Energy Trust's small wind program provides resources and cash incentives to help customers of Portland General Electric and Pacific Power install turbines up to 50 kilowatts.
Small wind turbines are a good renewable energy option for rural home owners, farmers, ranchers, municipalities, and other property owners who are located in windy areas and want to generate power from the wind. With Energy Trust incentives, plus state tax credits, you can offset as much as 50% of the cost of a turbine and generate your own clean, renewable power.
Energy Trust offers cash on small wind systems:
Homeowners: Incentives up to $35,000
Businesses: Incentives up to $60,000
Energy Trust provides technical assistance and financial incentives but does not develop, sell or install energy systems or equipment. This work is done by independent businesses that are solely responsible for the quality and performance of their installations.
What is the next step?
If you want to explore whether a small wind turbine makes sense for your property, see our How to Participate information. It outlines how to assess wind quality at your site, who is eligible for Energy Trust incentives and how an Energy Trust Small Wind Trade Ally can help you put the wind to work.
State of Oregon tax credits
The following tax credit information applies for systems installed after January 1, 2007.
Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC)
The Oregon Department of Energy offers a RETC of $2.00/kilowatt-hour produced in the first year of operation, up to $6,000. The credit must be claimed over four years at a maximum of $1,500 per year.
Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC)
Oregon Department of Energy offers a BETC of 50% of eligible system cost:
Credit is taken over 5 years, 10% per year.
A pass-through partner can be used for a lump sum 33.5% of eligible cost. (A project owner may be a public entity or non-profit organization with no tax liability or a business with tax liability that chooses to use the Pass-through Option.)
In addition, the site lists marketers of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)(also known as green tags or tradable renewable certificates), which represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from a renewable energy project. Whether or not consumers have access to green power through their local utility or a competitive electricity marketer, consumers can purchase RECs without having to switch electricity suppliers.
Wind Powering America
The U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America site provides state-by-state wind project information, including validated wind maps, anemometer loan programs, small wind guides, legislative briefings, wind working groups, and state-specific news.
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