Additional $375,000 in Solar + Storage Rebate Dollars Available April 15

Earlier this year, the Oregon Department of Energy launched our new Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate program, which offers rebates to residential customers and low-income service providers that install solar or solar and paired energy storage systems (batteries).

The program has a special focus on expanding access to renewable energy to Oregonians who may not otherwise be able to afford the investment in solar. At least 25 percent of rebate funds are reserved for low- or moderate-income residential customers and low-income service providers. Rebates are issued to ODOE-approved contractors, who pass the full amount of the rebate on as savings to their customers.

Since the program’s launch in January, ODOE has processed 230 rebate reservations totaling nearly $1 million. Of those, 72 rebates totaling over $600,000 have been reserved for low- and moderate-income residential customers and low-income service providers. Funds have been allocated for projects across Oregon, including the Willamette Valley, Eastern Oregon, Southern Oregon, and other areas.

At program launch, ODOE released all of its available funding for low- and moderate-income residential customers and low-income service providers, and $375,000 of the rebate funds for non-income restricted customers. The funds for non-income restricted went quickly and were reserved in full by the end of January, so the agency temporarily stopped accepting applications for those customers.

On April 15, 2020, ODOE will release another $375,000 in rebate funds for non-income restricted residential customers.

Approved ODOE contractors may start reserving those funds beginning at 8 a.m.

Rebates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Oregonians interested in participating in the program should contact their solar contractors for more information.

There are still program funds available for Oregonians who qualify as low- or moderate-income. ODOE has three pathways for determining eligibility, which will be confirmed by administrative rule later this spring.

Learn more about the Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program on ODOE’s website.