At least 116 megawatts of new solar energy development will soon be underway in Oregon, supported by the state’s Solar Development Incentive (SDI) program.

Oregon’s SDI program was approved by the 2016 legislature, and is intended to encourage utility-scale solar development in the state.  Through a one-time application process, the program provides solar developers of approved projects with a cash incentive of $0.005 per kilowatt-hour of solar electricity generated for a period of five years.  Oregon expects that the SDI program will cost the state approximately $8.2 million over the life of the program.

To be eligible for the program, each project must be between 2 and 10 megawatts in size, and no single developer can enroll more than 35 megawatts of solar generation capacity. 

Although enrolled capacity is capped at 150 megawatts, Business Oregon – the state economic development agency charged with overseeing the SDI program – received 55 applications representing 293 megawatts of solar capacity. 

So far, 15 projects owned by eight developers have been selected for participation in the SDI program, for a total of 116 megawatts of new solar energy generation in the state.  The projects are located primarily in central, southern, and eastern Oregon. 

Award announcements for additional projects are expected in the weeks ahead. 

 

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Photo of Kate D’Ambrosio Kate D’Ambrosio

Kate D’Ambrosio is an attorney in the Energy Development group. She has experience in regulatory compliance and enforcement defense in energy and environmental law, and in litigation matters related to the trading, ownership, and transportation of energy commodities.

Prior to joining Stoel Rives…

Kate D’Ambrosio is an attorney in the Energy Development group. She has experience in regulatory compliance and enforcement defense in energy and environmental law, and in litigation matters related to the trading, ownership, and transportation of energy commodities.

Prior to joining Stoel Rives, Kate was an associate with Bracewell LLP in Washington, D.C., where she also served as a summer associate. While in law school, Kate worked as a law clerk for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and as a legal intern for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Civil Division.

Click here for Kate D’Ambrosio’s full bio.