Oregon Department of Energy Announces $2 Million in Grant Funding for Renewable Energy Projects Across the State

Contact:
Jennifer Kalez, 503-480-9239
Rachel Wray, 503-689-0294

SALEM — The Oregon Department of Energy is pleased to announce it is accepting applications for its Renewable Energy Development Grant program. ODOE has approximately $2 million available for projects that generate renewable energy in Oregon.

Qualified systems must produce electrical energy from a renewable resource such as biomass, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, landfill gas, biogas, or wave, tidal, or ocean thermal energy. Grants are capped at $250,000 per system and may not exceed 35 percent of the project cost.

ODOE has developed a two-tier system for the competitive grants, so similarly-sized projects compete together. The agency will allocate about $500,000 in RED Grant funds to projects sized up to 300 kW (AC). Another $1.5 million will be allocated to projects greater than 300 kW (AC).

Projects are scored using a number of criteria, including amount of energy generated, job creation, community benefits, and more. New for this round, points will also be awarded for projects that are designed with resiliency in mind. Renewable systems that are capable of supplying electricity when the larger grid is unavailable – due to extreme weather or other emergencies – will earn more points.

This is the seventh round of RED Grants offered by the agency. Previous recipients include Oregon businesses, agricultural producers, manufacturers, public entities, and nonprofit agencies – with projects ranging from solar arrays to hydropower systems to biogas facilities.

Applications are due by April 2, 2018 and will be checked for completeness before going through a competitively-scored review. ODOE expects to begin notifying potential recipients in late spring.

A full opportunity announcement and application materials are available at www.oregon.gov/energy/At-Work/Pages/Renewable-Energy-Grants.aspx. The agency encourages written questions from potential applicants by February 26. The resulting Q&A will be posted on ODOE’s website by March 5.

Check out previous RED Grant winners, including Coyote Trails School of Nature (pictured above), Santiam Valley Ranch, and Bend Area Habitat for Humanity.