Custom Renewable Energy Projects

October 30, 2023

Summary

Energy Trust provides project development assistance including, but not limited to, grant writing assistance, feasibility studies, final design, permitting, and utility interconnection. Energy Trust can pay up to 50% of the cost of hiring an outside consultant to provide expert assistance for these activities, up to a maximum of $200,000.

Energy Trust provides incentives towards the construction costs of biopower, geothermal, or hydropower projects. Incentive levels are based on a project’s cost in comparison to the market value of the energy produced, or “above-market cost”. A potential installation incentive is based on a net-present value assessment that accounts for all the project’s costs and revenues. In return for funding contribution, Energy Trust asks for a negotiated share of the project’s Environmental Attributes (e.g. Renewable Energy Certificates), which are held in trust for the ratepayers who pay the public purpose charge that funds their work. To be eligible for an Energy Trust incentive, projects must be less than 20 MW in nameplate capacity and be located in the service territory of, or deliver power to, Portland General Electric or Pacific Power in Oregon.

Incentives are subject to funding availability and may change.

Solar Incentives

Energy Trust offers cash incentives that reduce the upfront cost of solar installations. The incentive amount depends on the size of your system and your electric utility. Incentives are subject to funding availability and may change at any time.

Commercial

Portland General Electric $15,000 max. $0.15/watt
Project size cap: 480 kW-DC

Pacific Power $15,000 max. $0.15/watt
Project size cap: 480 kW-DC

Residential

Portland General Electric $400 per project
Pacific Power $450 per project

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Financial Incentive
State:	Oregon
Incentive Type:	Grant Program
Web Site:	https://www.energytrust.org/renewable-energy/
Administrator:	Energy Trust of Oregon
Start Date:	May 2002
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Geothermal Electric Solar Photovoltaics Biomass Hydroelectric Anaerobic Digestion
Maximum Incentive:	50% of eligible costs up to $200,000
Equipment Requirements:	Commercial technology projects that can be replicated elsewhere.
Installation Requirements:	Must be in or able to deliver power to the service territory of either Portland General Electric or Pacific Power; off grid projects are not eligible. Projects must be less than 20 MW in capacity.

Contact

Name:	Josh Reed
Organization:	Energy Trust of Oregon
Address:	421 SW Oak Street, Suite 300 Portland OR 97204
Phone:	(503) 445-2954
Email:	joshua.reed@energytrust.org

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.