Custom Renewable Energy Projects

Energy Trust provides project development assistance including, but not limited to, grant writing assistance, feasibility studies, final design, permitting, and utility interconnection. Energy Trust can pay up to 50% of the cost of hiring an outside consultant to provide expert assistance for these activities, up to a maximum of $200,000.

Energy Trust provides incentives towards the construction costs of biopower, geothermal, or hydropower projects. Incentive levels are based on a project’s cost in comparison to the market value of the energy produced, or “above-market cost”. A potential installation incentive is based on a net-present value assessment that accounts for all the project’s costs and revenues. In return for funding contribution, Energy Trust asks for a negotiated share of the project’s Environmental Attributes (e.g. Renewable Energy Certificates), which are held in trust for the ratepayers who pay the public purpose charge that funds their work. To be eligible for an Energy Trust incentive, projects must be less than 20 MW in nameplate capacity and be located in the service territory of, or deliver power to, Portland General Electric or Pacific Power in Oregon.

Incentives are subject to funding availability and may change.

Solar Incentives

Energy Trust offers cash incentives that reduce the upfront cost of solar installations. The incentive amount depends on the size of your system and your electric utility. Incentives are subject to funding availability and may change at any time.

Commercial

Portland General Electric     $15,000 max.     $0.15/watt
Project size cap: 480 kW-DC

Pacific Power     $15,000 max.     $0.15/watt
Project size cap: 480 kW-DC

Residential

Portland General Electric     $400 per project
Pacific Power     $450 per project