Here’s a quick rundown of solar ready incentive changes effective January 1, 2016:
| Measure | Details | 2015 Incentive | 2016 Incentive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Feasibility (new name for Solar Assessment) | Study must be completed by a Solar trade ally | 100% of costs, up to $2,000 | 90% of costs, up to $1,700 |
| Solar Ready Design | 75% of costs, up to $5,000 | Discontinued | |
| Solar Ready (new name for Solar Ready Design and Construction bundle) | Covers costs of MEP design, structural engineering and construction materials needed to meet Solar Ready Commercial Design and Construction Requirements | 100% of costs, up to $15,000 | 75% of costs, up to $15,000 |
- The solar assessment incentive will be re-branded as the Solar Feasibility Study. Only solar trade allies will be able to receive an incentive for a Solar Feasibility Study, and the amount covered will be reduced to 90 percent of costs, up to $1,700.
What it means: Unless your firm does solar installations, you will no longer be able to receive this incentive. Starting in 2016, you will only be able to help projects receive this incentive by hiring a solar trade ally to do the solar feasibility study. - The solar ready design and construction incentives will be combined into one Solar Ready incentive offering. Both solar trade and design allies will be able to receive an incentive for performing this work, and the amount covered will be reduced to 75 percent of costs, up to $15,000.
What it means: Your firm will be able to offer this incentive to clients that are interested in prepping for a future solar installation but will not have one at construction completion. The specific requirements will be almost identical to what’s required for the current solar ready design and construction incentives. - To promote continuing education for solar design allies, we will offer 20 individual scholarships covering 50 percent of registration costs to the Oregon Solar Energy Conference. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and only to employees of firms that are part of Energy Trust’s solar design ally network.
What it means: You can attend Oregon’s premier solar conference at a significant discount. The conference takes place in Portland on an annual basis, and features high-quality presentations on commercial and utility-scale solar design. If you’re interested in receiving one of the scholarships, contact Alejandro Savransky, New Buildings Program Ally Coordinator, at 503-548-4955.
Starting January 1, 2016, you can find revised application forms on www.energytrust.org/solardesign.
For more information about incentive changes and effective dates, please contact Alejandro Savransky, senior program ally coordinator, at 503.548-4955.