Energy Trust held its 2025 in-person Trade Ally Forums last month in Bend, Medford and Portland.

Across multiple days and locations, trade ally attendees participated in half-day presentations, breakout sessions and network opportunities with Energy Trust leaders and one another.

There were more than 300 trade allies in attendance across all three events, with the Portland event drawing 230 trade allies in total.

Trade ally contractors learned about the upcoming HOMES (Home Efficiency Rebate) and HEAR (Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate) programs launching spring 2026. The HOMES program will offer rebates based on how much energy a home saves after making efficiency upgrades, ideal for any income-level household. The HEAR program offers income-based rebates for electrification and appliance upgrades, targeting low and moderate-income households.

Trade allies will be required to enroll in one or more networks managed by Energy Trust in order to participate: Installer, Assessor or Energy Modeler. Enrollment begins early 2026 and Energy Trust will provide the training and resources the trade allies need to be successful.

This year, community-based organizations were also invited to the forums. These organizations are an integral part of how Energy Trust delivers offers to communities across the state. The organizations attended special sessions on how they can participate in HOMES and HEAR, as well as sessions that focused on connecting with trade allies. More than a dozen community-based organizations attended across all three events.

Solar trade allies had the chance to dive deeper into Energy Trust’s increased solar incentives for 2026 which were released early to help offset the impact of federal tax credits expiring at the end of the year.

The Trade Ally Network consists of local contractors, architects, engineers, designers and green energy professionals who keep up with Energy Trust’s standards for energy-saving and renewable energy projects.

Held annually, the forums give the Trade Ally Network a chance to get updates on Energy Trust’s strategic direction, hear program news, meet other trade allies and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration.

Contractors interested in joining the Trade Ally Network, can find more information on its free membership benefits on Energy Trust’s website.