Solar Opportunities - Oregon

Solar Offerings and Incentives

All across Oregon, it is possible to find a qualified contractor to install rooftop solar on homes and businesses. Depending on where you live, you may be eligible for a limited time offer of discounted purchase prices or may be able to purchase solar power without actually installing the equipment on your property.  These community or shared solar opportunities are listed below.  Of course, you can always install solar on your home by hiring a qualified solar installer, even if you don’t live in one of these program areas.  If so, don’t forget to claim the available state and federal tax incentives .

State and Local Incentives

Residential Energy Tax Credit

This is a tax credit for residential energy systems including photovoltaic systems. Owners, renters, and third-party owners of the system  who pay Oregon income taxes are eligible for this tax credit. Further eligibility requirements can be found here.

Small-Scale Energy Loan Program (SELP)

This program was created in 1981 in order to encourage local, small-scale energy projects and it is administered by the Oregon Department of Energy. The program aims to provide low-interest loans for projects that will save energy, produces electricity using renewable resources, uses recycled materials to create products, use alternative fuels, or reduces energy consumption during construction or operation of another facility. More information can be found here.

Solar Electric Incentive Program   

This program offers rebates for electricity produced by solar photovoltaic systems. Further eligibility requirements and information on your rebate are available here.

Solar Water Heating Incentive Program

 This program offers rebates for solar water heat and solar pool heating. The rebate varies by sector, utility, location, and technology. More information on eligibility and more details on what rebates you could receive is available here.

Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing- Local Option

In Oregon, the state has authorized towns to offer PACE financing. This program allows property owners to borrow money to pay for clean energy systems. This program is a local option, so check with your local government to find out if it is available in your town. Eligibility requirements and more information can be found here.

Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

A federal-level investment tax credit (ITC) is now available to consumers wanting to purchase small wind turbines, solar panels, or geothermal heat pumps.  The ITC, written into law through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, is available for equipment installed from Oct. 3, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2016. The credit covers 30% of the equipment cost, though some technologies have a credit cap of $2000. More details and a complete list of eligible technologies can be found here.

Local programs

Rogue Solar

This program is a community based bulk-purchase solar initiative that aims to help residents and businesses overcome the logistical and financial challenges of going solar. The program has preselected contractors and equipment as well as workshops to help residents understand the process.

Eligibility: Jackson and Josephine county residents

More information can be found here or contact Dan Moore at dmoore@rvcog.org.

Solarize Southern Oregon

 Solarize Southern Oregon is a non-profit organization that aims to help people go solar. This program is a community based program that offers information, guidance as well as access to  group-purchasing programs in a number of southern Oregon counties.

Eligibility: The non-profit is currently working with Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, Jackson, Klamath  and Lake counties.

More information can be found here.

Green Power Partners

In this program, United Power offers its customers 100 kWh blocks at commodity pricing. 100% of the money put into the program is reinvested in renewable energy electric power production.

Eligibility: United Power Customer

More information can be found here.

Solar Pioneer II

In this program customers can buy ¼, ½, or 1 or more full solar panels. A full panel requires a $619.25 one-time payment. The electricity produced by these panels is then credited to the customer’s account over the next 17 years. There are also zero interest loans available to those who cannot pay the full sum.

Eligibility: Ashland Municipal Electric Utility customers.

More information can be found here.