Making Solar Equitable Program
Administered by Energy Trust of Oregon
Oregon's Making Solar Equitable Program offers nonprofits, tribes, and affordable multifamily housing projects increased solar and battery storage incentives through Energy Trust of Oregon. Eligible nonprofits can receive $0.50/W up to $30,000 for solar (rates vary slightly by utility), while tribes receive $1.00/W up to $50,000 and affordable housing receives $0.65–$0.70/W up to $39,000–$42,000; battery storage incentives are $450/kWh up to $13,500. A $2,500 Solar Development Assistance grant is also available to help evaluate project potential before installation.
This program creates higher-margin opportunities for contractors working with nonprofits, tribes, and affordable multifamily properties in Oregon's service territories (Portland General Electric and Pacific Power). Eligible customers must be Energy Trust trade allies; nonprofits must be 501(c)(3) organizations registered in Oregon with a stated mission serving underrepresented communities, tribes must be federally recognized, and affordable housing must dedicate at least 50% of units to residents at or below 80% area median income for 10 years post-completion. Systems are capped at 360 kW-DC for solar and require minimum 3 kWh capacity for battery projects.
Energy Trust of Oregon administers this equity-focused program funded through utility incentive budgets, targeting federally recognized Oregon tribes, 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving communities of color and low-income populations, and affordable multifamily housing (50% of units ≤80% AMI for 10 years). The program structures incentives by utility service territory and technology (solar at $0.50–$1.00/W depending on category and utility; battery at $450/kWh), with a $2,500 pre-installation development assistance grant and a $30,000–$50,000 per-project solar cap and $13,500 battery cap. Eligible nonprofits must demonstrate direct service delivery to disadvantaged communities and be registered with Oregon Secretary of State.
Program details
- Program ID
- 22563
- Last updated
- 5/30/2025
Eligibility
- Sectors
- nonprofit tribal government low income residential
- Technologies
- solar photovoltaics lithium-ion
Program summary
To make going solar easier and more affordable for eligible nonprofits, tribes, and affordable multifamily housing projects, Energy Trust of Oregon offers a Solar Development Assistance incentive of $2,500 — to help determine the potential of a solar or solar + battery storage projects — as well as increased solar installation incentives that are higher than regular incentives. Incentive amount is dependent on the system size and the electric utility service territory the system is located in.
To be eligible for the increased solar incentives, the property must fit one of the following categories:
- Owned and operated by one of the nine federally recognized tribes of Oregon.
- Affordable multifamily property where at least 50% of the property’s dwelling units associated with the project, are and shall remain dedicated for residents who are at or below 80% area median income for at least 10 years after project completion.
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is a customer of Portland General Electric or Pacific Power, is registered with the Oregon Secretary of State and has a stated mission and track record of delivering programs directly benefiting communities and individuals including, but not limited to, Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, communities experiencing lower incomes, federally recognized Indian tribes, rural communities, coastal communities, communities with limited infrastructure, and other communities and individuals traditionally underrepresented in public presses and programs to incent and advance solar energy installations.
Incentives for Portland General Electric customers are as follows:
Project cap size for all solar projects is 360 kW-DC, battery projects must have a minimum capacity rating of 3 kWh
- Solar for Tribes: $1.00/W up to $50,000
- Solar for Affordable Housing: $0.70/W up to $42,000
- Solar for Qualifying Nonprofits: $0.50/W up to $30,000
- Battery Storage Incentives: $450/kWh up to $13,500
Incentives for Pacific Power customers are as follows
Project cap size for all solar projects is 360 kW-DC, battery projects must have a minimum capacity rating of 3 kWh
- Solar for Tribes: $1.00/W up to $50,000
- Solar for Affordable Housing: $0.65/W up to $39,000
- Solar for Qualifying Nonprofits: $0.50/W up to $30,000
- Battery Storage Incentives: $450/kWh up to $13,500
Contact & resources
- Contact email
- solar@energytrust.org
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
