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Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association
Working toward Oregon's renewable energy future

Incentives and Credits for Professionals

Oregon State Tax Credits

The State of Oregon provides income tax credits for homeowners, renters, businesses, or industries that install renewable energy and energy conserving equipment on their homes and businesses. 

Tax credits not just tax deductions. Tax credits subtract one hundred per cent from the taxes you owe. In most cases, customers receive them as additional refunds at the end of the tax year. All solar contractors certified by the Oregon Department of Energy are authorized to complete the appropriate tax paperwork for their clients, saving them time and money. 

Residentially, there are four categories that qualify for up to a $1500 tax credit.

Solar electric PV systems qualify for up to a $6,000 tax credit provided at $1500/yr for up to four years. The PV credit is evaluated at $3/kWDC.

1) Solar water heating
2) Solar electric (PV) (qualifies for up to $6000)
3) Passive solar design or active solar space heating or geothermal heating and cooling**
4) Solar pool heating
5) Energy efficient appliances**
 

Commercially, the Business Energy Tax Credit is 50% of the eligible project costs. The credit is filed over 5 years: 10% each year. For projects with eligible costs of $20,000 or less, the tax credit may be taken in one year. For commercial solar energy projects, there is an additional 30% Federal Tax Credit that can be taken in the first year.

Each category has its own rules as to what products and services will qualify and how much the credits are for qualifying equipment. Consult your local solar contractor for the latest updated information on the tax credit programs, or visit the Tax Credit pages at the Oregon Department of Energy website. For residential credits click here , business credits click here .

** The credits for these applications are typically less than the maximum amount ($1500).

Please see the ODOE website for more information.

Energy Trust of Oregon Incentives

The Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) was recently established as a result of Oregon's electricity restructuring bill. Currently the ETO offers several programs for residential and commercial solar installations.

Since the ETO's funding comes from a 3% public benefits charge on PGE and PacifiCorp customers, these incentives are available to PGE and PacifiCorp customers. NW Natural Gas customers are also eligible for solar thermal incentives. For more information on ETO programs contact the ETO or one of the solar trade allies listed on the ETO website. Make sure you ask how much solar experience the ETO trade ally has before making your decision!

 

ETO Solar Hot Water Incentives

The program offers cash incentive buy-downs as follows:

Electric Customers (PGE and PacifiCorp customers)
  • Residential domestic water heating $0.40/kWh rated savings for the first year.
  • Residential pool/spa water heating $0.10/kWh rated savings for the first year.
  • Commercial domestic water heating $0.40/kWh rated savings for the first year, up to 35% of the system cost
  • Commercial pool/spa water heating $0.10/kWh rated savings for the first year, up to 35% of the system cost
Gas Customers (NW Natural customers only)
  • Residential domestic water heating $0.30/kWh rated savings for the first year ($1,500 cap).
  • Residential pool/spa water heating $0.07/kWh rated savings for the first year ($1,000 cap).
  • Commercial domestic water heating $6.00/therm, up to 35% of system cost.
  • Commercial pool/spa water heating $1.50/therm, up to 35% of system cost.

 

ETO Solar Electric Incentives

Residential Solar Electric Incentives
PGE:
$1.25/wDC up to $10,000.
Pacific Power :
$1.00/wDC up to $5,000.
Commercial Solar Electric Incentives
  First 30kW Over 30kW (Max 100kW) Maximum incentive (100kW)
Pacific Power
$1.00/watt
varies from $1.00-$.50/watt
$100,000
PGE
$1.25/watt
varies from $1.25-$.75/watt
$600,000
 

Please see the Energy Trust of Oregon website for more information.

 
 
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