Governor Ted Kulongoski is already preparing for the new legislative session in January. As part of his climate change proposals, the Oregon governor plans to introduce legislation that would allow customer generators to make money on power they send back to the grid. Essentially a feed-in tariff, the plan is similar to that which has been so successful in Germany, propelling that country into the global lead in solar power generation.

This would make Oregon the first state in the nation to incorporate such an incentive (although Gainesville, Fla. is considering a similar plan). Kulongoski’s plan outlines a pilot project for the program, but the exact incentive amount is still undetermined. This may very well be up to the Oregon Public Utilities Commission.

This plan is the next in a long line of Oregon initiatives to promote solar and other renewable power sources in the state. Oregon has one of the more aggressive renewable energy standards and progressive incentives for both commercial and residential solar systems.

Progress is evident in the state. In just the last two years seven solar manufacturers have set up shop in Oregon, resulting in $1.5 billion in investments and 2,000 green-collar jobs. In fact, a big influence on Kulongoski’s plan may come from SolarWorld AG, the German-based company which opened a plant in Hillsboro, Ore. this month. SolarWorld’s cell manufacturing plant is currently the biggest in North America.

Click here for approved solar contractors in Oregon.

Posted on October 31st in Solar News by Dan.