Energy Trust is expanding its higher Solar Within Reach incentives to include new homes that will be sold to income-qualified customers. Details of this new offer are available in an updated Part 6 of the Program Guide for Solar Electric Allies.

Solar trade allies approved to offer Solar Within Reach incentives can now partner with builders of affordable housing to qualify solar projects for increased cash incentives. To qualify, the home must be served by Portland General Electric or Pacific Power and agreeing that they will sell the property to a buyer that meets the Solar Within Reach income requirements. This attestation form will be submitted through PowerClerk with the incentive application.

Eligible homes can participate in Energy Trust’s EPS New Construction program, but it’s not required for the Solar incentives. EPS is an energy performance score for newly built homes that considers both energy efficiency and solar features.

This addition to Solar Within Reach will help Energy Trust expand solar to new customers and dedicate more funds toward serving customers with low and moderate incomes as required by HB 3141, the public-purpose modernization bill passed in 2021.

Please check the Solar Status Report for Energy Trust’s current cash incentives for solar projects, and feel free to reach out to us at solar@energytrust.org with any questions about process or eligibility. To learn more about the EPS New Construction program contact the EPS trade ally coordinator at eps@energytrust.org or by phone at 1.877.283.0698.