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Helping You Make Sense of Solar

September 15th, 2021

Interested in solar energy but not sure where to start? Our energy advisors at OREMC can help you navigate the option that make the most solar sense for you.
Here are some key things to consider:

Do you own your home?

If you are a renter or live in a neighborhood with an HOA that does not permit rooftop/yard installations, OREMC Cooperative Solar gives you the opportunity to purchase solar power without the investment and maintenance costs or concerns about ownership, location, roof orientation and condition. Our energy advisors can help you determine the right amount of solar for you.

 How much sun is in my area? 

Homes with a south-facing exposure and minimal shading offer the best solar potential. If your home is shaded by trees, the cooling benefits and related energy savings of those trees may outweigh the cost of a solar investment and the need for tree removal to expose the roof, or adequate space for a yard array, assuming you have the ideal exposure.

What condition is your roof in?

Is your roof new or less than five years old? If not, a roof replacement may be in order BEFORE a rooftop solar installation to avoid costly removal or replacement of your solar panels during future roof repairs or replacement, due to the potential long life of solar panels. 

How much solar do I need?

The capacity of a solar system to generate electricity is measured in kilowatts. One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts. The average home system produces between 4-10 kilowatts per day. The amount of daily production will vary on time of year, angle of the sun, hours of sunlight (or lack) and clouds. Your OREMC energy advisor can review your annual electricity consumption, identify opportunities for conservation and help you determine the optimal solar system size for you.

How much does solar cost?

The average home system costs between $3,000 and $5,000 per kilowatt, or upwards of $50,000.  Costs will vary depending on the available space, the condition of your roof and orientation of your home. Consult a qualified contractor for more information.

Will rooftop solar eliminate my power bill from OREMC?

In most cases the answer is no. As you consider rooftop solar, it is important to gain a full understanding of all aspects of the system. This includes the installation and maintenance costs, the amount of generation you may get from your system, and what your ongoing backup power costs are estimated to be from OREMC. Our energy advisor can review with you your hourly home consumption and current energy costs and what the solar offset might be based on the size of your proposed system installation.

What are your goals for solar?

Know why you are considering “going solar.” Is it to save money? Do you want to go off the grid? Or do you simply want to be more green, reduce your carbon footprint and utilize more renewable energy? Understanding why you want to go solar will help you better understand how much solar you need, if you need storage, and what the long-term, overall investment will cost you.

What is the Cooperative Solar option?

With Cooperative Solar you get to choose the right amount of solar energy you want to subscribe to from OREMC’s two megawatt community solar system. Blocks of solar energy are subscribed to and billed monthly. Each block produces approximately 120-200 kWh per month. The solar energy generated from your share of the total capacity will be credited back to you. With Cooperative Solar you get to choose the right amount of solar energy you want to subscribe to from OREMC. Blocks of solar energy are billed monthly and produce approximately 120-200 kWh per month. The solar energy generated from your share of the total capacity will be credited back to you on your monthly bill.

Want to learn more. Let OREMC’s energy advisors help you make solar sense.

800-262-5131

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