With so many solar companies to choose from, we know how daunting it can be to find an installer you can trust with your home’s solar system. To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best solar companies in Portland, OR, as rated by our SolarReviews experts and Portland residents who’ve already gone solar.
We look for solar companies with owners who understand that when they sell you a solar system, you expect them to be there for the next 25 years to fix any issues that may arise. Here are the top companies we recommend for solar in Portland:
Company Description
Blue Raven Solar was established 2014 with one goal in mind--to provide homeowners across America with a simple and affordable way to get the best solar technology. Our solar company provides homeowners with easy options to get solar all while saving every mon...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
9 / 10
Time in business
10 / 10
Profitability of installer
5 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
6 / 10
Quality of brands sold
5 / 5
Vertical integration
5 / 5
Transparency about reputation
5 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
3 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
10 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
6 / 10
Litigation and background
10 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
Negatives:
1 / 5
Company size and location
2 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Katherine Jackson | Portland, OR | 03-14-2025
Blue Raven Representative Megan- NC
I had the pleasure of working with Megan from Blue Raven Solar Systems, and I can confidently say that she is an exceptional representative for the company. From the very first interaction, Megan displayed an incredible level of integrity and professionalism. She is extremely knowledgeable about the products Blue Raven offers, and it was evident that she truly understands the ins and outs of the solar industry. I had the opportunity to sit down with several solar panel companies, but Blue Raven stood out to me as the most genuine. Megan’s approach was straightforward, transparent, and very thorough—qualities that I greatly appreciated as I made my decision. One of the things that impressed me the most about Megan was her constant availability. She was quick to respond to all my questions, no matter how big or small, and always provided clear and concise answers. This made the whole process smooth and stress-free, and I felt supported every step of the way. Megan is the type of professional you want representing a company—reliable, responsive, and someone you can trust. The installation process was also top-notch. The team that came to set up the solar panels was fantastic—efficient, friendly, and professional. It’s clear that Blue Raven takes great care in selecting their installers, just as they do with their representatives like Megan. I wholeheartedly recommend Megan and Blue Raven Solar Systems to anyone considering solar panels. If you’re fortunate enough to have Megan as your representative, you’re in great hands. But even if you’re not, I hope you’re lucky enough to work with someone just as knowledgeable and dedicated. After going through the entire process, I truly feel that my money was well spent, and I have no hesitation in recommending this company to others. Thank you, Megan, for making this experience so positive and for representing Blue Raven so well! Katherine Jackson
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
disenfanchised customer | 12-05-2024
Installation a NIGHTMARE!
We started the process with Blue Raven in May of 2024. We had our son also sign up for the system. Blue raven was to install his system first. They dropped off the materials (right in front of their garage door) and 2 days later came and said the plans were drawn wrong and they couldn't install the system. It took 2 months and phone calls to Utah to get the materials picked up. Meanwhile we discovered that the panels we were sold were not the newer panels that were more effecient. So we asked for the effecient panels. This dalayed the project because they had to rewrite the plan. That was in late June. Installation was finally scheduled for September 1 (cancelled by blue raven), mid September (Cancelled by blue raven) October 10 (Cancelled by blue raven) and finally installed on October 14 (but no electrician was available so that happened on October 16. Each time we had to take off from work because someon had to be home for the installation. It is now December 5 and the system is still not operational because blue raven cannot give the power company correct plans and specs for the system. We have made many calls to Utah, talked to many people, and have gotten nowhere. I would stay away from this company at all costs. They may have a good product (I can't tell because they can't get it operational) but they cannot seem to install it and make connections with power companies.
See full reviewCompany Description
ION Solar is a premium, full-service solar provider. ION offers affordable solar solutions that give customers the benefits of solar with little or no up-front costs. Full-service includes a custom-designed system using premium equipment and they handle all of...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
9 / 10
Time in business
10 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
10 / 10
Profitability of installer
5 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
4 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
10 / 10
Quality of brands sold
5 / 5
Vertical integration
3 / 5
Transparency about reputation
10 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
4 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
Negatives:
1 / 5
Company size and location
2 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
2 / 10
Litigation and background
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Linda wilson | Ashland, VA | 03-22-2025
They did the job they cleaned up and I have no problems
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
Crystal Kuster | Colorado Springs, CO | 03-20-2025
Bad bad sales experience!!
