. Green Ridge Solar partners with trusted lenders like GoodLeap, LightReach, and Dividend, offering low-interest loans, long repayment terms, and multiple ownership options to meet your budget and energy goals. Whether you want to own your system outright or prefer to minimize upfront costs with a lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) through a third-party ownership (TPO), there’s a financing path that works for you.
Even without a federal tax credit, these financing tools make it easy to start saving immediately. Monthly solar financing payments are often near or lower than a homeowner’s previous utility bill, allowing solar owners to immediately see a difference in their monthly expenses and invest in huge future savings. With predictable costs and stable budget, solar owners can more easily plan for their future and nor be surprised by unexpected high energy bills and future utility rate hikes.
Financing also makes solar accessible to more households than ever before. From fixed-rate loans that eliminate surprises to innovative deferred-payment options, modern solar financing turns energy independence into a realistic, affordable goal. The end of the ITC doesn’t mean solar is out of reach – it’s simply entering a new era; one defined by flexible ownership, competitive lending, and the freedom to generate clean energy on your own terms.
Learn more about your solar financing options by chatting with the solar experts at Green Ridge Solar. Our lending partners offer highly competitive rates that make solar affordable and a great investment. And to learn more about No-Money down and fixed monthly payments through TPO solar options, contact Green Ridge Solar today!
Solar Increases Home Value
Solar isn’t just an energy investment, it’s a property investment that can increase the value of your home and property. Studies from Zillow and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory show that homes with solar systems sell faster and for 3–5% more on average, and some regions report even higher values depending on local energy costs and solar adoption rates.
This added value goes beyond simple resale numbers. Buyers increasingly see solar as a sign of a modern, efficient, and future-ready home – one that offers lower monthly expenses, energy independence, and the reassurance of built-in sustainability. Homes with battery backup systems often command higher prices, as energy security and resilience become more desirable features during extreme weather events or grid instability.
Even without the ITC, the equity that solar and battery backup adds helps offset much of the upfront cost and strengthens long-term financial stability. For homeowners who plan to stay in their homes for years, solar becomes a lasting asset that enhances comfort, self-reliance, and environmental responsibility while steadily increasing property value. When combined with decades of energy savings, the return on investment from solar extends far beyond the financial – it becomes a cornerstone of a secure, forward-thinking household.
Learn more about how solar increases home value, and how battery backup attracts home buyers.
Solar + Battery = Protection from Outages & TOU Pricing
As power outages, extreme weather events, and wildfire-related shutoffs become more frequent across Oregon and the US, solar and battery backup is no longer a luxury for many Americans. Solar and battery backup have become essential components of home energy independence. A solar + battery system ensures that you always have reliable power, even when the grid fails. This peace of mind is becoming invaluable as climate-related disruptions and grid instability become increasingly common.
When paired with your solar system, modern batteries like the Tesla Powerwall 3, FranklinWH, and SolarEdge Home Battery provide smooth, silent, and instant backup power when the lights go out. During an outage, your solar panels keep producing energy, and your battery stores the energy for use whenever you need it – keeping your home powered day and night without noise, fumes, or fuel like traditional generators. Whether it’s keeping your refrigerator running, your lights on, or medical equipment powered, battery backup makes your solar system a true energy security solution.
Beyond emergency resilience, batteries also serve as smart energy tools for daily savings. Batteries allow you to store low-cost solar energy and use it during expensive Time-of-Use (TOU) periods when energy rates are most expensive. This strategy can dramatically lower your electricity bill and increase your energy self-consumption, giving you greater independence from the utility. Over the lifespan of the system, these savings can add up to thousands of dollars and further strengthen the already strong financial case for solar and battery backup.
Green Ridge Solar custom designs every solar + battery system to optimize both reliability and return on investment. With smart monitoring technology and automatic switching, you never have to think about your energy management – it just works. Solar with battery backup means more than just savings; it delivers protection, independence, and confidence that your home will stay powered no matter what the future brings.
