Renewable Energy Development Grant Program

March 25, 2022

Summary

The window for submitting grant applications under the most recent opportunity announcement closed December 15, 2015. Announcements, application materials and more information are available on the program's website.

The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) offers competitive grants to renewable energy projects as part of ODOE's Energy Incentives Program.  ODOE created this competitive grant program in 2011, and it took effect on January 1, 2012.  This program replaces the formerly-available Business Energy Tax Credit.  Grants are funded by the proceeds of a tax credit auction, in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Revenue.  The budget is set at $3 million per biennium, but grant awards cannot exceed the proceeds of the tax credit auction. The current award opportunity, which closes December 15, 2015, includes $1.5 million in available funds.

A variety of renewable energy technologies are eligible to receive a grant, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, biogas, landfill gas, geothermal, wind, wave, tidal, and ocean thermal. Eligible systems must not exceed 35 MW of nameplate capacity. Applicants must be a trade, business, rental property owner or nonprofit organization located in Oregon. Interested applicants must fill out an application and mail it in to ODOE.  There is a $500 application fee and a 1.25% fee for projects selected for technical review.  Grant applications are awarded points and the applications with the highest number of points will be awarded grants.  For more information on the point system, see Oregon Administrative Rules 330-200-0000 to 330-200-0150.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector: State
Category: Financial Incentive
State: Oregon
Incentive Type: Grant Program
Web Site: http://www.oregon.gov/energy/At-Work/Pages/Renewable-Energy-Grants.aspx
Administrator: Oregon Department of Energy
Start Date: 1/1/2012
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:
  • Geothermal Electric
  • Solar Thermal Electric
  • Solar Photovoltaics
  • Wind (All)
  • Biomass
  • Hydroelectric
  • Geothermal Heat Pumps
  • Landfill Gas
  • Tidal
  • Wave
  • Ocean Thermal
  • Wind (Small)
  • Hydroelectric (Small)
  • Geothermal Direct-Use
  • Anaerobic Digestion
Incentive Amount: Varies by project
Maximum Incentive: Up to $250,000, or 35% of total project costs

Authorities

Name: OAR 330-200-0000 to 330-200-0150
Date Enacted: 8/15/2012
Name: HB 3672
Date Enacted: 8/5/2011
Effective Date: 9/29/2011
Name: HB 4079
Date Enacted: 3/16/2012
Effective Date: 6/4/2012

Contact

Name: Public Information Officer - ODOE
Organization: Oregon Department of Energy
Address: 550 Capitol St. NE, 1st Floor
Salem OR 97301
Phone: (503) 378-4040
Email: askenergy@oregon.gov

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.