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The upfront cost of solar has been the largest barrier to more customers installing photovoltaic panels on their homes. To that end, of Portland has begun offering long-term loans to utility customers participating in the state’s .

The feed-in tariff system allows utility companies Portland General Electric, Pacific Power and Idaho Power to pay customers who have solar panels for the power they produce. The amount of power a system produces is deducted from the customer’s electricity bill. Obsidian plans to offer loans that cover up-front costs of a system and in return will receive the incentive payments from the utility until the loan is paid off. The loan must be repaid within 10 to 12 years.

“A lot of our customers are having issues finding typical forms of financing for any home improvements,” said Kip Barrett, director of operations west for Sunlight Solar. “Looking at alternative forms of financing such as Obsidian’s loan program has become important to our business.”

The second round of sign-ups for the state solar feed-in tariff program will begin Oct. 1.