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Energy Trust Nonprofit/Government Incentives*

Our current incentives for nonprofit and government entities are somewhat higher than the incentives for commercial entities. If your organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or government entity and you are an Oregon customer of Pacific Power or Portland General Electric (PGE), you are eligible for these rates.

Energy Trust incentives are based on the rated power capacity of the solar array in watts_DC. The per-watt and maximum incentive amounts are listed below:

For systems up to 100 kW, Energy Trust will own the green tags during the first 20 years of operation. Incentive amounts are subject to change.

Use this incentive calculator to determine the incentive rate for your proposed project. Simply choose your utility and enter the system size in watts_DC.

Incentive Estimator
Select PGE Pacific Power	Enter System Size in WattsDC
Incentive Rate:	$0.00
Incentive Amount:	$0.00

Self-direction FAQ (only applies to very large commercial electricity users)

Ownership Options

As a nonprofit/government organization, you have two options for installing a solar electric system on your property. The first option foregoes the federal tax incentives, but gives you long term ownership of the system. The second option fully utilizes the tax incentives, but typically requires that you purchase the solar electricity from a third party system owner instead of owning the system yourself. Your choice will depend on your financial situation and your long term goals.

1. Direct ownership: 
   
   Purchase a solar electric system and hire a contractor to install the system on your property. The system will be net metered at your facility so you will enjoy reduced energy costs for the life of the system. These financial incentives will apply:
   
   • Energy Trust nonprofit/government incentive – paid to nonprofit/government organization after installation is complete and verified by Energy Trust.
     
   • Oregon Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) pass-through – approximately 30-35% of eligible system cost (amount to be specified by Oregon Department of Energy in December 2007) paid by the pass-through partner to the nonprofit/government organization after installation is complete and certified by Oregon Department of Energy.
     
     
2. Third party ownership:
   
   Allow a third party company to install, own and operate a solar electric system on your property, and agree to purchase the electricity generated by the system. Typically the third party company you choose to work with will provide a turnkey installation. The amount of initial cost, if any, to your nonprofit/government organization depends on the investment and ownership model offered by the third party. The financial incentives will be claimed by the third party owner of the system.
   
   • Energy Trust nonprofit/government incentive – paid to third party system owner (or its designated payee) after installation is complete and verified by Energy Trust.
   • Oregon Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) – 50% of eligible system cost claimed by third party as state income tax credit over 5 year period (10% of eligible cost per year).
   • Federal Investment Tax Credit - 30% of installed system cost claimed by third party as federal income tax credit (will drop from 30% to 10% after December 31, 2008).
   • Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) – System cost depreciated by third party on accelerated 5-year federal depreciation schedule.
   • Third party ownership FAQ

How to participate

Eligibility requirements

• You must be an Oregon customer of Portland General Electric or Pacific Power.
• Solar electric systems must be grid-tied and net metered.
• Systems must be installed by an approved Energy Trust solar trade ally contractor.
• Incentive applications must be pre-approved by Energy Trust prior to installation.
• All system components must be new.

How to apply

• Direct Ownership
  1. Select a contractor to install your solar electric system.
  2. Work with your contractor to apply to Oregon Department of Energy for a state tax credit (BETC) pass-through.
  3. Sign an Energy Trust incentive application (Form 220C) provided by your contractor, who will submit it us on your behalf.
  4. After Energy Trust pre-approves your application, your contractor installs the system.
  5. After the installation passes code and Energy Trust inspections, Energy Trust pays the incentive amount directly to you or you have the option to assign payment to your contractor.
  6. Submit final tax credit certification documentation to the Oregon Department of Energy.
  7. Receive a check from your BETC pass-through partner.
• Third Party Ownership
  1. Select a third party company and sign an agreement with them.
  2. Sign an Energy Trust incentive application (Form 220T with Third Party Ownership Guide) with the third party system owner and submit to Energy Trust.
  3. After Energy Trust pre-approves your application, the third party oversees installation of the system.
  4. After the installation passes code and Energy Trust inspections, Energy Trust pays the incentive amount to the third party owner or its designated payee.
  5. The third party owner will claim all state and federal tax incentives.

Third party ownership FAQ

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If you're ready to plug into the sun, call us at 1-866-368-7878.

*Incentives subject to change.