Save the Date! OSSIA Annual Member Meeting, February 24 in Portland
Date: February 24, 2023
Start Time: 10am PST
Location: Crowne Plaza – Portland – Downtown Convention Center
Everyone MUST register if you wish to attend. All are welcome. Free for OSSIA members. Non-members $45.
In addition to networking, hearing from SEIA about IRA implementation, and learning about OSSIA’s 2023 agenda, members will vote on the new Board of Directors.
OSSIA has eight Board seats up for election which members will vote on at the meeting.
You are invited to run for an OSSIA board seat:
- You must be an OSSIA Member in good standing (all employees of OSSIA Member companies are members)
- You must fill out this formon or before February 3, 2023
- Board Member description of responsibilities here >
On February 10, 2023, all OSSIA members will receive an email including:
- which board members are re-running
- which board members are continuing their terms
- which NEW candidates have expressed interest.
Update on Oregon Dept of Energy Solar + Storage Rebate Funds
The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) has emailed out to enrolled contractors that Solar + Storage Rebate funds will be fully reserved this week for the non-income restricted bucket of funding. ODOE will evaluate in January how much – if any – of the funds from the income-restricted bucket can be moved to the non-income restricted pool of funds.
However, there are $3 million in funds left for income-restricted projects. Many OSSIA members have had success working with low- and moderate-income customers. If you haven’t already created a plan to expand your low- and moderate-income client base, now is the time! When combined with Energy Trust’s Solar Within Reach funding, these projects are financially possible for low- and moderate-income customers, expanding your company’s outreach into new markets. Don’t know where to start? OSSIA and Energy Trust are here to help.
Oregon Department of Energy Announces New Round of $12 Million in Grant Funding for Renewable Energy and Energy Resilience Projects
The Oregon Department of Energy is now accepting applications for the second round of funding through the agency’s Community Renewable Energy Grant Program. ODOE is making $12 million available to support planning and construction of renewable energy or energy resilience projects for Tribes, public bodies, and consumer-owned utilities.
Grant dollars are available for four types of projects: planning a renewable energy project, planning a renewable energy project that also has a resilience component, construction of a renewable energy project, or construction of a renewable energy project with a resilience component. Eligible projects include renewable energy generation systems like solar or wind, as well as energy storage systems, electric vehicle charging stations, or microgrid technologies paired with new or existing renewable energy systems. Eligible applicants are encouraged to partner with community groups, non-profits, private businesses, and others on potential projects. In October, the agency announced 21 recipients of the first round of grant funds totaling $12 million.
ODOE will again offer grants up to $100,000 for eligible planning projects and up to $1 million for eligible construction projects. Planning grants can cover up to 100 percent of eligible costs to develop a plan to build renewable energy and energy resilience projects. Construction grants for renewable energy projects can cover up to 50 percent of eligible costs to build the project, while construction grants for resilience projects can cover up to 100 percent. Awards will be made on a competitive basis, and priority will be given to projects that support energy resilience and that serve qualifying communities, including communities of color, low-income communities, Tribes, rural areas, and other traditionally underserved groups.
Applications are due by February 15, 2023 and will be checked for completeness before going through a competitively-scored review. Four program opportunity announcements with additional eligibility details are available on ODOE’s website. The agency encourages written questions from potential applicants by January 27; ODOE will post responses online, with a final Q&A posted by February 3.
Be the Solution: Help recruit the next generation into the solar industry
Please volunteer two-three hours a year to present a Careers in the Solar Industry PPT to community college students, high school students and job seekers.
Thanks to the Energy Trust of Oregon, Susan Martin, Portland Community College, Public Speaking faculty will teach a 2-hour training on best practices in public speaking and co-review the Careers in the Solar Industry presentation with Michelle Maher, Solar Workforce Development Program Director, OSSIA.
Contact Michelle Maher for more information. michelle@oseia.org
ODOE Now Recruiting for Grant Program Evaluation Committee
The Oregon Department of Energy is currently seeking community members to serve on our Community Renewable Energy Grant Program Evaluation Committee for an additional round of funding.
Evaluation committee members will be asked to review applications and make recommendations to ODOE’s Director about which projects should be funded. The time commitment will vary based on the number of applications received, but we expect the process to begin mid-March, with recommendations to the Director by early May.
If you are interested in serving on the evaluation committee, please fill out the online interest form by 5pm on February 15, 2023.
The form will ask basic questions about your background and interests in serving on the committee. Please note we will also ask if you have any conflicts of interest that could prevent participation, such as a relationship with a potential grant applicant.
Applicants who submitted an Interest Form during the previous round of program funding are encouraged to reapply.