Get your solar and battery backup analysis today to see how you could benefit from solar + storage.
Solar Creates Budget Stability & Certainty
Rising energy prices make household budgeting increasingly unpredictable, and many homeowners are looking for ways to regain control. One of the most overlooked advantages of solar power is the financial stability it brings. Solar transforms a fluctuating monthly utility expense into a fixed, predictable investment, helping households avoid the stress of rising rates, volatile energy markets, and unexpectedly high energy bills.
For many homeowners, the biggest benefit of solar is financial predictability and long-term peace of mind. Utility prices seem to increase every year, making it difficult to budget for energy costs. By generating your own electricity with solar, you protect your household from those cost increases and gain the certainty of knowing exactly what your energy costs will be year after year.
Whether you finance or own your solar panels outright, solar gives you consistent monthly costs and the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what you’ll pay. When paired with battery storage, it also helps buffer against future utility rate changes and Time-of-Use penalties, since you can store excess energy and use it during expensive peak hours. Over time, this combination of predictability and savings can translate into tens of thousands of dollars in savings.
For families, retirees, and anyone planning long-term, this stability is invaluable. It allows you to budget more effectively, avoid unexpected financial strain, and enjoy greater confidence in your energy future. In a world where nearly every other cost continues to climb, solar remains one of the few investments that truly locks in stability and rewards you with lasting financial security.
How can solar help stabilize your energy costs and budget? Get your solar analysis today to find out! Our solar and battery experts can provide a free quote, estimate your solar savings, and help determine your monthly energy costs. Contact Green Ridge Solar today to get your free solar and battery quote.
Battery Backup: The New Centerpiece of Energy Independence
Battery backup isn’t just for emergencies anymore; it has evolved into the heart of a modern home’s energy ecosystem. Until now, homeowners could take advantage of the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) not only for their solar panels but also for their battery storage systems. That incentive covered up to 30% of the cost of installing solar and/or battery backup, significantly reducing the upfront investment. However, with the expiration of the federal solar tax credit in 2025, that financial boost for battery systems will disappear as well.
Even so, the many benefits of battery backup remain, and they’re more relevant than ever. As more Oregonians face power outages, extreme weather, and rising energy costs, batteries are transforming how households use, store, and control their power. Below, we’ll look at how battery backup continues to shine, offering benefits that go far beyond financial incentives.
Reliable Backup Power During Outages
Battery storage provides dependable, quiet, safe, and immediate backup energy when the grid goes down. Unlike traditional generators that require fuel, maintenance, and manual start-up, solar-powered batteries activate automatically to keep your lights on, your refrigerator cold, and your devices charged and operational. Battery backup systems can recharge from your solar panels during the day, allowing you to stay powered through extended outages without worrying about fuel shortages or noise.
Fighting Time-of-Use (TOU) Energy Rates
With utility companies shifting to Time-of-Use (TOU) energy rate plans that charge more during peak hours, battery backup offers a powerful way to control costs. By storing solar energy when rates are low and using it when rates are high, homeowners can dramatically reduce their monthly electric bills. Smart energy management software built into battery backup systems can automatically optimize when to charge and discharge, maximizing your savings while reducing strain on the grid and extending your energy storage reserves.
Batteries vs. Generators: A Cleaner, Quieter, Smarter Solution
While gas or propane generators once served as the go-to backup option, batteries have redefined what reliable home power looks like. Batteries produce little to no noise, no fumes, and no emissions, and they turn on instantly without any manual effort. Batteries also require virtually no maintenance and can be safely installed indoors or outdoors.
Over their lifespan, batteries save money by eliminating ongoing fuel costs and servicing fees that generators demand, making them a cleaner, quieter, and more convenient alternative to traditional gas and diesel generators.
Read more about the pros and cons of batteries vs. generators and determine which is right for you. You can also contact Green Ridge Solar to learn more about the benefits of battery backup and get your battery analysis.
