Oregon Department of Energy Announces $1.5 Million for Renewable Energy Projects Across the State

Grants will support installation of photovoltaic systems for Oregon businesses and organizations. SALEM – The Oregon Department of Energy today announced 13 recipients of nearly $1.5 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.

ODOE received 27 applications by the December 15 deadline. Each of the applications received were for proposed photovoltaic (solar) systems. “Solar installations are booming across the country right now,” ODOE Energy Analyst Rob Del Mar explains. “The overall cost of installing panels has dropped, and with the renewal of the federal tax credit, the time is right for businesses and organizations to invest in this renewable energy resource.”

After a competitive review process, 13 projects were selected for this fifth round of RED grant funding, ranging from $10,000 to $165,000. The Oregon Military Department was allocated $99,000 for its Fort Oregon Solar project, which will install panels on military-owned buildings in Medford, Roseburg, Dallas, and Salem. In Milton-Freewater, $70,235 will help small business The Farm on Edwards Road install solar electricity for use in the production of free-range chicken eggs. The Southern Oregon Labor Temple Association, a nonprofit meeting space for unions in Central Point, was allocated $37,754. See below for a full list of selected projects.

ODOE’s grant funding news followed Governor Kate Brown’s February 16 announcement that Oregon has signed on with 16 other states for the Governors’ Accord for a New Energy Future. The bipartisan coalition commits to taking action to promote clean energy, clean transportation, and a modern electrical grid.

“Oregon is a long-standing energy leader, in part because businesses and nonprofits step up and make the switch to renewable energy,” ODOE Director Michael Kaplan said. “ODOE is proud to support these diverse projects that will generate renewable electricity for Oregon farms, small businesses, our military, and more.”

ODOE staff expect to finalize performance agreements over the next few months. 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: http://www.oregon.gov/energy/At-Work/Pages/Renewable-Energy-Grants.aspx.

Project  |  Technology Type  |  Location  |  Grant Amount

Fossil Lake Solar, LLC  |  Solar PV  |  Christmas Valley  |  $ 165,000

Pacific Solar Investments, Inc.  |  Solar PV  |  Wasco  |  $ 165,000

Obsidian Renewables, LLC  |  Solar PV  |  Lakeview  |  $ 165,000

Woodline Solar, LLC  |  Solar PV  |  Klamath Falls  |  $ 165,000

Lockheed Martin Corporation  |  Solar PV  |  Central Point  |  $ 165,000

Ewauna Solar 2, LLC  |  Solar PV  |  Klamath Falls  |  $ 165,000

Oregon Military Department  |  Solar PV  |  Multiple  |  $ 99,000

Willamina Solar, LLC  |  Solar PV  |  Willamina  |  $ 165,000

Emerald People's Utility District  |  Solar PV  |  Eugene  |  $ 58,355

Bethlehem Inn  |  Solar PV  |  Bend  |  $ 65,789

Southern Oregon Labor Temple Association  |  Solar PV  |  Central Point  |  $ 37,754

Lee N & Joseph Yetter  |  Solar PV  |  Azalea  |  $ 10,410

The Farm on Edwards Road, Inc.  |  Solar PV  |  Milton-Freewater  |  $ 70,235

Contact:

Jenny Kalez (503) 480-9239 Rachel Wray (503) 689-0294

Photo: Santiam Valley Ranch in Turner, Oregon received RED grants in 2012 and 2015 for photovoltaic projects.