ETO Solar Incentives for Existing Buildings
Disclaimer: All the information provided below is based on information found on the ETO website and various supporting documents. This article is intended to make it easier to find all the information you need in one place NOT to replace any information provided by the ETO. If you have any questions about incentives or how to apply, please contact the ETO.
The Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) offers several incentives for non-residential customers. To qualify for ETO solar incentives all projects are required to:
- be located in Oregon
- be a Portland General Electric (PGE) or Pacific Power customer
- work with an approved Solar Electric Trade Ally
Standard Solar Electric Incentives
Standard solar photovoltaic (PV) installation incentives are for existing buildings and the rates are based on rated DC power capacity of the photovoltaic array.
For PGE non-residential customers
- Maximum incentive per project is $40,000 (at 200 kW)
- Maximum total system size is 400 kW, projects greater than 400 kW are not eligible for incentives.
For Pacific Power non-residential customers
- Maximum incentive per project is $25,000 (at 125 kW)
- Maximum total system size is 250 kW, projects greater than 250 kW are not eligible for incentives.
Lookup current standard solar electric incentive rates here: ETO Solar Electric Incentive Lookup
To Apply: Get bids from ETO Solar Trade Ally Contractors.
Solar Design Assistance
Energy Trust has created a Solar Development Assistance incentive that is designed to offset the upfront cost of the solar site evaluation, preliminary system design, initial engineering and utility interconnection due diligence required to ensure a solar electric system is financially feasible.
Step 1: Enroll in Solar Electric Program
To apply for any of the ETO Solar Design Assistance incentives each project must first enroll in the Energy Trust Solar Electric program by completing Form 210A: Solar Program Project Enrollment Application. The form must be completed and submitted to the Solar program for processing before you begin equipment purchases or other project construction activities
ETO Solar Program contact
Step 2: Apply for Incentive
Energy Trust offers incentives and technical support at three distinct stages: feasibility, design, and installation. Each incentive requires it’s own application and has distinct requirements as detailed below.
Solar Feasibility Study Incentive (PV Only)
What: Funds for conducting a Solar Feasibility Study is an analysis and written report summarizing the potential for designing and installing a solar PV system. See application form for details of required deliverables.
Incentive Amount: Project Owner is reimbursed for 90% of eligible, incurred costs to conduct the Solar Feasibility Study, up to a maximum amount of $1,800.
Project Requirements:
Projects are not eligible to apply for this Solar Development Assistance incentive if proposed for solar feasibility assistance under
- Energy Trust’s New Buildings Solar Ready offering (Form 520SF) or
- Energy Trust’s Solar Plus Storage offering (Form 220SF),
- Project Owner must be a public entity, non-profit entity, or non-residential customer planning to pursue a (PGE or Pacific Power) utility grant program
- The proposed solar electric system project studied must be capable of meeting Energy Trust’s Solar Electric Installation Requirements
- The project is not eligible for a standard installation incentive. The project is eligible for the Extended Installation Incentive, equal to 75% of the business incentive rates available at the time of application with an extended reservation period of 2 years.
To Apply: Fill out Form 220SDA: Solar Development Assistance Incentive Application and submit to ETO Solar program.
Solar PV + Storage Feasibility Study Incentive
What: provides funds to analyze a project’s solar potential and the potential additional customer benefits that a battery Energy Storage System (ESS) can provide. See application form for details of required deliverables.
Incentive Amount: Project Owner is reimbursed for 50% of eligible, incurred costs to conduct the Solar Plus Storage Feasibility Study, up to a maximum amount of $2,500.
Project Requirements:
- Project owner is a non-residential customer and the site must have at least 1,500 square feet of contiguous, un-obstructed roof area
- Be able to meet either Energy Trust’s Solar Electric Installation Requirements or Energy Trust’s Solar Ready Commercial Design and Construction Requirements
- An incentive application must be submitted to Energy Trust for review and consideration before the solar trade ally begins any of the work on an activity – proposed activities cannot already be underway.
- A qualifying Solar plus Storage Feasibility Study must be completed by an approved Energy Trust Solar Electric Trade Ally during the design phase, while opportunity to make design changes still exists
- The Solar plus Storage Feasibility Study must be submitted to the program within 15 days of study completion
Projects that fall under Oregon’s “1.5 percent for green technologies” requirement are eligible to apply for Solar plus Storage Feasibility incentives and Energy Trust’s Solar Electric equipment installation incentives, but not for any Solar Ready incentives.
Energy Trust does not offer additional equipment installation incentives for energy storage beyond the standard solar incentive for the PV portion.
To Apply: Fill out Form 220SF: Solar Plus Storage Incentive Application and submit to ETO Solar program.
