New Section 232 tariffs on imported solar components take effect on December 4, 2026, increasing costs for equipment manufacturers nationwide. Consequently, residential solar system prices in the Pacific Northwest are projected to rise by 7 to 15 percent starting in 2027.
Homeowners can avoid these cost increases by finalizing their solar projects early. Power Northwest is offering 2026 pricing to customers who sign system agreements by October 31, 2026, securing lower rates even if installation occurs after the deadline.
If you have been thinking about going solar, there is a deadline you need to know about.
Starting December 4, 2026, new Section 232 tariffs on imported solar components take effect, and they are going to change the price of solar for everyone — including for homeowners here in the Pacific Northwest. Below we cover exactly what is happening, why it matters, and what you can do about it before the change hits.
What is actually changing
The vast majority of solar equipment sold in the United States — panels, cells, wafers, and the polysilicon they are built from — relies at least in part on imported materials. While domestic production of solar equipment has increased in recent years, very few producers have a 100% domestic supply chain. That means that from December, just about every manufacturer and corner of the industry will face higher costs for imported solar equipment and raw materials.
What it means for prospective solar customers
Based on current supplier pricing and industry projections, we expect the tariffs to increase the cost of a typical Power Northwest residential solar system by roughly 7 to 15% starting in 2027. The exact number will vary by project — system size, equipment brand, and component mix all play a role — but the direction is clear. Prices are going up, and this is the last stretch of time to avoid that increase.
Here is the important part: customers who sign and lock in their system with Power Northwest by October 31, 2026 will secure 2026 pricing, even if their installation is completed after that date. This is our first deadline for locking in current rates, and we are setting it deliberately early, ahead of December 4, to give our design, permitting, and installation process enough runway to get every locked-in project done properly rather than in a scramble at the finish line.
If you have already received a proposal from one of our sales consultants, or you have been meaning to look into solar but have not got around to it, this is the moment that decision has a real dollar value attached to it. Waiting until next year will mean paying more for your solar system.
Choosing Power Northwest for your solar project
As a Portland-based certified B Corporation that has served homeowners across Oregon and Southwest Washington since 2019, our job is not just to sell systems — it is to help transition our community to renewable energy. We want to make that process as easy as possible, and part of that is delivering solar to as many people as we can at today’s lower costs.
These looming tariffs may mean homeowners need to act more urgently on their solar project than planned, but we are not here to rush anyone. For those interested in maximising the value of their residential solar system, we will carefully evaluate your electricity usage and design a solution tailored to your home.
It is also worth checking what you can still stack on top. Our guide to 2026 Oregon solar incentives covers what is currently available, and how much solar costs in Portland gives you a realistic starting figure.
What to do next
If you are on the fence, the best next step is a free, no-obligation solar savings estimate. It takes about two minutes and will give you a sense of what you can save with solar at today’s pricing.
Solar is already one of the smarter financial decisions a homeowner can make. Locking in your price before October 31 just makes it a little smarter.
Ready to see your numbers? Get your free quote from Power Northwest today.
Have questions about how the tariffs might affect your specific project? Reach out to our team — we are happy to walk through the details with you.
