According to a recent press release from the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE), $3.7 million in funding from two U.S. Department of Energy grants will support expanding access to solar in Oregon. ODOE is a co-recipient of both grants through the USDOE’s SunShot Initiative, which supports innovations that make solar energy more competitive with traditional energy sources.

Oregon, five other states and the Clean Energy States Alliance were awarded $1.7 million from SunShot to develop strategies that will bring solar to more low- and moderate-income residents. ODOE and Energy Trust will work with local steering committee members and energy experts, and engage with organizations that serve low- and moderate-income Oregonians to identify barriers and to develop and implement effective strategies.

A second SunShot grant of $2 million was awarded to the Solar Plus initiative, a three-year partnership between Oregon and Washington agencies, utilities, nonprofits and community groups. ODOE, Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (NW SEED) and the Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association (OSEIA) will help implement the grant. Together, Solar Plus partners are working to equitably grow the solar market in the Northwest and move the region toward the energy grid of the future.

“We look forward to working with our partners to maximize the value solar can bring to the grid while reducing barriers that limit access to solar energy for Oregon families,” said Michael Kaplan, director, ODOE. “We’re grateful that USDOE is investing in our communities.”

For more information see the original press release.