Pending Legislation

SB 838 - Renewable Energy Standard (originally introduced as SB 373) - Creates a Renewable Energy Standard that calls for 25% of the state's electricity to come from new renewable sources by 2025.

HB 2211 - BETC - Increases Oregon's Business Energy Tax Credit for renewable energy systems or manufacturing plants from 35% to 50% of eligible project cost, and increases project cost limit to $20 million.  Also makes tax credits for renewable energy systems on new homes available to the homebuilder.

HB 2212 - RETC - Clarifies that homeowners can claim Residential Energy Tax Credits for multiple renewable energy measures, such as a solar water heater and a PV system, installed in the same tax year.

HB 2620 - Solar on Public Buildings - Requires that 1.5% of the budget for construction of state-funded new public buildings be used to include solar technology in the building.

Visit the Oregon State Legislature website for more information on the status of these bills.

Solar Policy

Solar policy information for Oregon and other states can be found in the Database for State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, which is the source for much of the information provided below.

Net Metering

Oregon enacted legislation in 1999 (HB 3219) that allowed net metering for customers with solar, wind or hydropower systems up to 25 kilowatts (kW) in capacity. The law was expanded in June 2005 (by SB 84) to include landfill gas; digester gas; waste; dedicated energy crops; and low-emission, nontoxic biomass derived from wood, forest or field residues. More…

NEW! The Oregon Public Utility Commission is considering rule changes increasing the size limit and changing from monthly to annualized measurement of net kWh usage and generation.  More…

Property tax exemption

Oregon’s property tax exemption states that the added value to any property from the installation of a qualifying renewable energy system not be included in the assessment of the property’s value for property tax purposes. More…

Solar Access Laws

Oregon state law allows municipalities and local authorities to establish solar access laws. Access laws are intended to protect solar access to the south face of buildings during solar heating hours, taking into account existing development, vegetation, and planned uses. More…

Public Benefits Fund

Oregon's 1999 electric-utility restructuring legislation (SB 1149) required Pacific Power and Portland General Electric (PGE) to collect a 3% public-purpose charge from their customers to support renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects. The Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) authorized the Energy Trust of Oregon, an independent non-profit organization, to administer these programs beginning in 2002. More…