Solar Within Reach
Increased incentives help income-qualified households add solar and battery storage
Going solar may be more affordable than you think. Solar Within Reach increased cash incentives reduce the cost of adding solar or solar + storage for income-qualified homes.
Solar can help you lower energy bills in a big way. And adding battery storage means even greater control and peace of mind. Battery storage makes your home energy resilient by providing emergency backup power. Stored solar power can keep lighting, refrigeration, medical equipment, well pumps and other essentials operating during an outage.
With these increased cash incentives and a federal tax credit, solar and battery storage may be within reach. We can connect you with a qualified solar trade ally contractor to get your project started.
Community Solar Option
If you rent or if solar isn’t in your budget right now, you can subscribe to a community solar project and get credits on your electric bill. Income-qualified customers get discounted rates and guaranteed bill savings. Oregon Community Solar—no sunny roof required! Learn more.
-
Establish your eligibility.
Read More > -
Get proposals from Energy Trust solar trade ally contractors eligible to provide Solar Within Reach incentives
To qualify for this income-qualified, increased incentive, your system must be installed by an approved solar trade ally eligible to offer the Solar Within Reach incentive. Submit your information and Energy Trust can connect you with qualified trade ally contractors in your area.
-
After you choose a contractor, they will ask you to sign an incentive application and income verification form to confirm your eligibility.
Your contractor will handle all the paperwork for your system, and submit your income verification form, prior to installation. Your Energy Trust cash incentive will be paid directly to your contractor, who will deduct the incentive amount from your invoice, reducing the cost of your solar installation. Your trade ally can also help you apply for any other incentives you may be eligible for.
-
Your system is installed and verified
Energy Trust helps protect your investment by reviewing the plans for your system before construction. Once it’s complete, we also verify that it met our rigorous technical standards. In many cases, we will stop by in person to verify your system was installed properly.
-
Claim your tax credits when you file your taxes.
Learn about federal residential energy tax credits.
In addition to the eligibility requirements listed in the Steps tab, to participate you must own and live in a single-family home, manufactured home, floating home, or multifamily residence that is either an attached side-by-side unit or a duplex, triplex or fourplex. You must also meet Energy Trust’s income qualifications listed below.
| Household size | Annual income maximum* |
|---|---|
| 1 people | $66,854 |
| 2 people | $87,424 |
| 3 people | $107,994 |
| 4 people | $128,564 |
| 5 people | $149,134 |
| 6 people | $169,704 |
| 7 people | $173,562 |
| 8 people | $177,418 |
*Effective August 2024
Note: Income includes all gross wages, tips, rental income, public assistance, social security or pensions, income from self-employment, alimony, interest or any other sources of income defined by the IRS income tax return for the previous tax year.
Your Energy Trust cash incentive amount depends on the size of your system and your electric utility.
| Utility | Solar Incentive | Battery Storage Incentive |
|---|---|---|
| Portland General Electric | $1.20/watt, $7,200 maximum per home | $1,000/kWh, $13,000 maximum per home |
| Pacific Power | $1.00/watt, $6,000 maximum per home | $750/kWh, $10,000 maximum per home |
Special qualification rules and restrictions apply. Incentive offers are subject to funding availability and may change at any time. Check with your contractor.
Note: Energy Trust provides technical assistance and financial incentives but does not develop, sell or install energy systems or equipment. This work is done by independent businesses that are solely responsible for the quality and performance of their installations.
Additional solar options
- The Oregon Community Solar Program offers subscription options if you rent, live in a condo or your roof doesn’t have enough sun exposure.
- Download our Solar Within Reach fact sheet
- Read tips on choosing a solar contractor and comparing bids
- Learn about net metering
Federal solar tax credit
The federal residential solar energy tax credit covers 30% of the out-of-pocket cost of a solar or solar + storage system installed by Dec. 31, 2032. It is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the income tax you owe. You must pay taxes to claim the credit. Learn more about federal solar tax credits.
Consult a tax professional to learn how tax credits and rules may apply to you. This information does not constitute tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties.
No. Energy Trust does not require you to have multiple bids, but we strongly recommend it. Fill out an online bid request form and we can connect you with solar trade ally contractors that offer the Solar Within Reach incentive.
Yes. If you invest in additional energy-saving improvements, you can receive other Energy Trust incentives. Through Savings Within Reach, Energy Trust offers increased incentives for income-qualified customers who make energy-efficiency improvements to their home.
Your annual income is the total amount currently earned annually by all household members before taxes and deductions. Income includes all gross wages, tips, rental income, public assistance, social security or pensions, income from self-employment, alimony, interest or any other sources of income defined by the IRS income tax return.
Here is a sample income calculation:
$15 hourly wage x 32 hours per week x 52 weeks per year = $24,960.
Anyone reported as a member of your household on the IRS income tax return for the previous tax year.
Yes, you must occupy the home where solar is installed to qualify for Solar Within Reach. Single-family homes, manufactured homes, floating homes, townhomes, or multifamily residences (an attached side-by-side unit or a duplex, triplex or fourplex) all qualify.
Questions?
We’re here to help. Call us at 1.877.777.4018 or email us at solar@energytrust.org.