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February 2011
THIS NEWSLETTER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS:
SolarWorld

NationalNewsletter

 

Thanks to our new and renewing Professional Members!

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

  
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS AND THANK YOU RENEWALS!
 
Paul Hayden
Thomas Inglesby
Susan Badger-Jones
Ron Burden
Terry Davis
Doug Boleyn

JOIN SOLAR OREGON!

Solar Oregon strives to help all Oregonians achieve a clean energy future by providing public education and community outreach on solar energy as a part of an overall energy conservation and reduction goal

 

Support solar energy education and outreach in Oregon, including this newsletter!

Solar Ambassadors

Brender-Rizvi Family

 

Brender-Rizvi 

Medford

Our home was built in 1938. We live in tree-lined Old East Medford so putting up panels was not easy.

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Volunteer for Solar Oregon!
betterlivingshow photo  
The 2011 Better Living Show is fast approaching and we are  looking for volunteers to represent Solar Oregon and our mission.
  
The show is March 25th -27th
for more information please email claire@solaroregon.org
  Volunteer Group Picture
IN THIS ISSUE
Solar Oregon is Hiring - Programs Assistant
Around the State
Solarize Guidebook now available
Goal Net Zero Neighborhood
Living with Solar - Winter is a time of Doubt
Goal Net Zero Tour - Mark your calendar!
Solar Oregon Workshop & SolarWorld Tour
March Solar Drinks - Don't miss the view
Upcoming solar events in Oregon
 

Solar Oregon is seeking Full Time

Programs Assistant

 

Join our Team 

 

Do you have a passion for solar energy and a desire to help Oregonians across the state overcome the technical and logistical hurdles of going solar? We are looking for a full time Programs Assistant to help us fulfill our mission and make a difference in Oregon's energy future.

 

 

>>click here for more information

 

 

Around the State

 

 Ontario 

 Burns

 On January 26th Programs Manager Claire Carlson teamed up with Jennifer Barker of Eastern Oregon Renewables to deliver the Basics of Going Solar in sunny (but cold!) Burns. With the help of local volunteers and the Harney County Library staff they had a turn out of over 40 people! With over 300 days of sunshine per year in Harney County, solar energy really makes sense.

 

Jennifer will be returning to Burns soon to present more information on off grid projects. You can contact her or check with the Harney County Library for more info. Also check out SolWest.org for information on this year's SolWest Fair!

 

 Ontario

The 2011 Ontario Renewable Energy Summit was a great success this year with over 75 attendees coming from all over Oregon and Idaho to learn about renewable energy opportunites.  Included in the summit's events was a visit from Governor Kitzhaber who allong with Adj. Gen. Raymond Rees and Dana Young of Treasure Valley Community College threw the "switch"

on the new solar array at the Ontario National Guard Armory.

 

Solar Oregon Board Member and Energy Trust's Commercial

Solar Program Manager, Doug Boleyn made the case for solar water heating using his own solar story and a sense of humor.

Ontario2

Doug Boleyn discusses solar water heating

Roger Findley of TVCC also spoke about their upcoming two year degree that will prepare folks to become solar installers using the armory's system for hands on experience. Findley is working to give TVCC students the education they need to take advantage of growing career opportunities in the solar energy field.

 

 Pendleton

Hot on the heels of the first round of their successful Solarize project, the City of Pendleton is about ready to launch round two. Continuing their relationship with Solar Oregon Member LiveLight Energy, the second round will also feature Pendleton's amazing loan offer. Half the money is expected back from those who took advantage of the no interest loan from the city to cover their out of pocket portion of purchasing solar and it will be turned around and offered to second round participants.

For more information contact lindsey.hardy@ci.pendleton.or.us

 

Solar Oregon Sun Logo

Solarize Guidebook is Out!

 

 Solar Oregon, Energy Trust of Oregon, the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainablilty, and the individuals involved in the Solarize bulk purchasing programs across the state have pooled our knowledge into one place. NW Seed has published this tool and you can download it for free on our website.

>>click here to visit our Solarize Communities page and download the guidebook

Goal Net Zero Neighborhood

Markus Photo

  

The following is a conversation between Markus Stoffel, who will be presenting the Feb. 28 Goal Net Zero Interest Group workshop, and Kathy Bash, Solar Oregon Board Member and GNZ committee member. To learn even more about Markus this amazing process, plan on attending the workshop.

 

KB: How did the neighborhood interest in sustainable energy start?

 

MS: It's a long story. The first seeds were sown around 2003. It began with a Net Zero Building conference at Skamania Lodge that was organized by Christopher Dymond and Charlie Stephens, who were with ODOE at the time and I had the chance to attend.

 

At the same time the first major incentives for solar photovoltaics (PV) became available from Energy Trust of Oregon and we were the first home to have PV installed in our neighborhood. A direct result of the Net Zero conference was the now famous Rose House, which was built in 2004 and is considered to be the first Goal Net Zero house in Portland. It was built 2 blocks from our home. >>click here to continue

Living with Solar - Winter is a time of doubt 

Mac

Mac & Cho-Cho

Ron "Mac" McDowell is a Solar Oregon Board Member, Solar Ambassador and a regular contributor to our newsletter. This article is from his blog SolarFlareBlog.com

 

Are you someone who recently installed solar photovoltaics (PV) on your residence? 

 

Perhaps one of the hundreds of people who took advantage of a Solarize campaign in your neighborhood?!

 

Well, I feel for you, my fellow sun worshipers.  I feel your pain. I do, because I've been there.

 

Winter is a time of doubt. 

 

This was certainly the case for me last winter - that was the winter of my discontent.  

 

Goal Net Zero Tour just around the corner!

  GNZ homes
Mark your Calendar!
Saturday May 7th, 2011

 

This year's Goal Net Zero Tour and Workshop will include
  • A 1900s vintage remodel adding 2" rigid insulation to the exterior
  • A recently completed multi-family-mixed-use structure which includes a data display to make energy savings fun and competitive
  • An extensive remodel with lease-back solar option (good chance to get the owner's perspective)
  • A Passive House under construction
 
SolarWorld FacilityQuestions about Solar?
Join us February 23rd for a workshop and tour of SolarWorld
 
Don't miss your opportunity to get the latest information on solar technology, incentives, Feed in Tariff, tax credits and more at February 23rds Residential Basics of Going Solar Workshop in Hillsboro. 
 
Workshop Participants also have the unique chance to take a tour of Solar Oregon Member SolarWorld's manufacturing facility in Hillsboro which is not usually open to the public.
 

>>click here for more information and to register for workshop and tour

 
 Ladd TowerSolar Drinks is living the high life this month!

Solar Drinks will be meeting in style Tuesday March 8th at The Ladd Tower in SW Portland. Come enjoy the stunning view from one of The Ladd Tower's top floor apartments and listen to Kip Richardson of Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects talk about the Gold LEED features of the building he helped design. AMAA's "green team" is responsible for many of the new and retrofitted buildings in Portland's skyline.

 

Food, beverage, and the stunning view will be provided for a simple $5.00 donation to non-Solar Oregon Members, so become a member today! 21 and over only. RSVP required.

 

>> click here for details and to RSVP
 
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