Solar
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General Information
Incentives
Useful Links
General Information
Central Oregon is a great place to install solar panels as we have an estimated 300 sunny to partial sunny days per year. There are many different photovoltaic systems available for your home or business. Depending on your needs you can install either or both passive or active systems. Passive solar refers to using sunlight for energy without active mechanical systems. These Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight into usable heat, cause air-movement for ventilating, or store heat for future use. Active solar uses mechanical or electrical devices, such as solar panels, to convert solar energy into usable energy such as heat or electricity. Active solar can be used to run your pumps for irrigation, generate electricity, or heat water. Both of these systems are eligible for certain incentives.
Permitting
On agricultural lands, solar electricity projects may require a building permit, electrical permit or both from the building department.
LOCAL
Solar incentives can vary depending on your energy provider. Contact them directly for more information:
Central Electric Co-op
Midstate Electric Co-op
Pacific Power & Light
STATE
Oregon Business Energy Tax Credits: Qualifying renewable energy resource equipment, manufacturing facilities, and renewable energy resource facilities including high efficiency combined heat and power facilities, completed on or after January 1, 2007 are eligible for a tax credit equal to 50 percent of eligible costs. Qualifying homebuilders installed renewable energy facilities completed on or after January 1, 2007 are eligible for a tax credit of $9,000 and qualifying high performance homes completed on or after January 1, 2007 are eligible for a $12,000 tax credit. An Oregon business or non-profit entity qualifying for the tax credit may transfer the credit through the Pass-through Option in return for a cash payment.
FEDERAL
USDA Rural Development Agency’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program offers competitive grants for up to 25% of the costs of energy efficiency projects. Prior to applying, you must have an energy audit completed by a certified assessor. For more information go to www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/rbs
USDA Rural Development Program, Value Added Producer Grant Program offers competitive grants for renewable energy projects. These grants can cover up to 50% of the eligible project costs, and can be used for planning (feasibility studies, business planning, marketing planning, etc) with a maximum of $100,000 per project, or working capital projects (purchase inventory, marketing campaigns, etc) at a maximum of $300,000 per project. For more information go to http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/or/rbs
State of Oregon Renewable Resources Information for Solar
http://oregon.gov/ENERGY/RENEW/Solar/docs/PVGuide06.pdf
Reference
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Opportunities for Oregon’s Agricultural Producers. Oregon Department of Agriculture
