During the 2019 Oregon legislative session, the legislature passed HB 2618, directing the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) to create and launch a new solar and solar-plus-storage rebate program. During the fall of 2019, ODOE hosted several rulemaking sessions to engage with stakeholders and develop the new program. The program was launched on January 1, 2020 and you can go to the program website for up-to-date information.

Contractor eligibility: To become an ODOE-approved contractor solar trade allies must meet all eligibility requirements and sign up through the online portal to enroll.   

Project eligibility: To be eligible for a rebate, a solar electric or a paired solar and storage system must meet all project eligibility criteria and be installed by an ODOE-approved contractor. The contractor must submit a reservation application before starting construction on the system, and the purchase contract must be signed on or after January 1, 2020.

Rebate calculation: Rebates will be paid to the ODOE-approved contractor who installs a qualifying solar or solar plus storage system. The customer receives the benefit of the rebate amount as a decrease in the upfront project cost. See the Insider article on Calculating the Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate for more information.

Low- or moderate-income residential customers: Customers can receive a higher rebate rate offered under the low- or moderate-income program if the owner of the property where the installation will occur is currently qualified for one or more income-limited programs identified on the list of qualifying programs maintained by ODOE.

Low-income service providers: For an organization to receive preference as a low-income service provider, the applicant must meet all eligibility criteria and either be included on qualifying list or contact the program and provide sufficient documentation.

Key dates:  

• January 1, 2020 
  • Solar Trade Ally contractors can sign up to participate in the program 
• January 22, 2020 
  • Applications can be submitted online for eligible projects that have contract’s signed after January 1, 2020 
  • (Phase 1) 50% of rebate funds were made available for reservations on systems for low- or moderate-income residential customers or low-income service providers 
  • (Phase 1) 25% of rebate funds were made available for reservations for residential customers other than low- or moderate-income customers.  
• April 15, 2020 
  • (Phase 2) Remaining 25% of rebate funds may be made available for residential customers other than low- or moderate-income customers, in addition to any funds remaining from Phase 1.

Key links: 

• Program website 
• Administrative rules 
• Contractor sign-up 
• ODOE-approved contractors (list) 
• Low- and moderate-income eligible programs​ (list) 
• Rebate and verification request​ (form) 
• Low- and moderate-income eligibility verification (form) 
• Low-income service​ provider eligibility​ (form) 

If you have questions, please contact Oregon Solar + Storage Program rebate staff at ODOE.SolarRebates​@oregon.gov or 1.800.221.8035.