Incentives
For Solar Program
Current Incentive Status Report
Only approved solar trade allies are eligible to offer Energy Trust incentives to their potential customers. Refer to our Program Guide to learn more about the incentive program structure. If you would like to join the approved solar trade ally network, you can apply to become a solar trade ally.
In order to manage the budget, Energy Trust has implemented a stepped incentive with solar incentive levels decreasing over time. In order to keep track of the most current incentive level check and properly quote systems for your potential customers, we encourage you to regularly check the Solar Incentive Status Report.
Residential
Energy Trust solar trade allies are expected to provide their customers with comprehensive information about incentives and financing of a solar project. This includes information about cash incentives and tax credits.
Note: Energy Trust provides technical assistance and financial incentives but does not develop, sell or install energy systems or equipment. This work is done by independent businesses that are solely responsible for the quality and performance of their installations.
For residential customers, Energy Trust offers cash incentives that reduce the upfront cost of installing a solar electric system. The incentive is paid to the contractor after the system has been completed. The incentive amount depends on the size of the system and the electric utility. To view current incentive rates and allocation steps to properly quote systems for your potential customers, regularly check the Solar Incentive Status Report. Incentive offers are subject to funding availability and may change at any time.
Solar produces Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) as well as clean electricity. Read this fact sheet for more information on Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for projects that receive an Energy Trust incentive.
Third-party solar service providers: Please read and follow this information to determine whether your offer meets Energy Trust requirements and is eligible to receive cash incentives. Note that the incentives for third-party owned systems may be different than those for customer-owned systems.
The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) Solar + Storage Rebate Program issues rebates for solar electric systems and paired solar + storage systems for residential customers and offers an increased incentive rate for customers that qualify as low- or moderate-income. Rebates are issued to approved contractors, who pass the savings on to their customers.
Solar and solar+storage installations must be installed on real property in Oregon by an ODOE-approved contractor. Rebates are issued to approved contractors, who pass the savings on to customers. The contractor must submit a reservation application before starting construction or installation of a solar system or paired solar + storage system in order to be eligible for a rebate. Find more information on the ODOE Solar+Storage Rebate here.
A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the income tax you owe. The federal government offers an income tax credit for homeowners who install solar and battery storage systems. These tax credits are non-refundable, which means the customer must pay taxes in order to claim the credit.
All potential customers should consult their tax professional to learn how tax credits and rules may apply for their situation. This information does not constitute tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties.
Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credit: This federal tax credit covers 26% of the cost of a solar electric system installed before December 31, 2022, decreases to 22% in 2023, and expires at the end of 2023. To calculate the tax credit first subtract the value of the Energy Trust incentive from the total installed cost to determine the customers out of pocket cost. Find more information on the tax credit here.
Business
There are several types of incentives that can help reduce the cost of installing solar for your potential business customers: cash incentives, tax credits and depreciation and grants.
For business customers, Energy Trust offers cash incentives that reduce the upfront cost of installing a solar electric system. The incentive amount depends on the size of the system and the electric utility. The incentive rate for business solar electric systems gradually decreases as the system size increases, to account for economies of scale. To view current incentive rates and allocation steps to properly quote systems for customers, regularly check the Solar Incentive Status Report.
To determine the incentive for a potential project, you can scope out your system design in PowerClerk, or estimate your incentive below. Incentives are subject to funding availability and may change at any time
Solar produces Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) as well as clean electricity. Read this fact sheet for more information on Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for projects that receive an Energy Trust incentive
Energy Trust limits how much solar electric incentive funding a single commercial customer may apply for in a single calendar year. Please check the Solar Incentive Status Report for current limits.
Incentives are subject to funding availability and may change at any time.
Solar for New Commercial Construction
Energy Trust can provide assistance with preliminary scoping and design. Take a look at our Solar Ready pages for more information.
The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) Solar + Storage Rebate Program issues rebates for solar electric systems and paired solar + storage systems for low-income service providers in Oregon. Rebates are issued to approved contractors, who pass the savings on to their customers. Find more information on organizations eligible as “low-income service providers” here.
Solar and solar+storage installations must be installed on real property in Oregon by an ODOE-approved contractor. Rebates are issued to approved contractors, who pass the savings on to customers. The contractor must submit a reservation application before starting construction or installation of a solar system or paired solar + storage system in order to be eligible for a rebate. Find more information on the ODOE Solar+Storage Rebate here.
A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the income tax you owe. The federal government offers a corporate tax credit and a special depreciation schedule for businesses that install solar and solar + storage systems. Nonprofit organizations and public entities are generally not able to use these benefits because they do not pay taxes.
All potential customers should consult their tax professional to learn how tax credits and rules may apply for their situation. This information does not constitute tax advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties.
Federal Energy Tax Credit: This federal tax credit covers 26% of the cost of a solar electric system installed before December 31, 2022, decreases to 22% by 2023 and down to 10% starting in 2024. View requirements and information on how to claim the tax credit.
Federal Accelerated Depreciation: Businesses may depreciate the cost of a solar electric system following the five-year Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System. Claiming accelerated depreciation can provide a tax deduction benefit that offsets up to 25% of the cost of the installation. The five-year depreciation schedule can be found in the most recent version of IRS Publication 946.
There are some federal, state and local grants available for solar projects that may be combined with Energy Trust incentives, but not all can be combined. Most grants use a competitive solicitation process to award funding. Read the application requirements carefully before proceeding.
Utility Grants
Oregon Grants
Federal Grants