Oregon: Solar Electric Buy-Down Program

Energy Trust of Oregon’s Solar Electric Incentive Program, launched in May 2003, is available to customers of Pacific Power and PGE who install new photovoltaic (PV) systems on new or existing homes, commercial and community buildings, farms, and municipal facilities. Incentive amounts are as follows:

Residential

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  For systems owned by homeowners: $0.75/watt-DC (W) installed for Pacific Power and PGE customers, with a cap of $5,000 per site.


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  For systems owned by a third party: $0.75/W-DC installed for Pacific Power and PGE customers, with a cap of $5,000 per site.

Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural

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  Pacific Power customers: $1.10/watt for systems 0-35 kW; $0.50-$1.10/watt for systems 35-200 kW; Systems limited to 1,000 kW and incentives limited to $100,000.


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  PGE customers: $1.20/watt for systems 0-35 kW; $0.60-$1.20/watt for systems 35-200 kW; Systems limited to 1,000 kW and incentives limited to $120,000. The non-residential maximum for systems installed on or after May 24, 2013 is $300,000.

Non-Profit, Government

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  Pacific Power customers: $1.10/watt for systems 0-35 kW; $0.50-$1.10/watt for systems 35-200 kW; Systems limited to 1,000 kW and incentives limited to $100,000.


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  PGE customers: $1.20/watt for systems 0-35 kW; $0.60-$1.20/watt for systems 35-200 kW; Systems limited to 1,000 kW and incentives limited to $120,000. The non-residential maximum for systems installed on or after May 24, 2013 is $300,000.

Energy Trust will provide referrals to contractors from their Trade Ally Network (self-installed systems will not qualify). The solar contractor selected advises the customer on installation options and best siting designs to obtain the maximum performance and satisfaction from the solar electric system. The contractor will provide a system quote that estimates the PV system annual performance, installation date, and the cost after Energy Trust incentive deductions. After Energy Trust approves the customer's PV system, the buy-down incentive will be paid to the solar contractor and deducted from the final cost.

Other available incentives include a residential tax credit through the Oregon Department of Energy of $2.10/W, up to $6,000 maximum (up to $1,500 may be claimed per year).