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Home : Public + Nonprofit : Office Buildings : Solar Pool Heating

Solar Pool Heating

Preheat your facility’s commercial pool with energy from the sun and give your water heater a break. Energy Trust offers cash incentives for commercial solar pool heating projects—incentives vary based on calculated energy savings and average 10-15 percent of the total project cost. When paired with federal and state tax credits, projects can pay for themselves in a little as four years.

Energy Trust Incentives

PGE/Pacific Power customers using electric water heating: $0.10 per first-year kWh savings
NW Natural/Cascade customers using gas water heating: $1.50 per first-year therm savings

Maximum incentive amount is 35% of project cost (typically 10-15%)

Tax Credits

  • Oregon: 50% of maximum eligible cost, claimed over five years (10% per year)

Note: Solar pool heating systems are not eligible for the federal investment tax credit.

  • You must be an Oregon customer of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural or Cascade Natural Gas.
  • All projects must be approved by Energy Trust prior to installation.
  • Systems must be installed by a qualified Energy Trust trade ally contractor. Self-installed systems do not qualify.
  • All system components must be new.

A solar pool heating system is an investment for your business. Like any investment, it will require research, planning, and a financial commitment. The steps below will get you started:

  1. Consider your budget, water heating costs (whether electricity or natural gas), roof life, roof area and sun exposure.
  2. Get bids from several solar trade ally contractors.
  3. Find project financing, if necessary. GreenStreet Lending offers preferred rates, no closing costs and no loan fees.
  4. Select a contractor.
  5. Apply for your Oregon Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) before starting your project. Your contractor will provide the form and assist you. If you are a public or nonprofit organization, you will work with your contractor to apply for a BETC Pass-Through Option.
  6. Apply for your Energy Trust incentive before starting your project. Your contractor will provide the form and assist you.
  7. Wait as your contractor installs your solar water heating system.
  8. After Energy Trust verifies the installation, receive your incentive check from Energy Trust. If you are a public or nonprofit organization, you will work with your BETC Pass-Through Partner to receive proceeds from the Partner.
  9. Claim your state tax credit (if applicable).
    • Submit the BETC certificate you received from Oregon Department of Energy with your state tax return.

All required forms will be supplied by the trade ally contractor that installs your system. You can preview the form below:

Have questions? Call us at 1.866.368.7878.