Oregon Department of Energy to Hold Virtual Community Meetings on Solar + Storage Rebate Program

The Oregon Department of Energy will hold two virtual community meetings this winter on the agency’s Solar + Storage Rebate Program, which offers rebates to residential customers and low-income service providers who install solar or solar and paired energy storage systems (batteries).

In 2021, the Oregon Legislature allocated an additional $10 million for the program, and the agency is hoping to expand its reach to low- and moderate-income Oregonians, low-income service providers, and other historically and currently underserved communities to participate in the program. Oregon Energy staff are launching a process to update the program’s administrative rules, and hope to hear from the community about how we can better reach potential program participants. Draft rule changes are designed to encourage more participation from low-income service providers, such as affordable housing organizations. We’d like to hear more about other barriers communities face, what information they need to participate, and suggestions for outreach and marketing methods to better get the word out about the program.

Oregonians are welcome to attend one or both workshops; the same content will be covered in each session.

Session #1:

Thursday, January 27, 2022 | 1 – 2 p.m.

Session #2:

Wednesday, February 2, 2022 | 4 – 5 p.m.

More information about the program, draft rules, and ways to join the meetings online is available on the Oregon Solar + Storage Program rulemaking page.

Additional Background

The Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program offers rebates to residential customers and low-income service providers who install solar or solar and paired energy storage systems (batteries). The program first launched in January 2020 and, as of January 6, 2022, has made funding commitments to 1,077 projects, representing over $3.9 million in investments. The program’s initial funding was exhausted by the end of 2020, but the Oregon Legislature allocated an additional $10 million to continue the popular program.

Homeowners are eligible for rebates up to $5,000 for solar and an additional $2,500 for paired energy storage installed at the same time. Low-income service providers – such as nonprofits, municipalities, or other organizations serving low-income Oregonians – are eligible for up to $30,000 for solar plus $15,000 for paired storage. Rebates are issued to ODOE-approved contractors, who pass the full amount of the rebate on as savings to their customers.

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 each year will be reserved for low- or moderate-income residential customers and low-income service providers.

Contractors can still sign up for the program through ODOE’s website, where Oregonians can also learn more about program eligibility and rebate caps, and can find a list of approved contractors.