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April 2012
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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 and Solar Supporters!
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| Solar Ambassadors |
Ken and Sally's Solar Home Pendleton, OR
Ken and Sally Abbot had their 2.3 kW system installed almost 2 years ago, in June of 2010. They are pleased to report that the extent of the required maintenance has been the occasional hosing off of the panels after a dust storm. Their electricity bill has plummeted, and some months consists only of the basic connection charges and fees.
>>Click here to read more about Ken and Sally's Solar Home
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| Volunteer for Solar Oregon! |
 Contact Volunteer Coordinator Emily Kraft to find out about upcoming opportunities at emily@solaroregon.org
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Attending the Future Energy Conference next week? Join Tonkon Torp and Solar Oregon immediately following the Conference for a Mix and Mingle networking event. Enjoy drinks and light hors d'oeuvres as we discuss conference highlights and get ready for the NW Energy Expo.
>> Click here to learn more about Tonkon Torp and Solar Oregon's Happy Hour networking event.
Attending the NW Energy Expo? So are we! Come check out some of our great workshops and family-friendly solar activities:
Going Solar at Home: Thinking about installing solar on your home but don't know where to start? Learn about going solar from Portland homeowner Corey Omey. Q+A to follow.
Friday, 1:45-2:15 p.m.
Solar for Small Businesses: Jim Houser, local business owner, shares his story of going solar. Q+A to follow.
Saturday, 1:15-1:45 p.m.
It's the Architecture: Jennifer Barker, of Eastern Oregon Renewable Energies Nonprofit Corp, gives an overview of how our building methods and living habits impact our energy use (and why that matters).
Saturday, 12:30-1:00 p.m.
Stop by Solar Oregon's table (Booth #223) for hands-on solar activities for the whole family. Learn how solar panels work, design your own model solar home, and learn to how wire solar fans and solar cars!
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2012 Goal Net Zero Tour
It's that time of year again! We're preparing for the 5th annual Goal Net Zero Tour, and reflecting on how far we've come since we started the tour in 2008. Join us on May 5th for the 2012 Tour to see just how far the bar has shifted in these few years. Our five wonderful examples contain a variety of approaches and features.
>>Click here to read more about the 2012 Goal Net Zero Tour
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Insulation for Inspiration
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Rosie used straws to simulate the hollow hair fibers of polar bear fur.
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Rosie Parker, a 6th grader at St. Pius X Catholic School in Portland, has always been interested in the environment. Recently she conducted an experiment to gauge the relative effectiveness of various different roofing materials at insulating interior spaces from heat. Her efforts won her the top prize in her category in the Intel Northwest Science Expo, and she received a commendation from the US Navy!Rosie has generously agreed to share her work with us. You can read her report, detailing the methods and results of her experiment, on Solar Oregon's website.
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Weatherize for Good
By Steven McGrath, Solar Oregon Board Member
Taking a holistic approach to helping your house, the environment, and your community, all at the same time!
Suppose you decided that your car could stand to be more efficient. You see a sign that says "We'll make your car get up to 3% better gas mileage!" You stop in, and for a nominal fee, someone adds air to your tires, up to the maximum recommended pressure (or a little beyond). You drive away, and sure enough, you do see a modest improvement in gas mileage. Would you now head off into the sunset, confident that you'd done your part for more efficient transportation?
This probably sounds silly. After all, you'd probably want someone to look more comprehensively at your car, providing a full tune-up, while checking or changing your fluids, and making sure your vehicle is safe. In short, you'd want a qualified mechanic to look at your car as a system, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution that only addresses one piece of the puzzle. Adjusting your tire pressure may be part of the answer, but the impact will be minimal if other areas need attention.
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Soaking in the Sun
By Bridget Callahan, Oregon Rural Action
It's a well-known fact that Eastern Oregon is reputable for its sunny days. And here at Oregon Rural Action we feel it's time we put that sunshine to use.Like many rural communities, however, Union County faces a unique set of challenges. For example, we are outside Energy Trust of Oregon territory, a nonprofit funded through the major utility companies in Oregon. Residents that lie in Energy Trust territory are given an instant rebate for installing a solar system, making the overall cost substantially cheaper. Our local utility company also offers no incentive for solar hot water systems. Additionally, we are also outside the realm of many financial institutions that have traditionally offered low-interest loans to homeowners looking to go solar.>> Click here to read more
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Last Days to Register for Solarize Northeast! By Gene Lee, NECN Project Lead
>>Click here to read more |
"Hillsboro townhome owner:
Going solar the smart thing to do for environment"
By Tim Toenjes
My dream of going solar became reality more than a year ago when nine SolarWorld photovoltaic panels on my roof were connected. I'm still amazed that the small, 2.16 kW system I own supplies over half of my three-story townhome's electricity. It doesn't consume fossil fuels or produce carbon dioxide, and I feel good knowing that I'm placing less demand on our planet's non-renewable resources.
I belong to a Home Owners Association, and people ask if they can go solar in their community. State law does not allow HOAs to prohibit solar outright, but they can limit where solar panels can be installed, dictate the color of the panels, and set other rules. The best advice is to keep an open mind and work with your HOA to educate them on the various advantages of solar.
>>Click here to read more |
THANK YOU, Solar Oregon Volunteers!
April 15th - 21st was National Volunteer Week, and we'd like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU, to all of our fantastic volunteers! We could not do the work we do without you, and we appreciate your time and your passion hugely.
On behalf of all of us at Solar Oregon, to all of you who have given your time to our efforts so generously, we say, THANK YOU!
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April Solar Drinks Recap
April Solar Drinks was held at the June Key Delta Community Center and featured presentations by filmmaker and Goal Net Zero enthusiast Matt Briggs, and another homeowner from this year's Goal Net Zero Tour, Corey Omey. 
Matt Briggs shared a clip from his movie Deep Green, and talked about some of the work he's done to get his home to Net Zero.
Corey Omey shared slides showing the process he and his wife went through as they gutted and razed their existing home, before constructing an ultra-efficient home - which incorporated recycled material from the original home - in its place. Where did they live while doing all of this work? In a yurt in the back yard, of course. (Now THAT'S dedication!)
For more information about these and other homes featured on the upcoming 2012 Goal Net Zero Tour,
Click Here.
Thanks to everyone who attended this great evening of information, inspiration, and drinks. And stay tuned for information about our May Solar Drinks event!
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 Upcoming Events |
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