Thank you for your long-standing commitment to clean energy. When you signed up for PGE’s Solar Payment Option, you became one of the region’s early solar leaders — and your contribution has made a lasting impact. As your contract comes to an end, you may have questions about what’s next. We’re here to help.
Why is my Solar Payment Option contract ending?
The Solar Payment Option allowed you to sign a 15-year contract with PGE to purchase the power generated by your home or business solar system at a special rate. With your contract nearing its 15-year term, you have the option to transition to the Net Metering program, available to all PGE customers with solar.
What are my options for continuing to get value from my solar system?
You have two options:
Net Metering: You can enroll in PGE’s Net Metering program by signing a new contract. This option allows you to continue using your solar electricity to offset your home’s or business’s electricity use. Any excess energy will be credited to you and saved for use later in the year. This credit will offset energy you’d otherwise purchase from PGE. Review our Net Metering page for more information.
Disconnect and switch to Basic Service: If you choose to disconnect your solar system from the grid, you’ll no longer receive payments or credits from PGE, and your system would no longer be “grid-tied”. To disconnect, please reach out to an installer or electrician.
What are the differences between Net Metering and Solar Payment Option?
The Solar Payment Option used two meters — one to track your solar generation and another to track your usage. You received a premium payment for your solar production. With Net Metering, we use one bidirectional meter to track both solar energy sent to the grid and energy drawn from the grid. Excess energy generated by your system goes to the grid, and you’ll receive credits to offset the cost of your future electricity use.
Can customers transition off SPO early and move to NEM?
No. The Solar Payment Option contract must run its full 15-year term before transitioning to Net Metering. You can only switch once your contract ends.
What will happen to my second solar meter? Will I still have to pay a solar meter charge?
A PGE crew will come by to safely remove and disable it and you will no longer be charged the second meter fee. This removal will take place within a few months after your Solar Payment Option contract ends. The good news is, you should not experience any power outages during the process. If there are concerns, like the meter being in a hard-to-reach place or behind a locked fence, contact PGE Customer Service at 503-228-6322 to schedule a time convenient for you.
Will I earn as much on Net Metering as I did on the Solar Payment Option?
It depends on your contract. The Solar Payment Option included two types of payments: credits for the solar produced that month and a check (VIR payment) covering the balance above the offset cost. If you or a third party you assigned were receiving a monthly check payment from us, the earnings through Net Metering may be less than what you were receiving under the Solar Payment Option. Your credits under Net Metering will reflect the retail price of electricity instead.
I’m also enrolled in Time of Day. Will that be affected?
No. If you’re enrolled in Net Metering, you can still participate in PGE’s Time of Day rate option. Solar credits will first apply to on-peak energy use, then mid-peak, and finally off-peak use.
I'm also enrolled in Equal Pay. Will that be affected?
Once you enroll in Net Metering, your account will be removed from Equal Pay. We recommend waiting for at least six months of history under Net Metering before re-enrolling to ensure your Equal Pay amount aligns with your bill.
I’m also enrolled in Auto Pay. Will that be affected?
No. Your Auto Pay will not be affected.
Are there other options available to me now that I’ve switched to Net Metering?
Yes! Now that your contract has expired, you can modernize your solar system to better match your current energy use or add battery storage. Please contact PGE if you plan to make changes to your system to ensure they align with your interconnection agreement.