General

Solar rebate program expands

OPPD is expanding its solar rebate program this year after selling out of solar rebates during a pilot program last year.

The solar rebates are now available for new customer-owned solar systems installed with an OPPD solar Trade Ally. The rebates are worth $2,000, said Sam Hueser, product manager for OPPD’s Product Development and Marketing department.

Customers must use a company that is part of OPPD’s solar Trade Ally program. The company that does the work  must apply for the rebate on behalf of the customer.

OPPD vets and approves the companies on the trade ally list. The utility trains the companies on the application process.  OPPD also monitors the companies’ sales and marketing practices to ensure they are up-front and honest with customers about the benefits of solar. OPPD requires the companies to meet a list of qualifications, including maintaining certain insurance coverage and certifications as well as having a local office that customers can visit.

“Some of our customers have been taken advantage of by the less reputable solar companies,” Hueser said. “Protecting our customers is very important to us, so we want to encourage our customers to use a trade ally.”

Interest in solar continues to grow and isn’t likely to wane anytime soon, Hueser said.

“We received over 800 interconnection applications for customer-owned generation in 2022. Most of those were solar systems for residential customers,” he said.