Solarize Salem http://solarizesalem.org Salem Oregon Solar Energy Co-op Mon, 26 Nov 2012 22:10:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Homeowner Workshop – Silverton http://solarizesalem.org/homeowner-workshop-silverton/ http://solarizesalem.org/homeowner-workshop-silverton/#comments Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:47:04 +0000 donh http://solarizesalem.org/?p=409 Please join us for a homeowner and business workshop on August 7 at 6 PM.  Silverton Green Store, 201 E Main St Silverton, Oregon.  http://www.silvertongreenstore.com/

 

]]> http://solarizesalem.org/homeowner-workshop-silverton/feed/ 0 Contractors for Phase 3 http://solarizesalem.org/contractors-for-phase-3/ http://solarizesalem.org/contractors-for-phase-3/#comments Tue, 17 Jul 2012 20:59:49 +0000 donh http://solarizesalem.org/?p=382 Solarize Salem is pleased to announce our 2012 Contractors:

Benton Electric Inc., was established in 1967.  Benton Electric is located between Albany and Corvallis.  Union Hall (IBEW Local 280).  Jerry Sheffield has been with Benton electric 41 years.  Janet Sheffield began working for the company in 1989 and currently holds the office of Secretary-Treasurer. Their daughter Nancy has been the Office Manager since 1980. Neil, their son, employed since 1981 is a Supervising Journeyman Electrician, and a graduate of Oregon State University. Jerry’s nephew, Travis Sheffield , is a graduate of Oregon State University as well, and has been a Project Coordinator and Senior Estimator since 1989.

Paul Israel founded Sunlight Solar Energy, Inc in 1988.  He opened Sunlight Solar Energy in Redmond in 1997 and then moved the company to Bend in 2003.  He co-founded the Central Oregon Green & Solar Home Tour as well as the Bend Bio-fuels Cooperative, both of which are still in existence and thriving today. Additionally, Paul was also one of the first individuals to become a Licensed Renewable Energy Technician (LRT) in the state of Oregon and currently sits on the board of directors for Oregon SEIA.

]]> http://solarizesalem.org/contractors-for-phase-3/feed/ 0 Solarize Salem announce Phase 3 http://solarizesalem.org/solarize-salem-announce-phase-3/ http://solarizesalem.org/solarize-salem-announce-phase-3/#comments Sun, 27 May 2012 18:22:30 +0000 donh http://solarizesalem.org/?p=367 Solarize Salem has announced the third phase of assistance to homeowners and businesses who want to incorporate solar power into their energy plan.  Solarize Salem is a cooperative solar installation purchasing program led by Salem Creative Network, a nonprofit corporation organized to provide creative solutions for social innovation.

Solarize Salem helps homeowners leverage federal and state energy incentives and tax credits for conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy measures.  Matching homeowners and businesses with pre-qualified contractors helps them save money through the bulk purchase of solar equipment.  Solarize Salem provides neighborhood energy education forums, simplifies the contractor selection process and ensures quality through third party verification resulting in reduced energy costs and green house gas emissions.

A Request for Proposals was announced May 29, 2012 and distributed to returning and potential installation contractors who will submit proposals by June 8.  After interviews with Solarize Salem, participating contractors will be selected and announced by June 17. Public sign-up for installation programs and workshops begins July 17 with an informational event to be held at Louck’s Auditorium, Salem Public Library, Tuesday July 17,  from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  Additional workshops TBA.

For more information contact:

Don Hudgins, 503 763 8979, don@solarizesalem.org

]]> http://solarizesalem.org/solarize-salem-announce-phase-3/feed/ 0 RETC incentives still available http://solarizesalem.org/retc-incentives-still-available/ http://solarizesalem.org/retc-incentives-still-available/#comments Sun, 26 Jun 2011 22:24:43 +0000 admin http://solarizesalem.org/?p=250
Rob Del Mar, senior residential solar project manager at Energy Trust, presented the current incentives available for Oregonians at our last Solarize Salem workshop held June 21 at Salem Public Library Loucks Auditorium. The Residential Energy Tax Credit is still available in its current form as long as the project is completed by December 31, 2011.

That means you can still take advantage of the incentive program with Solarize Salem pricing for purchase or leasing SolarWorld systems installed by our selected contractor, RS Energy.

Read more about the incentive program for solar electric and solar thermal systems here.

]]> http://solarizesalem.org/retc-incentives-still-available/feed/ 0 How to install solar panels http://solarizesalem.org/how-to-install-solar-panels/ http://solarizesalem.org/how-to-install-solar-panels/#comments Sun, 29 May 2011 00:17:02 +0000 admin http://solarizesalem.org/?p=240
Ever wondered how they install solar panels? Here are a few photos and a brief explanation of an install from the Solarize Salem program last fall.

]]> http://solarizesalem.org/how-to-install-solar-panels/feed/ 0 52 satisfied homeowners in 2010 http://solarizesalem.org/52-satisfied-homeowners-in-2010/ http://solarizesalem.org/52-satisfied-homeowners-in-2010/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 06:51:55 +0000 admin http://solarizesalem.org/?p=72
The Stouts were another one of the 52 Salem-area homeowners that took advantage of the Solarize Salem program that offered bulk pricing for pv installations through the Salem Creative Network. RS Energy provided the install of a 9.8 kW system using SolarWorld modules, a PV Powered inverter and Sun Storage racking. The array squeaked into the October 1 feed-in-tariff pilot program which closed within five minutes, due to the nimble fingers of Ron and a quick internet connection. Now the Stouts will receive monthly payments from PGE for the electricity they produce for the next 25 years.
Are you looking for an alternative energy source to offset your monthly bill? Stay tuned for the second round of Solarize Salem, starting June 1…

]]> http://solarizesalem.org/52-satisfied-homeowners-in-2010/feed/ 0 Salem is hungry for solar! http://solarizesalem.org/salem-is-hungry-for-solar/ http://solarizesalem.org/salem-is-hungry-for-solar/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:51:53 +0000 admin http://solarizesalem.org/?p=64 40 homes have signed up for the Solarize Salem program for a total install size of 143kW. This is an exciting development for Salem and our co-op. Today, we even got a write up in the USA Today applauding our community-led effort.
There’s still room for 60 more homes. Register for more information and we’ll get you stated on the process.

]]> http://solarizesalem.org/salem-is-hungry-for-solar/feed/ 0 Gracious testimonial http://solarizesalem.org/gracious-testimonial/ http://solarizesalem.org/gracious-testimonial/#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:31:49 +0000 admin http://solarizesalem.org/?p=57 Ross,
Mike and I just signed up for the 3.92 kW system with R S Energy. As you know we also worked with SolarCity. Your facilitating that connection  increased my confidence. Going from zero to 90 mph in such a short time has been challenging but very worthwhile. Working with both of these companies and looking in detail at the products and services they offer left me with high respect for both companies. I believe this is also a reflection of the high quality of work that Solarize Salem put into this project upfront. Working with these carefully chosen companies also allowed Solarize Salem (and the companies) to modify the expected timelines/processes to better serve potential Salem participants meet the recent ORETC deadline extension to August 13. I know you, the companies, and others have put a great deal of time and effort to bring this opportunity to Salem residents like us to make a difference now and for future generations. Thank you, Solarize Salem and Salem Creative Network, your umbrella organization, for offering good choices.
Sincerely,
Kathleen and Mike Johnson

]]> http://solarizesalem.org/gracious-testimonial/feed/ 0