The Oregon Department of Energy has selected 34 recipients to receive nearly $18 million in Community Renewable Energy Grant Program funds. This is the third round of funding for the program, and over $2 million awarded is coming to southern Oregon! Southern Oregon University and the Phoenix-Talent School District are among the winners of construction resilience grants. These grants provide funding for solar projects coupled with storage. This is the third award to Southern Oregon University and the second for the Phoenix-Talent School District from the program.
$2 Million Awarded to Education
Southern Oregon University | Construction Resilience | $1,000,000
Installation of net metered 159 kW parking lot canopy solar PV system, generating 237,897 kWh annually with an 184 kWh battery to maintain internet communications and provide community support services at the Lithia Center during emergency events.
Phoenix Talent School District | Construction Resilience | $1,000,000
Installation of 108 kW solar PV, generating 168,600 kWh annually with a 440kW battery at Talent Elementary School. The school is a focal point for community activities, gatherings, and support networks, while also serving as a primary evacuation center, community shelter, and food and medical assistance location.
Enhancements to Energy Resiliency
The Community Renewable Energy Grant Programs will provide additional solar and storage resources for Southern Oregon University and Talent Elementary! That means these schools will still have power during an electrical outage, just like residential storage. These renewable energy resources, coupled with battery storage, could potentially serve as resiliency hubs. These facilities would have the potential to serve residents in the event of an emergency where they could support residents through emergency management, coordinate communication, distribute resources, and provide emergency power.
“The Oregon Department of Energy is proud to offer this grant program, which supports projects that generate renewable energy and strengthen resilience in Oregon communities,” said ODOE Director Janine Benner. “We were pleased to see previous planning grant awardees return to request construction funding to make their projects a reality. That’s one thing that makes this program so valuable and unique – it can support important community projects from start to finish.”
The Community Renewable Energy Grant Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 2021 to support projects outside Portland city limits. ODOE awarded a first round of $12 million in grants in 2022 and a second round in 2023 and expects to make at least one more round of funding available in 2025.