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Solar Water Heating
Incentives for homeowners investing in solar domestic water heating systems
Oregonians typically receive incentives from the following three funding sources to help pay for their solar installations. In general, these incentives are additive, and can be combined.
1. Federal - Residential income tax credit
30% of system cost, up to $2000
System cost is reduced by utility rebates
IRS form 5695 - Residential Energy Credits
Homeowner claims credit on tax return, does not need to "apply" for credit
2. State Tax Credit - Oregon Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC)
$0.60/kWh, up to $1,500
System must be installed by Tax Credit Certified Technician
Homeowner applies for credit after installation is complete
3. Incentives for utility customers
In most cases, systems must be installed by a contractor, and must be pre-approved for incentives before installation begins. Your contractor should be familiar with these programs and should help you with the application process.
If your utility is not listed below, check ODOE's list of energy suppliers or the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.
| Name of Utility | Location/Territory | Description of Incentive |
|---|---|---|
| Ashland Electric Utility | City of Ashland | $1,000 max cash rebate or zero-interest loan information under "Residential Energy Conservation Programs" and "Other Resource Saving Programs" |
| Cascade Natural Gas |
Parts of Central and Eastern Oregon |
$1,500 for solar water heaters; $1,000 for pool heating |
| Central Electric Cooperative | Serves Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson, Grant, Linn, Wasco and Lake counties | $375 - $500 cash discount (based on exposure) or solar water heater loan: up to $5,000 prime interest rate; above $5,000 interst rate prime plus 2% |
| Consumers Power | Parts of Benton, Lincoln, Lane, Linn, Polk, and Marion counties | $500 rebate for systems greater than 31 sqft |
| Douglas Electric Cooperative | Douglas county | $500 rebate for systems conforming to the "Bright Way to Solar" program |
| Emerald People’s Utility District | Alvadore, Cheshire, Dexter, Elmira, Fall Creek, Goshen, Jasper, Lorane, Marcola, Pleasant Hill, Saginaw, Veneta; parts of Coburg, Cottage Grove, Creswell, Eugene, Halsey, Junction City, and Springfield | $600 rebate and zero-interest loan up to $7,500 |
| Eugene Water & Electric Board | City of Eugene | $600 rebate for water heater and $1,100 rebate for pool plus zero-interest loan up to $4,000 |
| Salem Electric | Salem, Keizer | $600 rebate or 5% interest rate loans (amounts from $500 to $7,500) |
| Pacific Power | Parts of Portland metro area, NE and S OR | $1,500 for solar water heaters; $1,000 for pool heating |
| Portland General Electric | Parts of Portland metro area and other parts of OR | $1,500 for solar water heaters; $1,000 for pool heating |
| NW Natural | Willamette Valley, OR coast, Gorge | $1,500 for solar water heaters; $1,000 for pool heating |
Incentive amounts are subject to change. Each incentive program may include minimum eligibility requirements. Please use the links provided to visit to find current incentive levels offered by each organization, and to learn how to be eligible for their incentives.