Oregon is flipping the switch back on its Solar + Storage rebate program on June 15, putting $1.1 million back on the table for rooftop solar and home battery projects. Homeowners across the state can qualify for up to $5,000 toward a new solar electric system and up to $2,500 for an energy storage battery. The round also reserves larger awards for organizations that serve low-income Oregonians and is designed to widen access to renewable power.
Duard Headley, the Oregon Department of Energy’s energy incentives manager, told OPB he "would not be surprised if all of the incentives, at $1.1 million, were claimed in the first day." He said the agency expects to issue roughly 350 rebates and encouraged homeowners to consider pairing batteries with solar to capture savings during peak demand periods.
How the rebate round works
According to the Oregon Department of Energy, rebates are paid to ODOE-approved contractors, who pass the savings directly to customers. Contractors must submit a reservation application before starting construction or installation, and the program uses per-watt calculations and incentive caps that make low- and moderate-income households eligible for larger rebates.
Where the money came from
In a May press release via the Oregon Department of Energy, Director Janine Benner said, "We're excited to be able to offer a new round of solar and storage rebates through this program." ODOE says the $1.1 million comes from administrative savings and from canceled or incomplete projects from prior rounds, after the program ran out of funding in mid-2024.
What homeowners should do now
If you’re considering solar or storage, contact an ODOE-approved contractor early and ask them to submit a reservation before signing a contract or starting work. For guidance on choosing an installer and avoiding scams, see the U.S. Department of Energy’s Homeowners Guide to Solar, and be prepared to move quickly once reservations open on June 15.
