Five percent a year, like clockwork
Portland General Electric's average residential electricity price has risen from 11.55 cents per kWh in 2015 to 18.19 cents in 2024, an increase of about 57 percent, or roughly 5.2 percent per year. The chart shows Portland General's average residential price by year. Hover any point for the exact figure.
The life of a PGE solar credit
- Summer
Long Oregon days overproduce; surplus kWh bank one-for-one as credits on Schedule 203, offsetting consumption at the full retail rate.
- Winter
Short cloudy months draw the bank down. On the Time of Day option, credits generated in a period apply to that period first, then cascade from the highest-rate period downward.
- March
The annual cycle closes with the March billing period. Any credits still unused transfer to PGE's low income assistance program at avoided cost, and the bank resets to zero just before the sun returns.
Current residential rates
Portland General residential rates are shown below, from the utility's published tariffs and the public Utility Rate Database. Rates vary by plan, season, and usage and change over time.
| Plan | Energy charge | Fixed / basic |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Schedule 7, effective July 8, 2026 | About 19.29 cents/kWh all-in for the first 2,000 kWh in a month and 20.40 cents above that, including all Schedule 100 adjustments. | $13.00/month basic charge (single family) plus about $4.00 in fixed program adders |
| Optional Time of Day | 30.3 cents/kWh during the 5 to 9 pm weekday peak, 11.1 cents midday, and 5.5 cents overnight and weekends, with first year bill protection above 10 percent of the default plan. | $13.00/month basic charge |
PGE rates have climbed hard recently: a 5.6 percent residential increase in January 2025 and about 5 percent more ($7.97 a month) on April 1, 2026, delayed past the winter moratorium under Oregon's FAIR Act. Rates now sit about 57 percent above 2015 levels after averaging around 5.2 percent annual growth.
Full retail netting, with a March deadline
Oregon still runs classic retail net metering: exports from residential systems up to 25 kW offset consumption kWh for kWh, monthly surpluses roll forward as kWh credits, and on time of day rates generation is credited in the period it occurs and drawn down highest rate period first. The catch is the calendar: the annual cycle ends with the March billing period, and any credits still unused transfer to PGE's low income assistance program at the avoided cost rate rather than carrying into the new year. Zeroing out in March, right before the sunny season starts rebuilding your bank, is a deliberately solar friendly design. With retail near 19 to 20 cents and rising about 5 percent a year, kWh for kWh netting keeps PGE one of the stronger simple payback territories in the West.
The quiet Northwest solar case
PGE's rate trajectory does the persuading: up 5.6 percent in January 2025, about 5 percent more in April 2026 under the FAIR Act's post-winter timing, reaching 19.3 to 20.4 cents all-in. Full retail netting means every one of those cents is also the export rate.
The March reset is the one design constraint: leftover credits are donated, not paid out, so a system sized far beyond annual usage gives its surplus away every spring. Sized to roughly match consumption, Oregon's rules are about as favorable as the West offers outside full-retail holdouts like LADWP. Get a site-specific quote that models the March cycle.
What rising Portland General rates could cost you
Portland General rates have risen about 5.2% per year. Enter your bill to see what that pace of increase could compound to over time, and what you have likely already absorbed. This is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Estimate only. Projects your current bill forward at Portland General's historical average rate increase (5.2% per year, from EIA data); it assumes your usage stays the same except for any add-ons you select. Actual rates depend on your usage, rate plan, and the utility's future filings, and are not guaranteed. This is general information, not financial advice.
Portland General service area
Portland General serves The Portland metro area and the northern Willamette Valley, powering nearly half of Oregon's population and two thirds of its commercial and industrial activity..
To confirm whether a specific address is served by Portland General, check your electricity bill. A ZIP lookup tool is coming to this site.
Full data and sources
Per-utility prices are computed from EIA Form 861 (bundled residential revenue divided by sales), which reconciles to the EIA's published figures. These are public-domain U.S. government data.
| Year | Portland General (c/kWh) |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 11.55 |
| 2016 | 11.4 |
| 2017 | 11.42 |
| 2018 | 12.01 |
| 2019 | 12.28 |
| 2020 | 12.5 |
| 2021 | 13.24 |
| 2022 | 13.64 |
| 2023 | 15.2 |
| 2024 | 18.19 |
Sources: EIA Form 861, Sales to Ultimate Customers (2015 to 2024) · Portland General Electric, Schedule 7 residential tariff · Portland General Electric, Schedule 203 Net Metering tariff · Oregon PUC, April 2026 rate announcement
FAQ
Does Portland General Electric have real net metering?
Yes, full retail kWh-for-kWh netting under Schedule 203 for residential systems up to 25 kW. Exports offset consumption one-for-one, monthly surpluses roll forward as kWh credits, and on time-of-day rates credits apply to their generation period first, then highest-rate periods.
What happens to unused PGE solar credits?
The annual cycle ends with the March billing period, and any remaining credits transfer to PGE's low income assistance program at the avoided cost rate rather than carrying forward. The bank then starts empty for the new cycle.
How fast are PGE rates rising?
About 5.2 percent per year on average over the past decade per EIA data, including 5.6 percent in January 2025 and roughly 5 percent, about 7.97 dollars a month, on April 1, 2026. Oregon's FAIR Act now delays residential increases past the winter heating season.
What does PGE power cost right now?
Effective July 8, 2026, about 19.29 cents per kWh all-in for the first 2,000 kWh each month and 20.40 cents beyond, plus a 13 dollar basic charge and about 4 dollars in fixed program adders. A time-of-day option prices the 5 to 9 pm weekday peak at 30.3 cents against 5.5 cent overnight power.