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Homeowners can now receive from the Oregon Department of Energy to lease a solar photovoltaic system.

Changes made Jan. 1 to the state’s Residential Energy Tax Credit program, which provides tax incentives to individuals who install energy saving systems or appliances, allow homeowners who lease solar systems to qualify for credits. Portland solar installer SolarCity has offered solar leasing programs in other states since 2008 but just began offering the service in Oregon this month to Portland General Electric and Pacific Power customers, according to Rob LaVigne, regional director for SolarCity’s Portland office.

When a homeowner leases a rooftop solar photovoltaic system from SolarCity, he receives a discount on his utility bill for the renewable power the system generates, which depends on the size of the system installed. A $20-per-month leasing fee is also paid to SolarCity, LaVigne said. For example, a 3-kilowatt system would receive a 30 percent discount.  A $100 utility bill would then be reduced to $70. Add in the $20 lease fee, and a solar lease customer would save around $10 a month.

LaVigne expects the availability of Residential Energy Tax Credits to make solar leasing a popular option for homeowners in 2011 and plans to hire ten new positions this year to keep up with demand.

“When we make legislative decisions like the (Residential Energy Tax Credit program), they create jobs,” LaVigne said. “I expect we’ll have some people sign up for solar leasing by the end of the week.”