Home / News / Building Resilience: Why Solar Is a Wise Investment in Changing Economic and Political Times

If you read the first post in our “Building Resilience” series, you know that solar panels and battery backup systems can provide peace of mind, protect your budget, and keep your home powered even when the grid goes down.

However, resilience is more than weathering storms or blackouts. It’s also about understanding how changing economic conditions and political shakeups — of which there are many in 2025 — can impact your household, and making smart energy decisions with full confidence.

What’s Changing for Oregon Homeowners?

Between headlines about inflation, utility rate hikes, and political debates over clean energy, it’s easy to feel uncertain about the future. This year, we’ve been hearing from many Oregonians who are asking:

• Will the 30% federal solar tax credit stick around?
• Are state and local incentives safe?
• Are tariffs and supply chain issues making solar more expensive?
• Is now still a good time to invest in solar?

These are great questions to be asking, and they’re exactly why building resilience is so important.

Why Act Now? Incentives and Policies Are in Flux

For the past few years, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has provided a generous 30 percent federal tax credit for solar and battery systems, making renewable energy more affordable for thousands of Oregon families.

But as of summer 2025, Congress is actively debating whether to roll back or end these credits sooner than planned, possibly as early as this year. State programs like Solar Within Reach and Energy Trust of Oregon rebates are still available, but funding and eligibility can change year to year.

In short: if you want to maximize your savings, there’s no time like the present. Waiting could mean missing out on thousands of dollars in incentives.

Solar and Battery Storage: Certainty in Uncertain Times

Utility rates in Oregon have climbed steadily in recent years, and there’s no sign of that trend slowing down. Pacific Power alone increased residential rates by 9.8 percent for 2025, following several double-digit hikes since 2022. These rising costs make energy bills less predictable and more burdensome for households.

Conversely, with solar, you can lock in lower energy costs, reducing your reliance on the grid and protecting your household from unpredictable rate hikes.

And, with battery storage, you can keep your home running smoothly during outages, whether they’re caused by wildfires, storms, or grid maintenance. As grid instability becomes a more frequent concern in growing areas like Bend, local energy generation (and battery storage) is a practical form of resilience.

Making Smart Energy Moves in Unpredictable Times

We’re not here to sound alarms or create panic. Our goal is to empower you with accurate, up-to-date information so you can make the best decision for your family. For over 20 years, we’ve provided education, resources, products, and services that have helped Central Oregonians make smart energy moves. From day one, we’ve made our business about offering honest advice and custom solutions.

If you’re considering solar, now is a smart time to act. In unpredictable economic and political times, solar can help you build a more secure, resilient future (no matter what comes next).

Ready to take the next step? Contact us for a complimentary consultation.