If you install solar energy panels on your property, you can choose our Solar Payment Option that pays you for the power your system produces.
The Solar Payment Option is an alternative to Net Metering and existing Oregon tax incentives for solar projects. If you choose the Solar Payment Option, your project does not qualify for Oregon solar energy tax credits or Energy Trust of Oregon incentives, so you would be required to pay more of the up-front installation cost. You are, however, still eligible to receive available federal tax credits. For some customers, the Solar Payment Option may pencil out to be a more appealing financial arrangement, depending on individual circumstances.
PGE will pay you for the power your system generates up to the amount of electricity you use. If your system generates more power in any month than you can use, excess generation gets credited to later months. Excess generation above your annual usage, however, is not eligible for payment. For details on how this works, see Solar Payments. See the steps below.
Eligible projects
Your small- to medium-sized solar project is eligible for enrollment in the Solar Payment Option program if it meets these qualifications:
- Permanently installed and in PGE’s service territory
- Nameplate capacity of 100 kilowatts or less
- Must utilize new equipment
- Not already enrolled in Net Metering and has not received Energy Trust incentives or Oregon tax credits
- Installed by a qualified Energy Trust solar trade ally contractor
- Covered by liability insurance
- Must have $1 million in liability insurance
For more information, see the Solar Payment Option rate schedule (PDF).
Getting started: Find a contractor
PGE does not design, construct or install photovoltaic systems. To qualify for the Solar Payment Option, systems must be installed by a qualified Energy Trust solar trade ally contractor.
Steps for participating in the Solar Payment Option
- Apply for the Solar Payment Option. The Capacity Reservation Application requires a deposit of $500 or $20 per kW, whichever is greater. Once you receive a capacity reserve date from PGE, you have two months to submit an Interconnection Application (step 2) and 12 months to complete the project, at which time your deposit is refunded. New capacity is available twice per year on the first business day of April and October.
- You will also need to complete one of the following Solar Payment Option Interconnection Applications:
Note: Some systems may require a Level 3 Interconnection Application (PDF) due to special circumstances discovered after a Level 1 or Level 2 application review.
- You will also need to complete an Interconnection Agreement (PDF). You may wish to sign and include the agreement with your Interconnection Application to expedite the process.
- When your system is completed and has passed the appropriate local inspections, contact PGE. We will perform a final inspection and install the solar generation meter, which tracks the amount of power your system produces. This is different than a regular PGE smart meter. Your contractor is responsible for installing the generation meter base and all of the associated wiring. See Solar Payment Option diagram (PDF). See Solar Payments for information on how you’ll receive payments. Don’t forget to claim your federal tax credit.
- After your solar generation meter is installed by PGE, you will be required to take a Solar Payment Option survey. This is the first of three surveys that you must complete as a condition of participating in the program. The surveys will be used by the State of Oregon to evaluate the effectiveness of this pilot.
See our Solar Payment Option Customer Checklist (PDF) for more information.
Contact us
To contact the Solar Payment Program, email us or call
800-722-9287. Mail your completed Interconnection Application and Interconnection Agreement to:
- PGE Solar Payment Option
- P.O. Box 4079
- Portland, OR 97208-4079
Back to top