Coldwell Banker Bain established its Community Partnership program as a way for the company and its brokers to give back to the organizations that are committed to the welfare of our communities. Since the program was created in 1988, Coldwell Banker Bain brokers have donated more than $1.67 million to over 650 non-profit 501(c)3 organizations.

For More Information Contact: Ron “Mac” McDowell, REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Bain Real Estate Broker
503-720-5277 * macmcdowell@cbbain.com

Lunch tickets are available for purchase, it will include a hot lunch and a beverage.
Please consider an end of year donation to Solar Oregon to help us continue our education and advocacy work.

We hope you will consider becoming a member of Solar Oregon – Annual Individual and Family as well as Lifetime memberships are available.

A special thank you to our event host Global Homestead Community Garage, they are providing their space for this fun event!

Agenda
10:00a – Introductions and welcome
10:30a – Keynote: Representative Karin Power
11:00a – Panel discussion: Community Resiliency and Clean Technologies

Moderator Claire Carlson, Lockheed Martin
Panelists Tanya Barham, PECI
Adam Schultz, Oregon Department of Energy
Joseph Wheatley, Tesla

12:00p – Lunch & Member Voting
1:00p – Oregon Solar Policy Update: Jon Miller, OSEIA
1:30p – Solar and Green Real Estate: Ron “Mac” McDowell, Coldwell Banker
2:00p – Conclusion

Register here: http://bit.ly/2hMgI8Z

To qualify for a tax credit:
– Contract must be signed with initial deposit down by 12/31/17;
– Devices must be installed by 4/1/18; and
– ODOE must receive your application no later than 6/1/18. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2AXzyi2

Sign up today to receive a solar bid from an Energy Trust of Oregon Solar Trade Ally contractor: https://www.energytrust.org/solar-request-analysis-bid/

You’d think that as we confront climate change and look to be a national leader in demonstrating the benefits of clean energy that making sure the RETC or some kind of clean energy incentive would be a legislative no-brainer.

You’d be wrong.

The RETC is scheduled to sunset at the end of this year. Like other tax credits, it undergoes regular review at set periods. Despite the fact that the legislature faced a very tight budget situation this session, the RETC has been long recognized as a key tool in helping Oregon implement progressive energy policy. Despite a lot of discussion and advocacy by clean energy proponents, the legislature did not extend RETC or find other ways to support residential clean energy investments.

There was a lot of discussion about how long solar investments should be subsidized. The solar industry agrees that there will be a time when solar will not need a subsidy. But solar advocates and legislators reached an agreement for an extended incentive but one that would reduce gradually to allow the industry to plan for an eventual end.

Energy efficiency is another matter. Unlike solar, which will be able to be purchased without an incentive at some point, efficiency is an investment the state should always want to help. It’s an old energy saying that the cheapest kilowatt hour is the one you don’t have to produce in the first place. Energy efficiency helps to reduce energy usage and keep costs low for all customers. Investing in energy efficiency ensures that no matter how energy is generated, whether by solar or any other means, it is not wasted.

Let’s be plain: the legislature goofed when it chose not to extend clean energy incentives for individual Oregonians. It was on the right track to help the solar industry with an incentive it needs today but to set it on a course to not need the incentive in the future. But it dropped the ball.

The legislature can correct its mistake in February however. That’s when it meets for a short session. It can extend a residential energy incentive to help Oregonians continue to make clean energy investments. You can make sure the legislature takes action. Sign the online petition (link below) to add your name to the growing list of Oregonians who are telling the legislature: “Help us invest in clean energy!”

Although the legislature heard from hundreds of people during the 2017 session, they will need to hear from hundreds more. Make sure you are one of them! We’ll keep you posted on the ongoing campaign.

Link to Oregon Solar Plan: http://bit.ly/2qsRyhE

Link to Online Petition: http://bit.ly/2vhxe23

UPDATE, 6/30/2017: Thank you to everyone who has called or sent an e-mail to your legislators. It’s making a difference! If you haven’t had a chance to contact your legislator, there’s still time. The original action alert is below. Take a few minutes and contact your legislator today. Legislators need to hear from you!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
In asking for folks to contact legislators about HB 2066, some have noticed there is no reference to solar in that bill as it was introduced. That’s true. But all tax credits will be rolled into one amendment and “stuffed” into that bill (yes, “stuffed” is an actual legislative term). Our efforts are aimed at making sure that the new residential solar incentive is included in that amendment and part of the overall tax credit bill. It just happens that HB 2066 has been chosen as the general bill for tax credits.

ORIGINAL ACTION ALERT

The RETC will expire at year’s end, but now we have the chance to create a new tax credit to help residential customers install solar on their rooftops. The new credit, known as the Residential Incentive for Solar Energy (RISE), will make it easier for residential customer to go solar.
To win this crucial new policy, we must persuade the legislature to fund it–a decision legislators will make by July 10. We need as many solar professionals and supporters as possible to contact their legislators and urge them to support this program.
Please contact both your state senator and state representative.

