New Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) solar interconnection pathway requirements went into effect on October 1, 2020. As builders work to understand these requirements, Energy Trust can be a helpful resource in navigating this change and providing incentives to qualifying builders.
ORSC solar interconnection pathway requirement doesn’t guarantee compatibility with installed solar
Meeting code isn’t enough to ensure that a homeowner will be eligible for future solar incentives through Energy Trust. The ORSC sets requirements for conduit, junction boxes and labeling. However, if a home doesn’t have 200 sq. ft. of unobstructed roof space with optimal solar resource for installing solar, it won’t be a great candidate for future installed solar and the homeowner won’t be eligible for solar incentives from Energy Trust.
Leverage Energy Trust solar ready incentives to meet and exceed ORSC solar interconnection pathway requirements
Installing rigid metal conduit (or “raceway”) is likely the most expensive element of meeting the ORSC solar interconnection pathway requirement. Energy Trust’s $200 solar ready incentive can offset a significant portion of this cost and also helps position the future homeowner to be eligible for solar incentives from Energy Trust.
Two ways to go a step further:
- Schedule an early design assistance (EDA) meeting with a solar focus, earning an EDA incentive up to $2,000 per development.
- Be an expert on ORSC solar interconnection pathway requirements and learn how to earn an additional $200 per home in Energy Trust solar ready incentives:
| Considerations | ORSC Solar Interconnection Pathway* | Energy Trust Solar Ready Incentive Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Installed components | Conduit | Conduit |
| Junction box at electric panel | Junction box at electric panel | |
| Label at attic termination | Label at junction boxes & electric panel Two 40-amp breakers reserved for solar |
|
| Design elements to ensure successful solar install | 36” x 36” reserved wall area near electric panel Adequate solar resource for Energy Trust solar incentives Setbacks to comply with fire code At least 200 sq. ft. unobstructed roof space Solar ready defined in building plans |
|
| Electric service | Service from Portland General Electric or Pacific Power |
*Oregon Residential Specialty Code solar interconnection pathway requirements, effective for homes permitting on or after October 1, 2020:
N1107.4 Solar interconnection pathway: A square metal junction box not less than 4 inches by 4 inches (102 mm by 102 mm) with a metal box cover shall be provided within 24 inches (610 mm) horizontally or vertically of the main electrical panel. A minimum ¾-inch rigid metal raceway shall extend from the junction box to a capped roof termination or to an accessible location in the attic with a vertical clearance of not less than 36 inches (914 mm). Where the raceway terminates in the attic, the termination shall be located not less than 6 inches (152 mm) above the insulation. The end of the raceway shall be marked as “RESERVED FOR SOLAR.” Exception: In lieu of ¾ inch rigid metal raceway, a minimum #10 copper 3-wire MC cable installed from the junction box to the termination point including 6 inches (152 mm) additional wire is permitted.
Email us with questions about Energy Trust’s solar ready requirements or the code definition of solar interconnection pathway.