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The Oregon Department of Energy is accepting applications for funding through its Renewable Energy Development (RED) grant program.

Qualifying projects must produce electricity from a renewable resource such as biomass, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, landfill gas, biogas, or wave, tidal, or ocean thermal energy. Grant awards are capped at $250,000 per project, a sum that may not exceed 35 percent of the project cost.

ODOE uses a two-tier system for the competitive grants, so similar-size projects will be judged against each other. Projects will be scored on the amount of energy generated, job creation, community benefits, and more. Systems that can supply electricity when the larger grid is down due to extreme weather or other emergencies will earn more points.

The agency will award a total of approximately $1.5 million to projects up to 300 kilowatts and approximately $1.25 million to projects greater than 300 kilowatts.

Applications must be submitted by April 22. ODOE expects to begin notifying potential grant recipients this summer. Money will be awarded upon completion of the project.

Potential applicants can submit written questions through March 25. A subsequent Q-and-A will be posted online on April 1. More information is available at: .