Oregon Department of Energy Announces $1.25 Million in Grants for Renewable Energy Projects Across the State

The Oregon Department of Energy announced today six recipients of $1.25 million in Renewable Energy Development Grant funds. The RED Grant program supports Oregon businesses, nonprofits, and organizations investing in renewable energy systems that use biomass, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, landfill gas, biogas, wave, tidal, or ocean energy to produce electricity.

Earlier this year, ODOE announced $2.75 million in available grant funds divided into two tiers for large and small renewable energy projects. ODOE received six applications for large solar projects (greater than 300 kilowatts), and the agency is able to award grant funding for all six, ranging from $90,000 up to $250,000. A $250,000 grant will help fund a new utility-scale solar facility with battery storage near Christmas Valley in Lake County. A $90,000 grant will support solar installations at housing communities serving lower-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities in La Grande. In Wallowa County, a $250,000 grant will support a community solar installation that allows low- or moderate-income Oregonians, who may not otherwise be able to install their own solar arrays, to access renewable energy. Visit the Oregon Department of Energy’s blog for a full list of selected projects.

Applications were scored based on a number of criteria, including amount of energy generated, job creation, community benefits, and more. Points were also awarded for projects that were designed with resilience in mind. Renewable systems that are capable of supplying electricity when the larger grid is unavailable – due to extreme weather or other emergencies – earned more points.

ODOE staff expect to announce the second round of grant awardees for projects smaller than 300 kilowatts later this summer. It will be the final set of awardees under the RED Grant program, which launched in 2012.

“The Oregon Department of Energy is proud to support projects that add renewable generation across Oregon,” said Director Janine Benner. “And we were pleased to see applications this year that will help expand access to renewable energy for low-income Oregonians and other underserved communities.”

After a technical review, ODOE will finalize performance agreements with the awardees. Funds are allocated after the project is completed and operational, and once all conditions of the performance agreements are met.

For more information about the Renewable Energy Development grant program, visit ODOE’s website.