Oregon PUC OAR 860-039-0010 Solar Net Metering: Capacity Limits and Rules

Key Takeaways

• Oregon's OAR 860-039-0010 sets a residential net metering capacity cap of 25 kilowatts (August 2026).
• Non-residential net metering facilities are capped at two megawatts (August 2026) under the same rule.
• The rule does not limit the number of net metering facilities, but aggregate capacity on contiguous property must not exceed the applicable limit (August 2026).
• OAR 860-039-0010 outlines the scope and applicability of net metering rules for public utility customer-generators (August 2026).

What are the Oregon PUC OAR 860-039-0010 net metering rules?

Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 860-039-0010 establishes the kilowatt and megawatt limits for net metering facilities in Oregon. These rules apply to customer-generators of public utilities such as Portland General Electric (PGE), Pacific Power, and Idaho Power. The rule defines specific capacity caps for both residential and non-residential solar installations seeking net metering benefits (August 2026).

For residential customer-generators, the rules apply to net metering facilities that have a generating capacity of 25 kilowatts or less (August 2026). Non-residential customer-generators are subject to a higher limit; their net metering facilities must have a generating capacity of two megawatts or less (August 2026). The OAR 860-039-0010 also clarifies that there is no limit on the number of net metering facilities a customer-generator can have, provided the total aggregate capacity on their contiguous property does not exceed the applicable kilowatt or megawatt limit (August 2026).

What are the capacity limits for net metering facilities in Oregon?

Oregon's OAR 860-039-0010 specifies distinct capacity limits for net metering facilities based on the customer type. These limits are crucial for understanding eligibility for net metering programs within the state.

For residential customer-generators of a public utility, net metering facilities must have a generating capacity of 25 kilowatts or less (August 2026). This means that if you are a residential customer, your solar or other eligible renewable energy system must not exceed this output to qualify under these specific net metering rules.

For non-residential customer-generators of a public utility, the capacity limit is significantly higher. These facilities must have a generating capacity of two megawatts or less (August 2026). This allows larger commercial, industrial, or institutional solar projects to participate in net metering programs under the OAR 860-039-0010 framework.

These capacity limits are statutory requirements that define the scope and applicability of the net metering rules for facilities connected to the grid of Oregon's public utilities.

Does Oregon's OAR 860-039-0010 limit the number of net metering facilities?

No, OAR 860-039-0010 does not impose a limit on the number of net metering facilities a single customer-generator can install. The rule states that nothing in these rules is intended to limit the number of net metering facilities per customer-generator (August 2026).

However, there is an important condition: the aggregate generating capacity of all net metering facilities on the customer-generator’s contiguous property must not exceed the applicable kilowatt or megawatt limit (August 2026). This means that while you can have multiple separate installations, their combined output must remain within the 25 kilowatts for residential properties or two megawatts for non-residential properties (August 2026). This provision ensures that the overall impact on the grid remains within the established regulatory thresholds, even if the generation comes from several smaller systems on the same property.

What other provisions does OAR 860-039-0010 cover?

Beyond defining capacity limits, Oregon's OAR 860-039-0010 addresses several other key aspects of net metering facilities. These provisions provide a comprehensive framework for how net metering operates within the state.

The rule includes sections that reference:

• Scope and Applicability of Net Metering Facility Rules (August 2026): This outlines which facilities and customer types fall under the purview of these regulations.
• Installation, Operation, Maintenance, and Testing of Net Metering Facilities (August 2026): This section refers to the requirements for how net metering systems are set up, run, kept in working order, and verified.
• Net Metering Facility Requirements (August 2026): This covers the specific technical and administrative criteria that net metering installations must meet.
• Net Metering Billing (August 2026): This addresses how electricity consumption and generation are accounted for on customer bills.
• Excess Energy from Net Metering Facilities (August 2026): This provision details how any surplus energy generated by a net metering facility, beyond what the customer consumes, is handled.
• Aggregation of Meters for Net Metering (August 2026): This refers to rules concerning combining readings from multiple meters for net metering purposes.
• Net Metering Insurance (August 2026): This section covers the insurance requirements for net metering facilities.

These references indicate the breadth of topics covered by OAR 860-039-0010, providing a regulatory foundation for net metering operations across Oregon's public utilities.

How were these rules verified?

We verified the details of Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 860-039-0010 by directly consulting the official Oregon Public Law website. Our verification process on August 23, 2026, involved reviewing the specific rule citation "# OAR 860-039-0010 Net Metering Kilowatt Limit" to confirm the stated residential and non-residential capacity limits, as well as the provisions regarding contiguous property aggregate limits and other referenced sections. All figures and statements in this article are derived directly from this primary source.

Where can I find more information on Oregon solar regulations?

Understanding the full landscape of solar regulations in Oregon requires reviewing multiple administrative rules. For details on interconnection standards, you can consult our guide on Oregon PUC Level 1 OAR 860-039-0030 Interconnection Guide.

If you are interested in comparing Oregon's net metering rules with those in other states, we also provide guides on Colorado PUC Solar Net Metering Guide and Florida PSC Solar Net Metering Guide. These resources can help you understand the varying regulatory environments for solar energy across different jurisdictions.