The PGE Renewable Development Fund

The PGE Renewable Development Fund awards grants for clean energy projects in the community. These are funded by PGE customers who choose Green Future renewable energy programs. 

Your dollars, working locally

Your support of renewable energy is making a big difference in our community! See how you’re helping build new renewable energy projects right in our own backyard. Since 1999, PGE customers have supported renewable energy by choosing one of our Green Future℠ options. Their contributions support the Renewable Development Fund, which offers competitive grants for community clean energy projects. Since its inception in 1999, the Renewable Development Fund has awarded 75 projects with more than $16.5 million, creating more than 16.6 MW of renewable generation.

2021 Renewable Development Fund winners

Through our Renewable Development Fund, millions of dollars have been awarded to organizations throughout Oregon who are helping build a clean energy future.

PGEWho’s making a difference
How the PGE Renewable Development Fund works

Eligible projects will fall into one or more of these categories:

  • Wind, solar photovoltaic, geothermal, low impact hydroelectric, pipeline or irrigation canal hydroelectric, wave or tidal energy and low emissions biomass based on digester methane gas or solid organic fuels.

  • Research and development projects that facilitate renewable energy market transformation or the emergence of new renewable technologies.

  • Educational components directly associated with an RDF funded renewables project.

Preference is given to projects:

  • Hosted by a public or non-profit entity or in partnership with such an entity.

  • Located within PGE service area and/or owned by a PGE customer.

  • Benefiting environmental PGE justice communities.

  • Providing a substantial educational, environmental and economic benefit to the community and PGE customers.

  • Demonstrating efforts to obtain all other available funding sources, including incentives, grants, tax credits, in-kind donations or other creative efforts.

Funding timeline and process

Interested parties can access the 2022 application starting April 1, 2022. The submittal deadline is June 1, 2022.

PGE will make funds available through an open and competitive application process. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by third-party vendors in accordance with established evaluation criteria. Award funding is limited and will differ from project to project based on applicant request and available funding.

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit questions and get more information by emailing renewabledevfund@pgn.com.

What makes a good Renewable Development Fund project?

Applying to the Renewable Development Fund

Key milestones
*tentative date

Date

April 1, 2022

Milestone

PGE begins accepting applications to renewabledevfund@pgn.com inbox.

Date

May 1, 2022

Milestone

Application milestone – deadline for eligible projects to submit their incentive applications to the Energy Trust.

Date

June 1, 2022

Milestone

Application closes at 5 p.m. PDT.

Date

Dec. 9, 2022

Milestone

Public announcement of award decision (pending OPUC approval).*

Date

June 30, 2024

Milestone

Deadline for project completion.

“This solar installation is an opportunity for OMSI and PGE to lead by example together, educating and inspiring our community to advance regional sustainability goals and to take informed action in the fight against climate change. As a leader in the field of informal science education and developing interactive educational experiences that stimulate curiosity, we are very excited for the opportunity to generate community benefit on this scale.”
Erin Graham, President and CEO of Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, 2020 Renewable Development Fund award recipient

Get started

Contact the Energy Trust of Oregon

All Renewable Development Fund projects that are eligible to receive an Energy Trust installation incentive must work with an Energy Trust solar trade ally contractor and receive a cover letter through the Solar Development Assistance (SDA) incentive pathway prior to applying to the Renewable Development Fund. We encourage interested parties to work with our Energy Trust colleagues to determine proper timing.

Review award requirement information

Review all applicant resources below to make sure your project meets the Renewable Development Fund requirements, preferences, goals, and scoring criteria.

Gain support within your organization

And with project partners and community members.

Put together your project details

Discuss available funding sources, and develop a project timeline. Review PGE’s information about generating your own power.

Complete and submit your application

Complete and submit your application between April 1 and June 1, 2022.

Program Resources

We’re here to answer any questions you have at renewabledevfund@pgn.com.

Some of our completed projects

72 & Foster Apartments
Rockwood Boys & Girls Club
Banks Fire District No. 13
Tucker Maxon School
Oregon Zoo
Zenger Farms
Zenger Farms
Zenger Farms
Zenger Farms

1 / 9

72 & Foster Apartments

106.5 kW DC solar array - $180,976 awarded – project will be able to cover a majority of the electricity costs for shared common areas, allowing REACH CDC to maintain rent prices for low-income residents.

Rockwood Boys & Girls Club

100.8 kW DC solar array - $401,500 awarded – cost savings will strengthen youth programming and expand social services for Club clientele.

Banks Fire District No. 13

86 kW DC solar array - $230,100 awarded – as a volunteer fire station, savings from energy costs will go to equipment, training and outreach at local schools.

Tucker Maxon School

45.8 kW DC solar array - $127,443 awarded – project will help lower overall electricity costs for the hearing impaired-focused school, freeing up funding for either scholarships or curriculum enhancement that will tie back to renewable energy.

Oregon Zoo

216.6 kW DC solar array - $385,334 awarded – part of the zoo’s initiative to be 100% powered by renewable energy and provide hands-on learning for their 1.6 million annual visitors.

Zenger Farms

16.56 kW DC solar array - $65,730 awarded – funding allowed expansion of their Healthy Eating on a Budget program to show families and students how to make better choices and utilize freshly grown fruits and veggies.

Redd East

102.24kW DC solar array - $228,816 awarded – this property is a last mile logistics center where products from mid-sized farms can be stores and delivered to local businesses. Savings from the project will be passed onto the tenants of the building.

Clear Creek Communications

109.08 DC solar array - $286,056.80 awarded – provides a community benefit by reducing operational costs and supporting critical communication services in a rural area, especially during natural disasters.

Planned Parenthood of Salem

45.56kW DC solar array - $119,688 awarded – funding allows long-term resiliency and sustainability with savings being redistributed to serve over 5,000 individuals who access their offerings annually.

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