| Implementing Sector | State |
|---|---|
| Category | Regulatory Policy |
| State | Oregon |
| Incentive Type | Community Solar Rules |
| Web Site | https://www.oregoncsp.org/ |
| Administrator | Oregon Public Utility Commission |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies | Solar Photovoltaics |
| Applicable Sectors | Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential, Institutional |
| System Capacity Limit | 3MW |
| Program Capacity Limit | Initial capacity tier: 2.5% of each investor-owned utility’s 2016 system peak, estimated to be 160 MW collectively The Commission may authorize additional tiers beyond the initial capacity tier |
| Participant Credit Rate | Retail rate was used for the first half of the initial capacity tier. For the second tier, all customers will receive a 2% escalator annually from the retail rate and non-residential customers will receive 90% of the Tier 1 rate. |
| Low-Moderate Income Provisions | At least 10 percent of the total generating capacity of the Community Solar Program must be allocated exclusively for use by low-income residential customers. The respective bill credits associated with this allocation must be linked to discrete low-income residential customers. |
The Oregon Community Solar Program was first introduced through Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 860-088. This rule’s creation was directed under 2016 Senate Bill 1547, with administrative authority being given to the Public Utility Commission. Community Solar projects may only be approved if ownership is demonstrated for 50 percent or more of project nameplate capacity. Additionally, community solar projects must have a subscription minimum of 5 persons and not exceed 3 megawatts in nameplate capacity. Projects must be located in the Oregon service territory of an electric utility, with at least 10 percent of the project generating capacity allocated exclusively to low-income residential customers. A single participant’s ownership or subscription interest may exceed neither 40 percent of the project nor the retail electricity customer’s average annual consumption of electricity.
Start-up costs for the program are obtained via electric company rates, on-going costs are obtained through participants.
For further information regarding the program, see the Oregon Community Solar Program site.
| Name | SB 1547 (2016) |
|---|---|
| Date Enacted | 03/08/2016 |
| Effective Date | 07/01/2017 |
| OAR 860-88 | |
| Release of Remaining Capacity in the Initial Tier | 03/04/2022 |
