Independent viability reports for 32 locations across California and Oregon — from the largest cities to the Central Oregon high desert around Bend and Redmond — powered by NREL irradiance data and live utility rate detection.
We don't have a report for that location yet. You can generate one from the command line:
python -m solar_fetch YOUR_ZIP --system-kw 4.5 --output report.html
Each report models a 4.5 kW south-facing residential rooftop system using irradiance and weather data from the NREL Developer Network (PVWatts v8). The utility and electricity rate are detected automatically per ZIP; for the three CPUC-regulated investor-owned utilities (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E) we apply current NEM 3.0 export pricing, while municipal utilities (LADWP, SMUD, Anaheim, Riverside) use their own net-metering tariffs. Oregon locations use the state's 1:1 retail-rate net metering (ORS 757.300) with rates from Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, or the Central Oregon electric co-ops.
Viability scores (0–100) combine levelized cost of energy (LCOE), simple payback period, net present value (NPV), solar resource quality, panel orientation, and local market maturity into a single weighted index (25% resource + 50% economics + 15% site fit + 10% policy). A score of 65 or above is rated "Good" for most homeowners. California locations clear that bar easily on high retail rates; Oregon's cheap hydro-heavy electricity stretches paybacks even where the solar resource is excellent, as it is east of the Cascades in Bend and Redmond.
Data sources: NREL PVWatts, OpenEI URDB, EIA rate data, and Berkeley Lab TTS. Started as a San Jose State DATA 201 project; now an independent model. — Explore the ZIP-level heatmaps (California & Oregon) →
Independent research model — not financial, tax, or installation advice.