Solar + Storage Rebate Will Accept Applications September 27th!

Update regarding storage shipping delays:

Despite shipping delays of battery storage systems, storage projects will only be able receive rebates after the storage and solar installation are both completed.  Please keep this in mind as you plan for your rebate project applications.  

The Department of Energy is pleased to announce that the Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program will resume accepting new requests for reservations through PowerClerk on September 27, 2021 at 8:00 am. We appreciate your patience and know there is excitement around the $10 million in additional funding provided by the 2021 legislature.  

How Funding Will Be Allocated

The 2021 legislature provided the program $10 million in additional funding; of that amount $9.2 million will be available for new project rebates. Consistent with program rules, 50 percent of rebate funds will be available for reservation for systems for low- or moderate-income residential customers or low-income service providers.

The department will make funding available in two tranches. Tranche A will be made available on September 27, 2021 and will represent $2.5 million in funding for non-income restricted residential projects and $2.5 million in funding for low- or moderate-income residential and low-income service provider projects. Tranche B will be made available 30 days after final rule updates are filed with the Secretary of State stemming from a public program rulemaking currently scheduled to begin January 2022. Tranche B will represent an additional $2.1 million in funding for non-income restricted residential projects and an additional $2.1 million in funding for low- or moderate-income residential and low-income service provider projects. Based on our current plan for 2022 program rule-making, we anticipate Tranche B will be available in March 2022. All funding will be continuously available until reserved.

From time-to-time, project reservations expire or are withdrawn, resulting in funds becoming available for reservation again. The department estimates there will be approximately $100,00 in existing unallocated funding available for reservation by September 27, 2021. This additional funding will be made available in Tranche B and split evenly between low- or moderate-income residential and low-income service provider projects and non-income restricted residential projects.   

Minimal Rule Changes

All program rules remain unchanged except 330-240-0020 (3)(b). The department recently filed temporary rules that updated the contractor eligibility requirements for ETO trade allies. Under the temporary rule, all ETO trade allies that are in good standing with ETO are eligible to participate in the Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program. The department filed these rules to provide an eligibility pathway for newer ETO trade allies as ETO works through decisions on their star-rating system. Temporary rules remain in effect for 180 days unless made permanent. Please refer to the temporary rule for additional detail.

Future Rule-making

The department is planning on holding a public rulemaking beginning in January 2022 to gather public feedback on the temporary rule we filed related to ETO trade ally program eligibility. In addition, we hope to propose draft rules and solicit public comment on ways in which the department might adjust program rules to allow for greater participation by projects associated with tribal communities and multifamily low-income housing. We will provide notice on all rulemaking activity through our rulemaking email list and OSSRP rule-making webpage. Please stay tuned for additional details. 

How To Be Ready September 27th

Please review the program’s administrative rules prior to applying for reservation. We are happy to answer questions if you are unclear on any aspect of the program. As a reminder, a reservation application must be made prior to the start of project installation. In addition, while you cannot currently submit a reservation request, you can load reservation requests into PowerClerk. The requests will be saved in an unsubmitted status. As always, our website remains a great resource for information on the program. ODOE will be updating the website shortly to include a list of things you can do to ensure timely payment of your rebates, so be on the lookout for that update.