There are a lot of things that you think of when you first hear Oregon. You think about striking mountains, stunning beaches, soccer, and amazing beer.
Solar power isn’t something that comes to mind, even though Oregon has been a leader in environmental policies for years.
If you live in Oregon and you’re thinking about solar power, you want to know if it’s worth it or not. You also want to make sure you choose the right solar power company.
Do you want to know more about getting solar power in Oregon? Keep reading, because we’re going to cover how to find a solar power company and how you can find out if solar panels are right for you.
Benefits of Solar Panels
Why should you have solar panels installed on your home? Since you live in Oregon, you’re likely to value the environment.
Solar reduces your carbon footprint because you’re relying less on the grid to power your home. That will result in a lower electric bill each month. For healthcare facilities, solar power can lower the costs and make healthcare more accessible in rural areas in Southern and Eastern Oregon.
Those savings add up over time.
If you’re looking at solar panels from purely a financial perspective for residences, you’ll be happy to discover that you can boost the value of your home with solar, too. Solar panels can raise your home’s value by an additional 4.1%.
The average value of a home is about $370,000. That turns into a $15,000 jump. That alone can justify the cost of the installation.
You might be wondering if your home will still be powered with solar panels, especially after the recent ice storm that left many without power for days.
It depends on how your solar panel system is set up. The most basic systems still rely on the electric company for some power.
There are systems that you can buy that have a solar battery. It’s more expensive to install, but you will have power when there is an outage.
Does Solar Power Make Sense in Oregon?
Does solar really work in Oregon? It’s true that Portland gets about 144 days of sun a year. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but you can be strategic about your solar panel placement to make the most of it.
You should have solar panels installed on the south-facing side of your home. This will capture the most light of the sun, so you can take full advantage of solar power.
There are other parts of the state that get much more sun. Klamath, Oregon gets more than 300 sunny days a year. See, there’s so much more to Oregon than the stereotypes of rain and clouds.
Finding the Best Solar Power Company in Oregon
Once you realize the benefits of having solar panels installed in your healthcare business, you want to start looking at installers in your area. These tips walk you through the steps of finding the best solar installation company near you.
Solar Experience
The best guideline to start with is to hire a company with solar installation experience. Look to see how long the company has been in existence.
You also want to know if they did other types of contracting work before turning to solar panel installations. A general contractor, electrical contractor, and roofing contractor will bring a unique perspective to your project. They’ll know how to mount your panels to the roof and connect the system to the main power grid.
The State of Oregon doesn’t have a specific licensing program for solar power companies. They do need to be licensed as a contractor according to the size of the project.
They do need to have an electrical contractor license before setting up a business to design and install solar panel systems.
Solar Manufacturer Vendors
Solar panel companies tend to have relationships with more than one solar panel manufacturer. This helps you because you know that you’ll get the right set of solar panels that fit your needs.
They may also have relationships with financial institutions, so you can finance the installation project.
You should make it a point to ask if the solar installer makes a commission on the financing arrangement or if there incentives from the solar manufacturers.
Warranties and Support
There’s always a chance that something can go wrong with your installation. Ask the installer what kind of warranty and support are given after the installation.
There should be separate warranties for the labor and for the solar products. The standard warranty for solar panels is 25 years. There may be additional warranties for the converter and other parts, too.
The labor warranty varies from one installer to the next. Some provide a labor warranty for only 30-90 days. You need to be clear as to what the warranty is and get it in writing.
Get More Than One Estimate
As with any major project, you want to make sure that you get more than one estimate. This will help you make a better decision. You’ll be able to see if an installer prices the project too high or too low.
Ready to Go Solar?
Are you ready to have solar panels installed in Oregon? You can take advantage of solar power, whether you are in the sunny desert areas or in the cloudy forest areas.
Your healthcare facility and employees can benefit from having solar power. Employees will see a higher home value, and your healthcare facility gets to save money on electrical costs. You just need to make sure that you work with the best solar power company in Oregon.
Be sure to visit the Technology section of this site for more ways to use groundbreaking technologies in your healthcare facility.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
