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| March 2011 |
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| THIS NEWSLETTER IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS: | |
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Thanks to our new and renewing Professional Members! | |
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| WELCOME NEW MEMBERS AND THANK YOU RENEWALS! | |
Dana Weintraub
Adam Sage
Allen Locklear
Marie Valleroy
Ellen Crivella
Diane Guta
Jason Hartford
Justin Lancaster
Glen Boreth
Nicholas Fry
Chris Moser
Jean Murray
Hadley Price
Christopher Herman
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| Volunteer for Solar Oregon! | |
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Welcome New Board Members!
Solar Oregon is proud to welcome Ron MacDowell, Ellen Crivella, Steven McGrath and Sandra Walden to Solar Oregon. These new board members bring a diverse range of skills and experience to our team. Check out their bios as well as our existing staff and board members!
>>click here to meet the team
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Saturday May 7th, 2011
8:30am - 5:00pm
Zero Energy use is possible!*
*Generating as much renewable energy on site as you use on an annual basis.
Join Solar Oregon for our 4th annual Goal Net Zero Home Tour. At morning workshops you will learn about the 'how to' strategies for getting to Goal Net Zero. In the afternoon join a bus tour of four ultra-efficient Portland homes and residences. Experts will talk about details, materials, and answer questions at the site. Box lunch and bus tour transportation is included.
>>click here for more info and to register at early bird rate |
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Salem Solar Report
Salem is buzzing with activity on the solar energy front. Here are some of last week's highlights.
In the Oregon Senate, HB 688, which would extend the sunset of the residential energy tax credit (RETC) for solar installations until 2018, received a hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. The RETC has been the lifeblood of Oregon solar installations, including the popular Solarize programs. John Patterson of Mr. Sun Solar presented excellent detailed testimony on the history of incentives and their direct impact on the growth of solar installations. The Committee will consider amendments before voting on whether to recommend extending the tax credit, which is currently scheduled to sunset at the end of 2011.
The House Energy, Environment and Water Committee held a hearing on HB 3516, which would create a clear path for solar to be installed on the rooftops of existing legal structures in all zones of the State without land use review. Portland homeowners Kathleen Haapala and Anna Schoborg gave compelling testimony detailing their struggles to get permits to install solar pv systems. The Committee also heard testimony from the City of Portland, which wants to retain control of solar installations in historic neighborhoods. The Committee is considering language changes to address these concerns and will meet again to consider the bill.
In the Oregon Public Utility Commission, the solar industry turned out in force to urge the PUC not to make sudden changes in the solar incentive pilot program, in which the utilities purchase pay small customer-generators for the electricity they produce. Concerned that the incentive rates were too high, the PUC staff had recommended for April 1 applications a 75% reduction in available capacity and a 10% reduction in the incentive rate or, in the alternative, a 30% decrease in the incentive rates paid to small energy producers. Following the hearing, the PUC ordered a 20% reduction in the incentive rates for April 1. A new PUC docket will open to consider further program changes for October 1.
Even in the wake of Japan, Libya and the Gulf of Mexico, renewable energy needs your support in Salem. It's important to let your legislator know that you support solar energy.
You can find out who your representatives are at http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/
-- Mark Pengilly
Mark Pengilly worked with Oregonians for Renewable Energy Policy to bring a feed-in tariff law to Oregon. He is a principal in EnergizeOregon LLC, which lobbies for solar energy. His guest columns have appeared in The Oregonian, the Eugene Register-Guard and the Salem Statesman-Journal. He may be reached at mark@energizeoregon.org
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Growing up with Solar - Before it was cool 
By JENNIFER GIANNETTONI
Daughter of "Mr. Sun" John Patterson
Living in Los Angeles as an adult I find myself hypnotized into the ever popular eco-culture. My grocery store in Malibu has not allowed plastic bags for years. I have a trunk full of reusable cloth grocery bags. I go to an eco dry cleaners, car wash, coffee house. I use all organic beauty products and toiletries. All the cleaning products and trash bags in the house are biodegradable and "Green". Even the cats food is organic. I'm mindful of my carbon footprint. Of course, none of this is new to me, after all, my dad is Mr. Sun Solar himself. >>click here to continue article |
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The Gathering - Oregonians Rally for Solar Energy
 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
On the rain-soaked steps of the Salem capital building, they gathered. They came from near and far to rally and show support for solar. They had to - there are just too many uncertainties in the current economic and political landscape not to act. I should say we because I was there too compelled by a Facebook announcement for this event. The announcement read, "Oregon State capitol Solar Pep Rally - outer steps March 9 (11am-2 pm)... We need all solar advocates to attend and help share the message about Solar Energy and the future it offers Oregon! Industry pro's, happy customers, and people who believe that solar is the future, come show your support!"
And we did. Ah, the power of social media.
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Goal Net Zero Interest Group March - Sustainable Living
renewable energy and water use: comparing developing countries and US experiences
March 28th, 2011 6:30-8pm
After an overview of what Green Empowerment does with Renewable Energy in remote villages, Michel will compare and contrast examples of daily life in a couple developing countries villages, vs. our day-to -day experience in the US. Example of energy consumption, water consumption, solar energy systems, and family
housing will be shown.
Speaker: Michel Maupoux
Michel Maupoux grew up and obtained his first engineering degree in France, then spent six months in South America, and two years in West Africa. His first engineer job was in a small French pump manufacturing company, where he designed an innovative solar photovoltaic pumping system.
>>click here to read more and register
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 Solar Drinks offers a sneek peek at the NW Solar Expo!
April 12th
The largest solar event event in the Pacific Northwest is coming up! Join us at Umpqua Bank's Alberta store where Oregon Solar Industry Association, Executive Director Glenn Montgomery will discuss the 2011 NW Solar Expo and Clean Technology Showcase.
Food, beverage, and great conversation 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.
Thanks to this month's Solar Drinks sponsor Umpqua Bank Alberta Store!
>> click here for details and to RSVP |
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 Upcoming Events |
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