Oregon’s Solar Electric Buy-Down Program
| Program Type | Rebate |
|---|---|
| Technologies | Photovoltaics |
| Amount | Maximum for residences capped at $20,000. Price per watt varies for each utility company |
| Required Documentation | Contractors complete the paperwork |
| Official Web Site | http://energytrust.org/residential/incentives/solar-electric/SolarElectric/ |
The Energy Trust of Oregon offers a rebate program to customers of Pacific Power and PGE for installing photovoltaic (PV) on their homes and businesses through the trust’s Solar Electric Buy-Down Program. The program was launched in May 2003. The program offers people installing PV up-front payments to help offset the costs of installing solar on their homes and buildings. Incentives are highest for systems up to 30 kilowatts (kW) in size—most homes need a system no larger than 5 kW—and step downward for systems up to 200 kW in size.
Customers of Pacific Power that want to install and own a system qualify for rebates of $1.50 per DC watt installed. Customers of PGE that want to install PV qualify for rebates of $1.75 per DC watt. Payments are capped at $20,000 per site.
Systems installed and owned by a third party on a home qualify for rebates of $1.00 per DC watt installed from Pacific Power or $1.25 per DC watt installed from PGE. PGE is capped at $10,000 and Pacific Power is capped at $5,000 per third-party installation.
To be eligible, the system must be installed by a contractor in Energy Trust’s Trade Ally Network. The contractor chosen by the customer advises them on the proper site and the system’s needs. The contractor also completes the necessary paperwork for the customer’s PV system, so they can receive the rebate. The contractor estimates what the customer’s PV system will produce, the installation date, and what the cost of the system will be for the customer after the rebate is applied. Upon receiving the Energy Trust’s approval, the contractor is sent the rebate and all funds are deducted from the system’s final cost.