Boosting Home Value and Future-Proofing Your Property
Homes equipped with solar and battery systems are increasingly attractive to buyers. As energy resilience and sustainability become higher priorities for homeowners, homes with battery storage stand out for their ability to provide comfort and security even during outages. The combo of solar and battery backup can lead to homes that sell faster and at a premium compared to homes without them. Even without the federal tax credit, battery systems continue to enhance your home’s long-term value, offering both practical and financial benefits.
Learn more about how solar increases home value, and how battery backup attracts home buyers.
The Bottom Line: Batteries Offer Energy Freedom & Stability
Even without the federal tax credit, battery backup remains one of the smartest upgrades you can make for home energy security and savings. By combining solar panels with a smart battery, you can lower your energy costs, gain energy independence, reduce your carbon footprint, and gain protection from outages – all while increasing the value and independence of your home. Battery backup is no longer a backup plan, it’s a cornerstone of modern living, giving you control, stability, and peace of mind for years to come.
Get your solar and battery backup analysis today to see how you could benefit from solar + storage.
TPO: A Simpler Way to Go Solar
One of the biggest developments in solar energy is Third-Party Ownership (TPO), which is now offered by Green Ridge Solar as an easy and accessible path for homeowners to enjoy the benefits of solar power. For many people, the biggest barrier to going solar has always been the upfront cost or the uncertainty of long-term maintenance. TPO solves both problems by making solar affordable, simple, and worry-free.
With a TPO solar system, a third-party provider owns, monitors, and maintains the solar equipment installed on your home. You simply pay for the clean power it produces, often at a rate lower than what you currently pay your utility. This means you can start saving money immediately without investing thousands of dollars upfront. There’s often no out-of-pocket cost, no maintenance responsibility, and no performance risk, because the system’s provider handles all servicing and guarantees production.
There are two common forms of TPO, and each works a little differently:
- Solar Lease: With a solar lease, you pay a flat monthly fee to use the solar system, very similar to renting. Your payment doesn’t fluctuate with energy production. Whether your panels generate a lot of electricity or only a little in a given month, the cost remains the same. This gives you predictability in budgeting, though it may not reflect actual usage.
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): With a PPA, you only pay for the electricity the solar panel system generates, measured per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The rate is typically set lower than your local utility’s rate, so the more the system produces, the more potential savings you see. Unlike a lease, this ties your cost directly to the system’s output.
In addition to financial ease, TPO solar provides peace of mind. The solar panel system is monitored around the clock, and if any part of the system underperforms or fails, it’s repaired or replaced at no cost to you. Homeowners get all the advantages of solar (lower bills, predictable costs, energy independence, and clean energy) without any of the upkeep or uncertainty.
TPO is especially beneficial for homeowners who don’t qualify for tax incentives, don’t want to commit to long-term financing, or prefer flexibility if they plan to move homes within the next 5 to 10 years. It’s also a great solution for those who want to support renewable energy and lower their carbon footprint without the responsibilities of ownership.
For many families, TPO represents a new era of solar access – one where anyone can benefit from clean energy and lower costs, regardless of tax status or budget. Whether you choose ownership or a TPO arrangement, Green Ridge Solar makes it easy to take control of your power and enjoy the savings that solar provides.
Contact Green Ridge Solar today to see if TPO solar is right for you. We can provide a free solar analysis and discuss options that make solar affordable, easy, and hassle-free with no upfront costs and fixed monthly payments.
| TPO (Lease/PPA) | Solar Ownership | |
| Upfront Cost | Low or $0 | Moderate–High |
| Who Owns the System | Third Party | Homeowner |
| Who Gets the Tax Credit | Third Party | Homeowner |
| Maintenance | Provider handles all | Homeowner/Installer |
| Monthly Payment | Fixed or escalating | Loan or none (after payoff) |
| Long-Term Savings | Moderate | Highest |
| Home Value Increase | No | Yes |
| Contract Length | 20–25 years | None |
| Early Termination | May incur fees | Flexible |
| Best For | Budget-conscious or short-term homeowners | Long-term homeowners seeking max ROI |
Why Solar Is About More Than Incentives
While the ITC helped lower costs and encouraged the solar movement, the true value of going solar runs much deeper. And these benefits will remain strong long after the tax credit expires. Solar power is not just an investment in technology; it’s an investment in financial security, energy independence, property value, and environmental responsibility. It empowers homeowners to take control of their energy future, improve their community, and contribute to a cleaner planet.
