Oregon Department of Energy Awarded National State Leadership in Clean Energy Award
ODOE Government Relations Coordinator Christy Splitt accepted the award on the agency’s behalf at the Clean Energy States Alliance conference in Washington, DC.
Contact: Jennifer Kalez, 503-480-9239
SALEM — The Oregon Department of Energy announced today that it has been awarded a State Leadership in Clean Energy (SLICE) award from the Clean Energy States Alliance.
ODOE’s Solar + Storage Rebate Program was one of only six state programs recognized at CESA’s national membership meeting held this week in Washington, DC. CESA, a nonprofit coalition of public agencies working together to advance clean energy, established the biennial awards to highlight model programs and projects that accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies and strengthen clean energy markets. ODOE previously won a SLICE Award in 2018 for its Renewable Energy Development Grant Program.
The Solar + Storage Rebate Program stood out to the 2022 SLICE judging panel for its collaborative approach and focus on expanding access to renewable energy to Oregonians who may not otherwise be able to afford the investment in solar, noting that “This program was thoughtfully designed to maximize participation by low-income communities, with impressive results.”
Homeowners are eligible for rebates up to $5,000 for solar and an additional $2,500 for paired energy storage installed together. Oregonians with low or moderate incomes are eligible for higher incentive rates per watt of solar installed. Low-income service providers – such as nonprofits, municipalities, or other organizations serving low-income Oregonians – are eligible for rebates up to $30,000 for solar plus $15,000 for paired storage. At least 25 percent of rebate funds are reserved for low- or moderate-income residential customers and low-income service providers.
The rebate program was established in 2019 with bipartisan support from the Oregon Legislature and an initial $2 million program budget. ODOE’s community partners, like the Oregon Solar + Storage Industries Association and the program’s approved contractors, helped make the program a success — with all funding reserved for rebates within nine months of program launch. In 2021 and 2022 the Legislature allocated an additional $15 million total to continue the popular program. To date, ODOE has reserved funds for more than 1,800 projects in 29 counties.
“We’re grateful to the Clean Energy States Alliance for again recognizing Oregon as a leader in clean energy,” said ODOE Director Janine Benner. “The Solar + Storage Rebate Program makes a difference in communities across the state by expanding access to renewable energy, strengthening community resilience, and supporting local solar jobs”
ODOE is currently accepting rebate reservations from approved contractors – learn more on ODOE’s website.