ODOE Renewable Energy Grant Program Round Two Awards

ODOE Renewable Energy Grant Program Round Two Awards

The Oregon Department of Energy recently announced the second round grant recipients for the Community Renewable Energy Grant Program. Three applications in Hood River County were successful. 

Cascade Locks City Hall
The City of Cascade Locks was awarded a grant for construction of a solar plus storage microgrid at Cascade Locks City Hall. The project will use solar to offset utility costs and battery storage to provide backup power during long duration power outages. The City is waiting to hear back from FEMA about a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program application for the same project, which would fund a new roof that is needed for the project to move forward.

Mt. Hood Town Hall
Hood River County was awarded a planning grant to refine the design of a solar plus storage system at Mt. Hood Town Hall. A feasibility analysis in 2021 generated a number of questions. This planning process intends to answer the outstanding questions and produce a design that’s ready for implementation. 

Dee Hydro
The City of Hood River was awarded a construction grant for an in-line hydroelectric project at Dee Bridge. 

Learn more about the grant program and the projects that were awarded by reading ODOE’s press release. 

Solarize Hood River County

Solarize Hood River County

Haga clic aquí para visitar la página web de «Más energía solar en el condado de Hood River» en español. 

Photo provided by Scott Sorensen.

Thanks for participating in Solarize Hood River County!

The Solarize Hood River County campaign ran from September 6 – October 31, 2022. Over 100 households signed up for a free custom bid during the campaign. If you are interested in learning more about solar energy and battery storage, check out the campaign videos below.

Although the campaign is no longer running, households can still be connected with an Energy Trust of Oregon trade ally contractor to request a free custom bid by visiting the following website: Energy Trust of Oregon Solar Bid.

What are the benefits of solar and battery storage?

Installing solar helps you save money on your monthly electric bill. Adding home battery storage to solar allows you to power your home with solar AND save any extra solar power in the battery to use during a power outage when you really need it. These systems use clean energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Clean and resilient renewable energy helps to build community-wide prosperity, one household at a time.

solar panels on roof

Foto ofrecida por Scott Sorensen.

Learn more about Hood River County Solarize, solar energy, and solar+storage, and financial incentives by watching the Solarize Hood River workshop videos below.

Introduction
Campaign overview
Solar basics
What makes a home good for solar?
Battery storage

Incentives

Signup and installation

Who was involved in Solarize Hood River County?

The Hood River County Solarize campaign was a community effort that was supported by the following organizations:

Hood River County’s Solarize campaign made efforts to increase access to solar for all residents and provided resources in both English and Spanish. The campaign also worked to reach people with low or moderate income to help them learn about higher income-qualified incentives like Energy Trust of Oregon’s Solar Within Reach and the Oregon Solar+Storage rebate.

Contact MCEDD Energy & Project Manager Lindsay McClure at lindsay@mcedd.org with any questions.

Creating Equitable Access

Creating Equitable Access

This project promotes equitable access to energy efficient and resilient homes. The goals for this project include increasing awareness of existing programs that provide support for energy efficiency and solar programs among low- moderate income and communities of color; identifying and addressing barriers to accessing resources; and exploring how to develop a cohort of trusted contractors that are available to meet local demand for this work.

A report from phase one is linked here. 

Residential Solarize Campaign

Residential Solarize Campaign

Solar paired with storage can reduce energy bills and protect people during outages. However, lack of information and other barriers can impede adoption. This project included the coordination of an educational campaign that invited homeowners to learn about the benefits and process of installing solar and energy Storage.