RENEWABLE RESOURCES

Solar

New solar electric incentives effective November 9, 2009

Energy Trust has lowered its commercial and residential solar electric incentives, as announced to all solar electric trade allies in an email from Kacia Brockman on October 19. The new rates are effective November 9, 2009. All new incentive applications will be calculated at the new incentive rates.

Please update your website, brochures and contracts with the new incentive rates immediately. As a solar electric trade ally, it is your responsibility to convey accurate program information to your customers.

Solar electric project limit increase

We are increasing the number of solar electric projects for which a trade ally can reserve Energy Trust incentives at one time in order to allow for more activity in Portland General Electric service territory. Beginning November 9, 2009, the active project limit will be 30 solar electric projects, with no more than 12 of those projects in Pacific Power territory, and no more than 12 non-residential projects.

Energy Trust maintains an active project limit to help ensure that a) incentives are reserved only for projects likely to be completed, b) the incentive budget is not fully subscribed early in the year and c) incentives are distributed through as many trade allies as possible. This limit has become a barrier for some contractors wanting to grow their businesses. Our incentive budget will support such growth in PGE service territory, but not in Pacific Power territory, so we are responding by increasing the limit as described.

This change only applies to solar electric projects. Solar water heating trade allies are still subject to a limit of 12 active solar water heating projects at a time (separate from the solar electric limit). Please contact at 503.445.7610 with any questions.

City of Portland receives solar grant

Congratulations Portland! As one of 16 U.S. cities to receive a stimulus grant for Solar America Cities Special Projects, Portland will receive $400,000 over the next two years. The two-year grant will facilitate a continued partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy and the City of Portland to execute the Neighborhood Solar Initiative—a complementary suite of neighborhood-focused activities and programs designed to lower the barriers to solar installations for residents. The City's goal is to reach one megawatt of residential PV capacity in Portland by the end of 2011. Read more about the grant award.

Solar projects use GreenStreet Lending

GreenStreet Lending by Umpqua Bank (an Equal Housing Lender) offers loans with preferred rates and no fees to Energy Trust participants who work with one of our trade allies. To date, GreenStreet loans have funded $1.8 million in energy efficiency and solar projects. The solar industry is taking advantage of GreenStreet loans—half of the loans funded in September 2009 were for solar projects.

For more information, visit Energy Trust's Renewable Energy—Solar program pages, or call 1.866.368.7878.