Making Solar Equitable Program in Oregon - EnergyBot

Making Solar Equitable Program

May 30, 2025

Summary

To make going solar easier and more affordable for eligible nonprofits, tribes, and affordable multifamily housing projects, Energy Trust of Oregon offers a Solar Development Assistance incentive of $2,500 — to help determine the potential of a solar or solar + battery storage projects — as well as increased solar installation incentives that are higher than regular incentives. Incentive amount is dependent on the system size and the electric utility service territory the system is located in.

To be eligible for the increased solar incentives, the property must fit one of the following categories:

  • Owned and operated by one of the nine federally recognized tribes of Oregon.
  • Affordable multifamily property where at least 50% of the property’s dwelling units associated with the project, are and shall remain dedicated for residents who are at or below 80% area median income for at least 10 years after project completion.
  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is a customer of Portland General Electric or Pacific Power, is registered with the Oregon Secretary of State and has a stated mission and track record of delivering programs directly benefiting communities and individuals including, but not limited to, Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, communities experiencing lower incomes, federally recognized Indian tribes, rural communities, coastal communities, communities with limited infrastructure, and other communities and individuals traditionally underrepresented in public presses and programs to incent and advance solar energy installations.

Incentives for Portland General Electric customers are as follows:

Project cap size for all solar projects is 360 kW-DC, battery projects must have a minimum capacity rating of 3 kWh

  • Solar for Tribes: $1.00/W up to $50,000
  • Solar for Affordable Housing: $0.70/W up to $42,000
  • Solar for Qualifying Nonprofits: $0.50/W up to $30,000
  • Battery Storage Incentives: $450/kWh up to $13,500

Incentives for Pacific Power customers are as follows

Project cap size for all solar projects is 360 kW-DC, battery projects must have a minimum capacity rating of 3 kWh

  • Solar for Tribes: $1.00/W up to $50,000
  • Solar for Affordable Housing: $0.65/W up to $39,000
  • Solar for Qualifying Nonprofits: $0.50/W up to $30,000
  • Battery Storage Incentives: $450/kWh up to $13,500

Program Overview

Implementing Sector: State
Category: Financial Incentive
State: Oregon
Incentive Type: Rebate Program
Web Site: https://www.energytrust.org/incentives/making-solar-equitable/#tab-two
Administrator: Energy Trust of Oregon
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:
  • Solar Photovoltaics
  • Lithium-ion
Incentive Amount: Solar Development Assistance: $2,500
Battery Storage Development Assistance: $5,000
Solar for Tribes: $1.00/W up to $50,000
Solar for Affordable Housing: $0.70/W up to $42,000 (PGE); $0.65/W up to $39,000 (Pacific Power)
Solar for Qualifying Nonprofits: $0.50/W up to $30,000
Battery Storage Incentive: $450/kWh up to $13,500
Maximum Incentive: Solar for Tribes: $50,000
Solar for Affordable Housing: $42,000
Solar for Qualifying Nonprofits: $30,000
Battery Storage: $13,500
Eligible System Size: Cap for all solar project types is 360 kW-DC

Contact

Name: Making Solar Equitable
Organization: Energy Trust of Oregon
Address: 421 SW Oak Street, Suite 300
Portland OR 97204
Phone: (877) 777-4018
Email: solar@energytrust.org

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.