Just like another complaint was issued about sales tactics. We received the same experience. We were promised a sales tax credit that we could use to pay back half of the solar panels. My fiancé is a combat related veteran and only gets paid a certain amount by the VA and we told the sales person that. The sales person assured us that we would receive that tax credit even though there was no taxable income, and that was not the case so now we are on the hook for a higher payment because there is no tax credit we found out that the tax rebate was nonrefundable And is not like the child tax credit which is refund refundable. please educate yourselves people to not take advantage of others especially veterans. This is the worst sales experience I’ve ever had and I do not recommend to my own to my worst enemy. Also educate yourselves people on the difference between refundable and nonrefundable tax credit, especially when people say that they have no taxable income more than once
See full reviewCompany Description
Purelight Power is the top-rated and largest solar company in Oregon and Iowa. We pride ourselves on providing a premium customer experience, fastest installs and offering $0 out-of-pocket programs.TransparencyMost companies will say whatever they need to in o...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Elite
Rating breakdown
Positives:
7 / 10
Time in business
5 / 5
Transparency about reputation
5 / 5
Vertical integration
3 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
5 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
10 / 10
Profitability of installer
10 / 10
Litigation and background
3 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
10 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
3 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
7 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
5 / 5
Reliability of consumer reviews
Negatives:
1 / 5
Company size and location
4 / 10
Quality of brands sold
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
- Roofing - Roof Replacement
Latest Good Review
Reggie Peters | Salem, OR | 01-29-2025
Salem Oregon - 17 Panels
The Purelight team was professional and helpful throughout the sale, build, and follow-up. They use Tesla products which is unfortunate, but to some extent that's the best / cheapest option right now. They were willing to answer all questions satisfactorily, including the things other reviews/reddit pointed to as potentially-problematic. Shoutout to Gar especially for giving me great support at the tail end and making me feel taken care of and supported.
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
Donna Baslee | Pasco, WA | 03-14-2025
Dishonest salesman
If you choose PURELIGHT for your solar power make sure you research everything very carefully. The salesman totally lies to me about an income tax rebate. Check it out first.
See full reviewBest solar installers in Portland, OR
| Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Northwest | Elite | Portland | Get Quote | |
| Blue Raven Solar | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
| ION Solar | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
| Purelight Power | Elite | Medford | Get Quote | |
| Earthlight Solar & Energy Solutions | Unrated | - | Get Quote | |
| Smart Solar Energy | Unrated | Portland | Get Quote | |
| A&R Solar | Unrated | - | Get Quote |
Best solar companies for home battery installations in Portland
Batteries have become increasingly popular because they take an intermittent energy source like solar and turn it into a reliable and consistent supply of electricity. We recommend getting a solar battery quote if you want a backup power source or if your utility company doesn’t have a net metering program that buys excess solar energy at the full price of power, as you could save a little extra on your electric bill.
Here are some Portland companies that install panels and solar battery storage systems:
| Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Solar | Very Good | Portland | Get Quote | |
| Solar Energy Solutions | Unrated | Portland | Get Quote | |
| SolTerra | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
| Energy Solutions LLC (OR) | Unrated | - | Get Quote | |
| Elemental Energy | Unrated | Portland | Get Quote |
How to find the best solar panel company near you
Picking a solar company is the most important decision you make when going solar. You need to trust them to drill holes in your roof, help you navigate financing and incentives and provide you with 25+ years of customer service.
Check out this video where our founder, who also founded a successful solar installation company, explains what to look for when choosing the best solar company near you.
Top things to consider when choosing a solar company in Portland:
Years in business
One of the first things to look at when finding a company is how long they have been in business. We suggest looking for companies that have been around for at least five years, as the longer it has been in business, the more likely it is you’ll have a positive installation experience.
Companies with five or more years of experience will probably have established after-sales service and warranty support. It signals that they aren’t a company in it to make a quick buck; they’re in it for the long haul.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, which is why you should also keep a few other factors in mind.
Licenses, insurance, and certifications
Solar companies that are licensed, insured and hold certifications take their business seriously. Look for companies that have NABCEP Certified professionals or certified electricians on staff and are properly insured, so their workers, and you, are protected.
Financing options
Not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on a solar panel installation. So, you’ll want to find a company with solar financing options that work for you. Ask for quotes for various types of financing plans to see which one will work best for your budget. Solar loans are often your next best choice if you can’t pay in cash. But, if you don’t pay federal income taxes or can’t qualify for a loan, finding a company that offers solar leases or power purchase agreements might be the right move.
Services and products offered
Don’t choose a company that can’t complete the job that you want to be done. If you need an energy storage system, get quotes from companies that install batteries! Maybe you want a particular brand of panels or an electric vehicle charger installation. Ask the company if they provide those services or carry those brands so you don’t have to settle for less.
