Rising electricity prices have homeowners across the U.S. looking for solutions. One Oregon homeowner sparked an important conversation on Reddit by sharing their analysis of why energy prices in Oregon are rising, prompting a discussion of clean energy options.
While the original poster's deep dive into the state's electricity prices focused on how individual and commercial Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PGE) ratepayers subsidize PGE's losses, commenters shared their own takes on the situation.
"The current admin has cut 400m in funding for clean energy projects in Oregon," one user responded. "Fire mitigation, reconductor and maintenance are seeing an increase in materials cost due to tariffs. It's not looking good."
Homeowners on the forum discussed how installing solar energy has helped keep their energy costs low. "I pay $17.60/month for all my energy usage including HVAC, hot water, cooking and charging my EV," one Redditor shared. "My own little bubble of energy independence feels pretty good."
Adding solar energy to your home not only protects you from rising electricity prices but also lowers your utility bills. Pairing your solar system with a battery storage system makes you climate resilient in the face of extreme weather events.
TCD's Solar Explorer can help you learn more about solar options in your area and within your budget. For homeowners looking to keep installation costs down, leasing programs are a great option. Palmetto's LightReach program, for example, has a subscription plan that can reduce your utility rate by up to 20%. The best part? Even if you decide to lease panels, you can still take advantage of certain federal tax credits.
If you're looking to purchase a solar system for your home, EnergySage is another trusted Solar Explorer partner that can provide you with competitive bids from vetted installers in your area, saving you up to $10,000 on installation costs.
Once you add solar energy to your home, you open the door to even more potential savings. Pairing solar panels with other electric appliances, such as an energy-efficient heat pump, can further lower your utility costs. To learn more about different heat pumps within your budget, check out TCD's HVAC Explorer.
As you make eco-friendly updates to your home, Palmetto's free Home app enables users to unlock up to $5,000 in additional rewards, which can go toward more home upgrades.
Redditors continued to discuss the benefits of going solar.
"We installed solar panels two years ago," one user wrote. "Our current electricity bill is a credit of $80. They pay me!"
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