Low-income Participants
You may not have had access to solar because you live in an apartment complex, rent a house, or can’t afford the upfront costs of installing a solar array. Community solar is different.
With the Oregon Community Solar Program you:
- don’t need to own your home
- don’t need a sunny roof suitable for solar
- can take your subscription with you if you move, and
- aren’t responsible for repairs and maintenance of the solar array
The Oregon Community Solar Program is designed to expand solar access for low-income utility customers. 10% of the program’s capacity has been reserved for low-income customers. If you qualify, you’ll get special benefits and protections as a subscriber. You’ll have:
- no upfront costs
- no termination fees
- discounts on subscription, and
- guaranteed savings on your energy bill
Am I Eligible?
The current income thresholds for the Oregon Community Solar Program are shown in the chart below. Eligible threshold numbers are updated annually.
Income Guidelines:
Household Unit Size | Annual Income | Monthly Income |
1 | $41,688 | $3,474 |
2 | $54,515 | $4,543 |
3 | $67,341 | $5,612 |
4 | $80,168 | $6,681 |
5 | $92,996 | $7,750 |
6 | $105,823 | $8,819 |
7 | $108,228 | $9,019 |
8 | $110,632 | $9,219 |
9 | $113,037 | $9,420 |
10 | $115,443 | $9,620 |
11 | $117,848 | $9,821 |
12 | $120,252 | $10,021 |
All participants must be Oregon customers of Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, or Idaho Power. For more information, visit our FAQ page or view our downloadable resources to the right.
How to Participate
- Schedule an appointment with Community Energy Project (CEP), our low-income partner. Choose a date and time that work for you using the widget below. CEP will help you verify that you’re a qualifying utility customer.
- For your appointment, you’ll need to know your household gross income (before taxes) and have your utility bill ready. It’s recommended that you read the materials in the Resources section on this page, such as the “How to Participate” document and the “Low-Income Subscriber Brochure” ahead of time.
- If you were offered a subscription directly from a Project Manager, you’ll be subscribed to their project. If you don’t have a specific project in mind, you’ll be assigned to an available solar project. If there are no projects currently available, you’ll be placed on a waitlist and subscribed as one becomes available.
Informational Resources
Subscription Sizing & Expected Annual Savings:
Subscriber Resources
For information about your low-income subscription—including guidance on program fees, credits, and payments and help reading your utility bill—visit the Subscriber Resources page.
Low-Income Benefits
It's good for the planet. When you power your home with clean, renewable energy from the sun, you help reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as air and water pollution.
It's minimal risk. Qualified low-income participants have no upfront costs or termination fees and can still be an investor with the same benefits as having your own rooftop solar.
It's accessible. Community solar is a great option for renters and other customers who want to use clean energy but may not have an ideal roof or the ability to invest in a rooftop system.
It's local. By subscribing, you’re investing in projects in Oregon and in your community, supporting local clean energy jobs.
We support you.
For assistance, please contact Community Energy Project, our low-income nonprofit partner.
CommunityEnergyProject.org
Community Solar Coordinator
971-544-8718
971-544-8720 (for Spanish)
[email protected]