- Energy independence: Produce your own power instead of renting it from the utility. Solar gives you true control over your energy costs and resilience from unpredictable rate hikes. Once installed, your solar panels generate electricity every day, drastically reducing or even eliminating your electric bill. And once your solar panels are paid off, you will essentially be producing free energy for decades to come!
- Home value and resilience: Homes with solar (especially when paired with battery backup) are more desirable, sell faster, and command higher prices than those without solar and batteries. Battery-equipped systems offer protection from outages and make homes stand out as efficient, future-ready, and sustainable, which increases their attractiveness and value in the eyes of home buyers.
- Environmental impact: Each solar system offsets thousands of pounds of CO₂ emissions every year, significantly reducing your household’s carbon footprint. Over 25 years, one average home solar system can offset the equivalent of burning tens of thousands of pounds of coal or driving hundreds of thousands of miles in a gas-powered car.
- Community benefits: Supporting local installers like Green Ridge Solar helps strengthen Oregon’s renewable energy economy. It keeps jobs, training, and resources in local communities, promotes energy self-sufficiency, and supports the region’s broader clean energy goals. Choosing a local company means your dollars stay here, fueling growth, innovation, and sustainability close to home.
Green Ridge Solar: Your Partner for the Next Era of Solar
At Green Ridge Solar, we’ve helped thousands of Oregonians power their homes, farms, and businesses with clean, reliable energy. We tailor every project to meet each customer’s unique needs. We believe that going solar isn’t just about adding panels to a roof; it’s about creating long-term energy solutions that save money, build independence, and support a cleaner, more resilient Oregon.
Whether you’re looking to own your system, lease it through TPO, or add battery backup for resilience and savings, our experienced in-house team designs and installs systems built for lasting performance and savings. We start with a free, customized analysis of your property and energy use, helping you understand exactly how solar and storage can benefit you. Every system we install is designed to maximize efficiency, return on investment, and long-term reliability.
At Green Ridge Solar, we handle every step of the process from design, permitting, and installation to monitoring and long-term service, with no subcontractors and no surprises. Our certified local installers and dedicated service team ensure that your system performs optimally for decades to come. We’re not just a solar company; we’re your energy partner, here to help you save money, protect your home, and gain control of your power future with trusted local expertise you can rely on for years to come.
The Future of Solar Is Brighter Than Ever
The 30% solar tax credit may be ending, but the savings and energy independence are here to stay. Even without federal incentives, solar and battery backup remains one of the most reliable, rewarding, and forward-looking investments a homeowner can make. The key drivers behind its value (rising utility rates, more frequent power outages, advancing technology, and increasing demand for energy independence and resilience) continue to strengthen every year.
With rapidly rising energy costs, smarter battery storage solutions, and new ownership options like TPO, there’s never been a better time to take control of your power. Solar energy still delivers immediate and long-term savings, adds significant value to your home, and shields you from the financial uncertainty of ever-changing electricity rates. And with battery backup, you gain something money can’t buy: peace of mind during outages and energy freedom for decades to come.
The sun isn’t going anywhere, and neither is the opportunity to save. Now is the time to invest in your energy future and protect your home from rising costs and grid instability.
Go solar for the freedom, the savings, and the peace of mind.Green Ridge Solar will be here every step of the way to help you harness the power of the sun and stay powered for years to come.
Contact Green Ridge Solar today for your solar and battery quote. Learn how much you could save and how you could benefit from solar + Storage, and use our Solar Calculator to estimate your solar savings.
