Solar energy installations are on the rise in the United States. As the cost to install solar panels drops, more homes and businesses are using solar electricity.
While the price of solar panels has dropped, solar energy has not yet achieved "grid parity" in Oregon. Parity is reached when the alternative energy source (solar power) can generate energy at about the same cost as purchasing the equivalent amount of power from the electricity grid.
Working with partners and stakeholders, we are implementing a federal
Northwest Solar Communities grant to make residential solar energy more competitive by reducing soft costs.
We also work with municipalities and cities to streamline permitting. With our partner, the
Energy Trust of Oregon , we are streamlining incentive applications through an online portal called Power Clerk. Streamlining efforts have reduced the administrative burden for consumers and contractors.