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August 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 |
Richard and Pauline Mather
 Salem, OR
Richard and Pauline Mather's 3.22 kW system was the very first residential solar installation in Salem Electric Utility territory! In November 2009, the Mathers became solar pioneers, paving the way for other Salem residents to follow. Thank you, Richard and Pauline, for blazing a solar trail for others, and for investing in our planet's future!
>>Click here to read more about Richard and Pauline's system
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| Volunteer for Solar Oregon! |
 Contact us to find out about upcoming opportunities at info@solaroregon.org
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Stay up to date on solar news and events by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
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Bend Sept. 20-22, 2012
Early Bird Registration now open for the third annual Solar Now! University
On behalf of Solar Now! we are excited to extend an invitation to attend Solar Now! University September 20th - 22nd, 2012. Solar Now! University is the conference that brings together motivated communities from across the state to be a part of the Solar Now! statewide education and outreach effort. Solar Now! wants to help passionate volunteers, organizational leaders, municipalities and solar champions establish local solar programs. With the right resources, training and support, community and municipal leaders can increase energy independence and grow their local renewable energy economy.
The conference will be held September 20th - 22nd, 2012 in Bend,
Oregon. Attendance is limited, so we encourage you to register early.
>>Click here to learn more
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Letter from the President
By Solar Oregon Board President Ron "Mac" McDowell
 Dear Solar Power Supporter,
If you've been following our social media posts, newsletter or website, you know what a busy year we've had supporting Solarize campaigns scattered across the state in places like Gresham, Hillsboro, Eugene, West Linn-Lake Oswego, and Clackamas County. However, we've never seen the likes of what is happening in Oregon this summer ... with dozens of cities promoting residential solar, such as Solarize Southern Oregon (Ashland, Klamath Falls, Roseburg, Coos Bay, Brookings, Cottage Grove); Eastern Oregon Rural Action - Union County (La Grande); and also in Central Oregon - Go Solar! (Bend, Prineville, Madras, & Redmond). It is exhilarating!
>> Click here to read more
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Support hands-on energy education for elementary & middle school students 
With summer winding down and that back-to-school feeling in the air, Solar Oregon is gearing up to bring energy education to more Elementary and Middle School classrooms. After a successful 2011-2012 pilot in 5 Clackamas County schools, we are expanding the program to Washington and Multnomah counties. With your support, we can reach 780 students this school year.
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Solar SUNday
This fall we'll be conducting our first ever membership drive and we're hosting a special event to kick-it off - on September 16th we'll be hosting a benefit for Solar Oregon complete with speakers, workshops, food, drinks, and fun! We're calling it Solar SUNday.
Come enjoy a sun-filled day of entertainment and education for people of all ages and persuasions, and help Solar Oregon continue our mission of leading the way to a clean energy future by demonstrating the successful use of solar energy here in Oregon. There will be lots of fun to be had and great new insights to be gained from our group of expert presenters, so be sure to RSVP now!
A donation of $15 for non-members* includes access to all speakers and workshops throughout the day, plus a delicious BBQ, and prizes too!
Non-members can take advantage of our Special Membership Pricing of $20 available at the event which covers an individual membership for one full year. * FREE for paid Solar Oregon members!
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 SolWest 2012 Keynote Address
Reposted here courtesy of EORenew/SolWest
By Solar Oregon Board President Emeritus, Kathy Bash
When Jennifer approached me about giving the keynote address, it was one of those times when I had tossed a lot of what I believe up in the air and was waiting and working to see what it would settle into. I agreed to do this because it was several months away. Plenty of time. After all, I am used to teaching classes on a variety of sustainable and building science topics, so how hard could it be to give a keynote, right? Pretty soon, with no direct connection to the notion of a keynote address, people started recommending books to me - as often happens when you are having a salad toss with your ideas. Do you know how dangerous it is to read a dozen new thought-provoking books at the same time as you are supposed to be preparing a keynote? So here is a snapshot of my thinking on this 28th of July, 2012. I am coming to a new understanding of what is fundamental in creating wellness in our human relationship with earth. This is, after all, why we support renewable energy, isn't it? To foster wellness in our world and in ourselves? >> Click here to read more
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History of energy efficiency in Oregon
By Caitlin Lynch, Citizens' Utility Board of Oregon
As you may know, Oregon has some of the most aggressive policies and standards related to energy efficiency in the country. In the past 10 years, while the national ave rage for household electricity usage has increased by 20%, Oregonians have used 12% less electricity. Residents and businesses alike are eager to try new technologies and programs that reduce their utility bills. But these changes did not occur overnight: there is a long history of energy efficiency advocates who have worked to make sure our state has some of the most innovative and forward-thinking energy policies that both protect the environment and offer savings for residents.
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Solar Oregon's comments on the
Governor's Draft 10-Year Energy Action Plan
Solar Oregon applauds the Governor and all the people who spent countless hours working on the 10-Year Energy Action Plan. We truly appreciate that we live in a state where our elected leaders can exhibit the courage and vision to bring this plan into existence.
While we feel there are numerous positive aspects to the Plan, Solar Oregon would like to encourage more use of all Oregon's natural, home grown resources, including solar energy.
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 Upcoming Events |
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