Customer review scores
Customer ratings give valuable insight into how a solar company actually operates and treats its customers. Read SolarReviews, Google and Yelp reviews to understand the company’s installation process, sales practices and overall customer service. But remember that some companies incentivize customers to leave positive reviews, so make sure you read reviews with some scrutiny.
Warranty
Any reputable solar installation company will offer a workmanship or labor warranty that covers any damages that may occur during the installation process. We recommend using an installer with at least a ten-year labor warranty.
Some installation companies, like SunPower, include a system performance guarantee. This promises you’ll get a certain amount of electricity from your solar panels and is an excellent added protection.
Portland incentives and rebates
Solar incentives and rebates can cut the cost of installing solar in Portland by thousands of dollars. The most significant incentive is the 30% federal solar tax credit, available to any taxpayer in the country when they purchase solar panels or battery storage.
Some cities, counties, states and utility companies offer additional solar incentives, saving homeowners even more money. Here are the solar incentives available in Portland:
| Incentive | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program | State | Rebate Program |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems | State | Property Tax Incentive |
How much can you save with solar incentives?
What to look for in solar quotes in Portland
Once you’ve found a few companies you like, you can start getting solar quotes. You can get a better deal when you get quotes from multiple solar installers; we suggest getting at least three quotes. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for comparing quotes and what questions you should ask installers.
System size and energy production
All solar quotes should include the size of the system and how much energy it is projected to produce. Most of the quotes you get will probably be in the same ballpark. But, if one is drastically larger or smaller than the others — ask about it! Maybe one installer included shading from a tree, while another based its estimates on having that tree removed.
If you choose reliable installers, you can trust that these estimates will be as accurate as possible. But you can always double-check using the SolarReviews solar calculator and enter the information received in your quotes.
Pricing
You should know as much as possible about how much the solar panels cost. Make sure you know both the total cost of the system and the price per watt of solar installed. The cost per watt makes it easier to compare prices between quotes and gives you a better idea of how fairly the system is priced. The average price of solar is about $2 to $3 per watt in Portland, so anything in that range is a fair price.
Financing
Financing is one of the most important things to look for in your solar quote. There are a few different things to keep an eye out for, depending on what type of solar financing you’re using.
If you’re looking to use a solar loan, you should ask the company for both a cash quote and the financed quote. Solar loans include something called dealer fees, which can sometimes add 20% or more to the total cost of your system in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s worth comparing what dealer fees and interest rates you’re quoted from different companies to get the best deal possible.
If you want a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you’ll want to look for an escalator clause in the contract. The escalator clause outlines how much your payments will go up every year. Ideally, this should be lower than the rate at which electric prices increase in your area, typically about 3% annually. If the escalator rate is higher than this, you could end up paying more than if you hadn’t gone solar at all!
Payback period
Some quotes may include when you’ll break even, meaning when your panels have saved as much as you spent on them.
If it’s not explicitly listed on the quote, you can compare any savings estimates they provide to the system’s total price and get a rough estimate of when your panels will pay themselves off. The shorter the payback period, the better.
Equipment
Good quality solar installers will carry good quality equipment. So if you pick an installer you trust, you can expect reliable products. But, it can’t hurt to research and ask the installer questions about what would be going on your roof.
Most solar panels installed today are about 400 watts in size and have efficiency ratings above 19%. Higher wattage and efficiency panels can produce slightly more electricity but may add a price premium. You’ll want to make sure the solar panels have the industry standard 25-year product and performance warranties.
Frequently asked questions about solar in Portland
How much do solar panels cost in Portland?
How much can solar panels save in Portland?
Do I need a solar battery in Portland?
How can you pay for solar panels in Portland?
What are the best solar companies for a solar lease in Portland?
What are the best solar companies for zero-down solar loans in Portland?
How SolarReviews rates installers
SolarReviews developed our Expert Rating criteria to make it easier for homeowners to find solar companies they can trust. It’s not just about the consumer reviews or the products they sell - it’s about how they treat their employees, how they support their customers, and if they run an honest business.
We used our team’s extensive knowledge of the solar industry to create a data-based scoring system for rating solar companies that encompasses all of the most important things to consider when picking the best solar company, including:
- Background checks
- Brand quality
- License and insurance
- Vertical integration
- Profitability
- Transparency
- Consumer reviews
- Loan options
- Local service
- Responsible pricing
Learn more about the SolarReviews Expert Rating system.
Andy is arguably the most qualified rooftop solar expert in America. He is in a unique position, having founded a large solar company but now being independent of any particular company. He has appeared on CNBC, has been referenced in public hearings concerning the rooftop solar industry ( such as the recent CPUC NEM 3 decision) and has been referenced by many major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and many others.