Oregon Public Broadcasting

A major San Francisco-based solar company wants to put solar panels on your roof, and it wants to make it cheap.

Solar City is announcing Thursday a program that would allow Oregon households to put panels on their roofs without taking out a big loan. Rob Manning has more.

Oregonians interested in putting solar panels on their roofs have often balked when they see the price tag.

It can cost $30,000 or more. State and federal tax breaks can reduce that cost, over time, but that doesn’t fix what Multnomah County commissioner Jeff Cogen says is the biggest problem.

Jeff Cogen: “The challenge that so many people have, is coming up with the money up front.”

And that’s what Solar City believes it has solved for customers of Portland General Electric and Pacificorp.

Say you want a solar panel.

Solar City CEO Lyndon Rive says his company can put the solar panel on your roof, but you don’t wind up paying any extra – because you’ll save on your utility bill.

Lyndon Rive: “If your electric bill is, say $50 a month, and you decide to get a solar system from Solar City, your electric bill might be reduced by $30. So, your new electric bill might be $20. But your solar payment would be $30. So net you’ll be the same.”

That $30 solar payment would go to Solar City. The company would also get the same tax breaks to offset installation you could’ve gotten.

Commissioner Cogen says there are loan programs out there – and some people may want to buy, and therefore own, their own panel. But he likes the Solar City model, too.

Jeff Cogen: “It’s a lot like what we at Multnomah County did on our county buildings, which is essentially taking the financing out of the equation, and making solar doable, even without having to front the money.”

Some renewable energy advocates just hearing about the program are interested to learn more.

They want to ensure it is a good deal, especially for taxpayers, who’ll help subsidize what Solar City calls its “Pure Power” program.