At Energy Trust, we believe solar is for everyone. That’s why we work to ensure all customers can benefit from solar power, including communities of color, people experiencing low and moderate incomes, and the organizations that serve these communities. And communities can be stronger and more resilient when solar projects include battery storage to provide backup power for essential equipment during outages.
To make going solar easier and more affordable for eligible nonprofits, tribes and affordable multifamily housing projects, we offer increased solar installation incentives that are higher than our regular incentives.
You may also qualify for a battery storage incentive that reduces the cost of adding backup power. And the Solar Development Assistance and Battery Storage Development Assistance incentives can help you determine the potential of your project up front.
Your organization may also qualify for other grants or rebates and an Energy Trust solar trade ally can help you connect with those resources (see the Financing tab below).
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Establish your eligibility.
Read More >You must be an Oregon customer of Portland General Electric or Pacific Power and working with an approved Energy Trust solar trade ally contractor to be eligible for incentives. To qualify for increased incentives you must represent a recognized tribe, an affordable multifamily housing project or a qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving specific communities. See complete eligibility guidelines under the Details tab.
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Get proposals from Energy Trust solar trade ally contractors.
Do you want to pursue grant funding or need more information to determine if a Solar or Solar + Storage project is the right fit? Then start with Energy Trust Solar Development Assistance and Battery Storage Development Assistance incentives to offset the upfront cost of a solar feasibility report that will provide you with a custom system design and cost-benefit analysis. Or, if you are farther along with your project or already have funding identified, you may just need bids for the project design and installation. Either way, we can connect you with solar trade ally contractors who can give you a proposal and get you started. We recommend comparing two or more bids so you can make the best choice for your needs.
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Select your contractor.
Once you receive proposals from contractors, the choice is yours. See our guide to choosing a contractor and comparing bids. Your contractor will handle all the paperwork for your system, prior to installation. Your Energy Trust incentive will be paid directly to your contractor, who will deduct the incentive amount from your invoice, reducing the upfront costs. Your trade ally can also help you apply for any other incentives you may be eligible for.
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Professionals will install and verify your system.
Energy Trust helps protect your investment by reviewing the plans for your system to make sure that it will qualify for incentives and that it meets our rigorous technical standards. In many cases, once a project is complete, we will visit to verify the system was installed properly.
Energy Trust Incentives
To help you determine the solar potential of your project, Energy Trust offers Solar Development Assistance and Battery Storage Development Assistance incentives. We also offer increased solar installation incentives for nonprofit organizations, tribes and affordable multifamily housing to make solar more affordable and accessible, as well as battery storage incentives. The incentive amounts depend on the size of your system and your electric utility. Incentives are subject to funding availability and may change at any time. Check with your trade ally contractor.
Portland General Electric Customers
| Planning Incentives | Incentive Amount | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Development Assistance | $2,500 maximum | Customer or project type is one of the following:
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| Battery Storage Development Assistance | $5,000 maximum | Customer or project type is one of the following:
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| Installation Incentives | Increased Incentive Amount | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Solar for Tribes | $50,000 maximum | $1.00/watt Project size cap: 360 kW-AC |
| Solar for Affordable Housing | $45,000 maximum | $0.75/watt Project size cap: 360 kW-AC |
| Solar for Qualifying Nonprofits | $30,000 maximum | $0.50/watt Project size cap: 360 kW-AC |
| Battery storage incentive | $15,000 maximum | $500/kWh |
Pacific Power Customers
| Planning Incentives | Incentive Amount | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Development Assistance | $2,500 maximum | Customer or project type is one of the following:
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| Battery Storage Development Assistance | $5,000 maximum | Customer or project type is one of the following:
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| Installation Incentives | Increased Incentive Amount | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Solar for Tribes | $50,000 maximum | $1.00/watt Project size cap: 360 kW-AC |
| Solar for Affordable Housing | $45,000 maximum | $0.75/watt Project size cap: 360 kW-AC |
| Solar for Qualifying Nonprofits | $30,000 maximum | $0.50/watt Project size cap: 360 kW-AC |
| Battery storage incentive | $15,000 maximum | $500/kWh |
Eligibility
To qualify for Energy Trust increased solar incentives aimed at increasing solar equity, the property must meet fit one of these 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 (AMI) 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 processes and programs to incent and advance solar energy installations.
Additional solar options
- Solar Development Assistance incentives to help launch projects
- Solar Planning for new buildings or major renovations
- Solar + Storage for backup power to make your building more resilient during an outage and keep essential equipment operating
- Community Solar subscription options if you lease, if your roof doesn’t have enough sun exposure, or if your budget doesn’t allow for investment in your own system
- Community Solar Project Development assistance for qualifying organizations interested in developing Community Solar projects
- Get tips on choosing a solar trade ally contractor and comparing bids
- Attend a free educational workshop to learn more about solar.
- Use our solar calculator to estimate the benefits of solar.
- Explore new construction and major renovation incentives.
- Learn how your electric bill is calculated with net metering.
- Learn about Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
Federal Elective Pay: Elective pay lets tax-exempt entities file a return for eligible solar and solar + storage projects, then use the elective pay option on the return to receive a tax-free payment from the IRS equal to the 30% tax credit value. See details on the IRS website.
Consult your tax professional to learn how rules may apply to you. This information does not constitute tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties.
Other rebates and grants
Nonprofits, tribes and multifamily affordable housing projects may be eligible for the following funding resources, in addition to Energy Trust increased incentives. Connecting early with an Energy Trust solar trade ally and taking advantage of Energy Trust Solar Development Assistance incentives can help you prepare to apply for these funding sources.
Portland General Electric Renewable Development Fund
Need Help? Contact Us.
We’re here to explain the process and benefits. Give us a call at 1.877.777.4018 or send us an email at solar@energytrust.org.