The PGE Renewable Development Fund

Your dollars, working locally

The PGE Renewable Development Fund is made possible by a community of more than 235,000 Green Future customers, the largest renewable program in the country. RDF funds come from a portion of the payments that Green Future Choice and Block customers voluntarily pay in addition to their standard PGE electricity bill. Since its inception in 1999, the Renewable Development Fund has awarded 87 projects with more than $16.5 million, creating more than 16.6 MW of renewable generation. 

2022 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:

  • All or part of the costs of new “steel in the ground” renewable energy projects, as well as connected energy storage, that are directly connected to PGE’s grid or delivered to PGE pursuant to a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).  

  • New energy storage components connected to an existing renewable energy project. 

  • 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. Additional funding up to $7,500 is available for these efforts.  

Preference is given to projects:

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

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

  • Benefit environmental PGEjustice communities. 

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

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

Funding timeline and process

The 2023 Renewable Development Fund grant application process will open May 31, 2023. 

New in 2023, RDF applicants will complete an online grant application PGE.

This is 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. 

Key milestones
*tentative date

Date

May 31, 2023

Milestone

PGE begins accepting applications online. Be sure to review the new energy storage component this year!

Date

July 3, 2023

Milestone

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

Date

July 31, 2023

Milestone

Application closes at 5 p.m. PST.

Date

February 2024

Milestone

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

Date

August 30, 2026

Milestone

Deadline for project completion.

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. 

Make sure your project meets requirements

Review all applicant resources below to make sure your project meets the Renewable Development Fund requirements, preferences, goals, and scoring criteria. New in 2023, energy storage is required for solar projects hosted by private and government organizations, as well as multifamily and community centers hosted by nonprofits. For all other projects, battery storage is encouraged.  

Build a team

And with project partners and community members. 

Ask for help

Communicate with the Grants Manager with any questions. Reach out to RenewableDevFund@pgn.com. 

Get organized

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 online between May 31 and July 31, 2023. 

Applying to the Renewable Development Fund

View our list of resources below. We’re here to answer any questions you have at renewabledevfund@pgn.com.

“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

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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