Home / News / Why Go Solar in 2025?

Is one of your goals this year to lower your household expenses? Or to reduce your reliance on the power grid? If so, there’s no better time to start thinking about installing solar panels and power storage.

Here are some of the main reasons people are going solar in 2025.

Energy Resilience

People are using more electricity than ever before, with AI data centers projected to drive massive demand in the next few years. With this surge comes a need for greater power generation capacity — which exceeds the current infrastructure. The power grid simply isn’t growing fast enough.

Additionally, many U.S. communities in Oregon, California, and Idaho have experienced planned outages (known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS). These shutoffs occur in places of high wildfire risk and are intended to prevent the electric system from being a source of ignition.

Given the increasing demand for electricity, growing wildfire risk, and a changing political landscape, energy resilience is becoming more important. Most households — and businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies — can’t afford not to keep essential services running in the case of a long-duration outage.

If you’re a homeowner, losing power can result in spoiled food due to loss of refrigeration, limited access to water if you rely on an electric well pump, and safety concerns for individuals who rely on medical devices requiring electricity. Generating solar power is a smart way to protect your household from unexpected power disruptions.

Economics

Due to available tax credits and decreasing material costs, most people who purchase a solar system can recoup their investment in seven to ten years. This often means significant long-term savings. For example, someone who has a $150/month power bill (on average) can save up to $1,800 annually on their power bills. Over ten years, that’s a savings of $18,000.

Installed solar panels can also increase a home’s value (by 6.8 percent on average, according to a 2024 analysis of Zillow data). Note: a solar array that is financed and not owned by the homeowner cannot technically be considered to add value to your home.

Tax credits have also increased in recent years and provide a great bonus for installing a solar system on your home or business. (There are federal incentives of 30%, federal tax credits, and, depending on available funding, incentives from the state — for Central Oregon residents, incentives from The Energy Trust of Oregon and Oregon’s Department of Energy.) 

Environmental Impact

Solar is not only a win for your home but for the environment. For each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power that is generated, you will substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions like CO₂ and other dangerous pollutants. Solar also reduces water consumption and withdrawal.

Oregon residents can also earn credits for excess solar power they generate and supply to the grid (by way of net metering). This is yet another way installing solar a solar system can help you give back to your community. (As we like to say, when you do good, you feel good.)

Make 2025 Your Most Energy-Efficient Year Yet

Whether you’re interested in solar power for economic reasons, to improve your energy resilience, or to make a positive impact on the environment, this source of renewable energy is a game-changer for Central Oregon homeowners and businesses. Contact us for a quote to learn more about your options in 2025 (and beyond).