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$10,000 Grants Available to Support Solar Campaigns and Projects
Solar Oregon and Northwest Solar Communities are seeking to partner with local governments or community-based non-profits to increase implementation of rooftop solar in their communities. We are now accepting applications for mini-Grants and training to support local efforts to increase rooftop solar installations. Awards of $10,000 each will be made to six Washington and Oregon communities. Applications for a Solar Now! Mini-Grant are being accepted until April 27th, 2015:
Eligible projects include solar bulk purchase campaigns (solarize campaigns), community solar projects, or other projects that will increase deployment of distributed solar electric systems. See examples of the successful 2014 recipients here. This seed money cannot be used for actual solar system acquisition or installation. Awards will be announced May 1, 2015 and community campaigns should be complete by March 2016.
Successful applicants will receive funding and be required to participate in a training workshop. In addition, Northwest Solar Communities will work with selected communities to share best practices for solar permitting and planning. For additional information click here.
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An Oregon Effort to Put a Price on Carbon
Our friends at Oregon Climate, a new organization working to address climate change and end free pollution, have unveiled a new video featuring Oregonians from across the state explaining the need for a price on pollution and a solution that could put thousand of dollars back in residents' pockets. The 5-minute film explores the current ways that climate change is negatively affecting state businesses, such as oyster farmers and ranchers. The film offers a model that charges a fee to major polluters, returning all of the money to Oregonians in the form of a dividend. |
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"This is a win-win solution for our state" said Oregon Climate Executive Director Camila Thorndike. "We can reduce pollution and put money back in Oregonians' pockets, modeling the national policy that can stabilize the climate." Solar Oregon advocates for such a revenue-neutral carbon tax and encourages other organizations and individuals to join us. In fact, Solar Oregon Board Member, Jim Walls, from the Lake County Resource Initiative, is featured in the video. For additional information on Solar Oregon's position on carbon pricing see: Time for a Price on Carbon.
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Solar Winery Tour Tickets
Tickets for our annual Solar Winery Tour are now on sale here.
Spend Saturday, June 6th tasting wine and touring solar wineries. Whether you like to geek out over solar energy and wine making or you just enjoy a good glass of Oregon vino, this is the event for you.
This daylong event will include transportation, a tasty lunch, and wine tasting at three of Oregon's leading solar powered wineries in the Willamette Valley.
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We're Hiring: Solar Sprint Campaign Coordinator
Solar Oregon seeks a highly motivated organizer and campaigner with a passion for renewable energy as our Solar Sprint Campaign Coordinator. We recently launched our Solar Sprint campaign, an effort to get 10,000 new solar installations in the Northwest by the end of December 2016. For more information, click here.
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Volunteer at Solar Oregon: Spring Info Session
Attend our Spring volunteer information session on April 14th in Portland to learn more about getting involved with Solar Oregon as volunteer. 
We have lots of volunteer opportunities coming up with our annual conference and winery tour fast approaching. We also have a variety of educational and outreach monthly events being planned currently. For our outreach/educational volunteers, volunteers will represent Solar Oregon at outreach events in throughout the city and occasionally in other parts of the state. For those interested in helping out at the office, we are looking for volunteers to assist with research, event planning, website design, communications, and data entry.
We welcome both new and past volunteers to join us for the information session.
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Solar Shout Outs!
Did you know that a growing number of lenders in Oregon and Washington want to provide financial support to help families and businesses install solar? Check out this recently compiled list to learn more about solar lenders near you.
Solar 4R Schools announces open RFP for the Renewable Energy Educator Lab, which is a year-long STEM curriculum development program. Participating teachers will be part of a small group of educators that collaborate throughout the year to design, test and implement exciting new lessons into their classrooms while diving deeper into the science of renewable energy. Along with access to content experts, teachers also receive a $5,000 stipend and up to $3,500 in materials to test and implement their lesson.
Solar Oregon professional member and Portland-based installer, Sunbridge Solar, just did some amazing work in Nepal. Read about their specific solar aid projects here and catch up on how the trip went here. Pacific Power's Blue Sky program has opened its competitive application process for those seeking financial assistance to develop new community-based, non-residential renewable energy projects in Oregon, Washington, and California. Detailed information on how to apply, eligibility guidelines, award recipient requirements and a listing of our previously funded projects can be found at here.The Southern California desert is now home to the world's largest solar power plant. The 550-megawatt Desert Sunlight solar project generates enough electricity to power 160,000 average California homes.
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Upcoming Solar Oregon Events
Basics of Residential Solar Workshops
These free workshops cover the basics of why solar is a smart choice for Oregon homeowners, how well solar works in Oregon's climate, identify available solar technologies, how financial incentives may cover 70-80% of the cost, and discuss how to go about choosing a contractor.
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Your employer can support Solar Oregon
The effects of climate change are growing, putting stress on the land, water, food, energy and other resources people and wildlife need to thrive. But Oregonians can do more to protect our way of life. Solar Oregon has partnered with EarthShare Oregon to make that happen.
EarthShare engages people at their workplaces to strengthen environmental efforts locally, across Oregon, and around the world. Solar Oregon's membership in EarthShare also enables us to reach employees across Oregon who might not know about our work. The more workplaces offering EarthShare, the more financial support, volunteers and outreach we receive!
Does your workplace offer EarthShare? Find out here.
If not, talk to your boss or human resources personnel about offering EarthShare. Jan Wilson, EarthShare Oregon's executive director, will meet with your employer to discuss the benefits of a partnership, and get started right away.
To learn more about bringing EarthShare to your workplace, contact Jan directly at 503-223-9015 or [email protected].
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Join Solar Oregon Today!
Solar Oregon works hard to get solar built in Oregon. But we can't do our work without the support of people like you! For 35 years, we've been making solar happen with workshops, tours, technical support, trainings, education, outreach, research, and advocacy. But we've still got a long way yet to go until Oregon's clean energy future is secure.
We'd love to have you as a member -- please consider joining today!
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1231 NW Hoyt St. Suite 402
Portland, OR 97209
503.231.5662
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