What Are They?
In most of the state of Oregon, solar cash-incentives for solar panel systems are provided by the Energy Trust of Oregon. They are also the state’s largest provider when it comes to incentives. Unfortunately, these incentives are not available to every Oregonian. Only homeowners and business owners that are customers to Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power are eligible.
How Is It Funded?
The reason why only customers of PGE and Pacific power are able to get these cash-incentives is that these utilities fund the Energy Trust via a charge meant for a public purpose that is imposed on the monthly electric bills of ratepayers.
The money happens to be disbursed only when there is qualified renewable energy. If you are a customer of PGE and Pacific Power, you will qualify to receive a cash-based incentive as soon as you have the solar panel system installed.
How It Works
These incentives are basically available to residential PGE, as well as, Pacific Power clients alone. The Energy Trust of Oregon solar incentive amount that you get is basically dependent on just three factors which are –
- Your electric utility
- whether it’s residential, commercial, or non-profit
- Availability of sunlight (see TSRF)
No matter the size of the project, you will receive a flat cash incentive paid to the installer to lower the initial cost of solar panel installations in Oregon.
Portland General Electric also offers a flat $500 per project. This incentive will decrease over time once more homes switch to solar.
Pacific Power also offers a flat $600 per project.
Over time, the Energy Trust will decrease this incentive when a certain amount of homeowners switch to solar power. It doesn’t happen quickly, but it does happen without warning.
So while it might be beneficial to wait until prices drop more, this certain Oregon solar incentive is now at the highest it will be and will only continue to decrease when more and more homes switch to clean, renewable solar energy.
How Do I Qualify?
The conditions, however, stipulate that you need to confirm, at least, a 75% solar window, called Total Solar Resource Fraction (TSRF), on the property in which the solar panels will be installed. Anything less will disqualify you despite being a customer of either PGE or Pacific Power.
Is There Any Way Around It?
Yes! If the only thing shading your home is a tree, you may opt-in to have the tree cut-down. Before any cutting, we can show you a report on what your roof will look like before and after the tree cutting.
This way, we help by informing you how much you have to trim the tree back or if it needs to be removed entirely.
Considering Solar?
You should take advantage of the Energy Trust of Oregon solar incentives today! Get started by calling us at (360) 313-7190 or by signing up for a free in-home consultation.
