You can estimate the performance of potential PV projects using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts Calculator.

If you’re interested in making a solar energy upgrade on your home or commercial building in Tigard start here.

• City of Tigard solar permitting and inspection checklist.
• City of Tigard Building Division solar application.
• City of Tigard Development Code.
• Optional – check with PGE for net metering options.

Solar For All presentation at the Tigard Public Library
March 28th, 2024

Are you considering solar for your home or business? Unsure of how it works and where to start? You can go solar even if you rent your home or your home isn’t ideal for traditional solar panels. Solar Oregon and Oregon Clean Power Cooperative (OCPC) will shine a light on your solar energy options.

The City of Tigard received a Silver designation from the national SolSmart program for encouraging the growth of clean, affordable solar energy at the local level.  As a SolSmart Silver designee, Tigard has adopted nationally recognized best practices to advance solar market growth. SolSmart is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy that has helped hundreds of local governments become “open for solar business." Learn more about the program here.

Solar Dashboard
Activity by Year	Thru 2021	2022	2023 (YTD)	2024
Solar Permits Issued	650	190	150
Avg. Permit Processing Timelines	N/A	2 weeks	2 weeks
Solar Inspections Performed	592	179	124

Note: Through March 2023, Tigard has 748 Solar PV installations with a total Nameplate Capacity of 8,756 kW and 28 battery storage installations with a combined total maximum continuous output of 218 kW.

City of Tigard solar projects in the community include:

1.  Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant-funded microgrid (Solar PV/BESS) feasibility study for energy resiliency at three scales-- building, public realm, and district. Implementation will provide resilient energy for the Tigard Public Library.
   
   
2. Partnerships with our electric utility, Portland General Electric, on their Drive Change fund for EV charging, and Energy Trust of Oregon to further the reach of their energy efficiency and solar energy programs.
    
3. 32Kw Rooftop solar PV array installed in 2022 on the 49-unit Red Rock Commons, Community Partners for Affordable Housing.
   

 

---

 

---

Walmart on 72nd Avenue

 

Clean Water Services on Durham: Ground-Mounted-Solar-PV

 

Creekside High School

 

Finding a Contractor and Going Solar

 Find a solar contractor(s) to assess your home or business for solar energy and provide a quote.

• Energy Trust of Oregon maintains a list of licensed and insured solar trade ally contractors. https://www.energytrust.org/choosing-a-solar-contractor/
• Certified practitioners can be found through NABCEP.
• Visit EnergySage to learn about solar energy and submit for solar quotes from a network of pre-screened, local solar installers.
• Solar Customer Resource Portal – various resources from SEIA, the Solar Energy Industries Association.
• Solar Owner’s Manual – information for current solar homeowners to ensure they are getting the most out of their system from Solar United Neighbors.

---

Financing, Incentives, and Tax Exemptions

Typically, solar installations are paid for through loans, upfront payments, or a power purchase agreement (PPA). Federal and State incentives are available to help make solar an affordable option.

• Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics – learn about the federal tax credit, eligibility, and other common questions & answers from the U.S. Department of Energy.
• A Homeowner’s Guide to Solar Financing – learn about different financing options from CESA, the Clean Energy States Alliance.
• https://www.energytrust.org/incentives/solar-for-your-home/
• https://www.oregon.gov/energy/Incentives/Pages/Solar-Storage-Rebate-Program.aspx

---

Consumer Protections, Solar Rights, and Procedures

• Consumer Solar Checklist – a checklist for residential consumers considering solar energy from IREC, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
• https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_215.439
• Solar United Neighbors’ Solar Owner’s Manual - serves as a support for solar homeowners whether you’ve just gone solar or you’ve had solar for years.
• Clean Energy Consumer Bill of Rights – ensure a positive consumer experience by addressing important issues from IREC, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
• Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) – provide state-specific information on incentives and policies that support renewable energy and energy efficiency in the United States.
• A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Encouraging Solar Development through Community Association Policies and Processes – includes details on how communities can encourage solar development through community association policies and processes.

• State Policies: To educate our residents and businesses, the City has provided a summary of State policies related to a property owner’s solar access and solar rights, including links to policies.

  • Oregon's solar access laws date back to 1979 and state that no person conveying or contracting to convey a property title can include provisions that prohibit the use of solar energy systems on the property. Any provisions that prohibit the use of solar energy systems are void and unenforceable. https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_105.880
  • Solar energy systems allowed in residential and commercial zones https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_215.439
  • By Oregon law, HOAs cannot prohibit installation of solar PV systems as long as the system meets all health, safety, and performance standards required by state and local permitting authorities. However, HOAs may establish “reasonable” rules related to aesthetics and placement of solar equipment. (RCW 64.38.055) https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_94.778

---

Our Partners and Renewable Energy Programs

• Energy Trust of Oregon - An independent nonprofit organization dedicated to providing utility customers with low-cost, clean energy solutions.
• Solar Oregon - Recognizing that business, local governments and non-profit organizations all play a major role in reducing our energy footprint, Solar Oregon reaches out to the professional and corporate community to accelerate the development of solar energy in Oregon and southwest Washington.
• Business Oregon - Oregon's economic development agency, working to ensure a coherent, integrated approach to economic development.
  • Solar brochure - Information on how Oregon is working to encourage renewable energy equipment manufacturing as well as how your business can benefit.
• Portland General Electric (PGE) - Local energy provider serving over 1,800,000 people in the Portland Metro Area.
• Renewable Energy Options
• Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association - A trade association that promotes clean, renewable, solar technologies.
• Oregonians for Renewable Energy Progress - Organization working to advance the renewable energy transformation through innovative public policy solutions.
• Oregon's Solar Payment for Power Program: Includes ways to offset the cost of electricity you purchase from energy providers with the energy you generate at your home or business.
• Network for Oregon Affordable Housing (NOAH) - A statewide nonprofit that provides an array of financial tools for affordable housing, including pre-development loans, long-term financing, access to tax-exempt bond financing, and technical assistance.
• MPower Oregon: A simple and integrated solution for lowering energy and water-related costs for affordable housing properties.