Portland: new solar, installed by licensed electricians
New solar for Portland homes from licensed electricians, with the permit filed through Portland Permitting and Development.
5.0 on Google | 106 reviews | CCB 202002
Prescriptive or engineered: Portland has two permit paths
Portland Permitting and Development runs solar permits online through Development Hub PDX (DevHub), and the solar contractor applies and coordinates inspections. There are two review processes, prescriptive and engineered systems. Applications are reviewed in the order received, and engineered systems may take longer. We tell you which path your roof falls on before you sign anything.
If your property is in a plan district, historic district, or conservation district, special rules may apply. The city suggests checking zoning on PortlandMaps, and we do that for your address.
Two utilities in one city
Portland is split between PGE and Pacific Power. PGE says it serves most of SW and NW Portland, much of SE, a large part of North, and a small part of Northeast, and that anything outside those areas is Pacific Power. Both utilities are covered by Energy Trust of Oregon solar incentives for their Oregon customers. Your bill names your utility, and the utility decides who takes the interconnection application, so we ask for it on the first call.
Older housing, rainy skies
The median Portland home was built in 1966, the oldest of any city on our list, and 52 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied (Census ACS 2020-2024). Older homes often need a panel look before solar goes on. Portland also sees measurable precipitation about 157 days a year, so we size systems on annual production.
Read first: solar guides for Portland
Our own write-ups for homeowners in your area.
- Portland solar guide for homeowners
- Multnomah County solar panels
- Solar permits in Portland and Oregon City
Roof near the end of its life? See roof first, or solar first, or ask us about solar removal and reinstall in Portland.
Who does the work
Energy Solutions has been doing this since 2013. Licensed electricians are on our own crew, with 50+ years of combined team experience, under Oregon CCB license 202002. We are rated 5.0 on Google across 106 reviews.
Near Portland
Portland is in Multnomah County. Nearby: Beaverton, Milwaukie, Lake Oswego, Gresham. Ready? Request a free quote or call (971) 526-5545.
Questions we hear a lot
Where do I apply for a solar permit in Portland?
Online through DevHub with Portland Permitting and Development. Your solar contractor applies and coordinates inspections.
Is my Portland home with PGE or Pacific Power?
It depends on the address. PGE serves much of the city and Pacific Power covers the rest. Your bill names the utility.
Does a historic district change a Portland solar permit?
It can. The city says special rules may apply in plan, historic, and conservation districts. We check your address on PortlandMaps first.