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Use this form – https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/FindYourLegislator/leg-districts.htm – to find your state senator’s and state representative’s contact info (look at the “Senate” and “House” tabs after you have entered your address at the top right corner).
2. Call their phone number or send an e-mail and urge them to support the new solar tax credit in HB 2066 using the talking points below.
3. If you get a response, let us know by emailing max@oseia.org.

KEY TALKING POINTS
1. Ask your legislator to support the new solar tax credit in HB 2066
2. The new solar tax credit (Residential Incentive for Solar Energy) will help solar RISE in Oregon!
3. If you have solar on your house, tell your legislator about how important it was for you to have help to make solar more affordable.
4. Tell your legislator why you support more solar in Oregon (clean energy, good green jobs, etc.).
5. Ask your legislator to weigh in with legislative leadership requesting to fund the new solar tax credit.

Contact your legislator today! If you have already contacted your legislators, a big thank you! Ask family and friends to help out!

Thanks for your help in supporting Oregon solar!

PS. Take a few minutes and call or e-mail your legislator about supporting the new residential solar tax credit in HB 2066. Let them know how important you feel solar is in Oregon!

Legislature: With a little more than a month to go in Oregon’s 2017 legislative session, it’s budget writing time in Oregon’s State Capitol. The legislature’s first job, above all others, is to pass a balanced state budget for the next two years. That’s a daunting challenge due to this year’s $1.4 billion difference in the cost of maintaining state services and anticipated state revenue during the same time period. With such a large budget deficit, any program that costs money is potentially on the chopping block—that includes Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC) and even critical state programs like education and healthcare.

Renewing the RETC (HB 2681) is the solar community’s top priority this session. Since the prospects for winning on RETC are very much entwined with the question of how the legislature will address the budget deficit, solar advocates has been following the budget deficit discussion closely.

Oregon’s budget deficit is structural in nature, meaning that the state’s taxes and other revenue sources routinely fail to generate sufficient funding to cover the cost of state services. Without reform to Oregon’s tax policies, large deficits will continue to impact Oregon policy-making in future sessions and threaten state programs.

To address this structural deficit, legislative leaders in both chambers are developing plans that would significantly reform state tax policy. It remains unclear whether the legislature will be able to pass any such new revenue package, since bills to raise new taxes require a three-fifths majority vote (rather than the usual simple majority). Without a new revenue package, legislators will face an even larger budget deficit in the 2019 session and will have to resolve this year’s budget deficit through a combination of smaller increases in taxes, fees, and other sources of revenues and large spending cuts. Given all of that, the prospects of extending RETC without a new revenue package this year is much smaller than with one.

Solar advocates will have a chance to contact legislators very soon to support RETC. We’ll need to do this no matter how the legislature ultimately resolves the budget. We know Solar Oregon members are ready to help deliver the message of RETC’s importance. The time to help is coming quickly so stay tuned!

In other news, last week, the House Revenue committee held a successful hearing on another OSEIA priority, HB 2670, which would extend Oregon’s property tax exemption for solar and other net-metered alternative energy devices. The committee will vote this Wednesday, May 31, and the bill should move on to a full House vote soon after. There is no opposition to that bill and advocates will be making sure the bill works its way through the process.

Public Utility Commission: There has been a lot of activity around the community solar rule-making docket (AR 603) lately. OSEIA, Oregon solar trade association, and other allied interests have been meeting with staff and submitting comments on the proposed rules. OSEIA filed comments with the Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA), the national trade group of community solar developers and companies. You can read OSEIA/CCSA’s comments here. If you would like to read all of the comments submitted, you can go here. A second round of comments are due on Friday, June 2 and the PUC is scheduled to have a public meeting on June 27 in time to have the rules in place by July 1.

Even after the rules are adopted, there is still a lot of work to do. Parties will be immediately continuing the work to implement the rules. One of the main messages from all solar advocates has been “keep moving forward to be able to make offerings to customers as soon as possible.” We’ll continue to make sure that happens. As the rules are implemented, Solar Oregon will be involved in educating customers about how they might participate in a community solar project.

Installing solar panels on your roof to power your electric vehicle (EV) is not only a great investment, it’s a step toward a healthier future. As Oregon’s city populations swell, reducing ozone-causing emissions will be important for maintaining our clean air. By driving a solar powered EV, you can eliminate emissions associated not only with your tailpipe but also with your utility’s electricity production. EVs have 99% less CO2 (carbon dioxide) and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), 70% less NOx (nitrogen oxides) and 32% less greenhouse gases (GHG) than gas powered vehicles. You could safely say you were doing your part to contribute toward the state’s many climate change and air quality goals!

Since EVs don’t run on gasoline, the EPA rates them based on how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) it takes to drive 100 miles, which they convert to a “miles-per-gallon equivalent” (MPGe). You can compare the MPGe ratings for all EVs on the market at FuelEconomy.gov. Once you know the rating for your chosen EV, you can easily calculate how much extra electricity you’ll need to charge your car.

Here’s an example: The 2017 Nissan Leaf, an all-electric vehicle, has an MPGe rating of 30 kWh/100 miles. If you average 25 miles per day, you’re using approximately 7.5 kWh of electricity — or just over 2,700 kWh of electricity annually. This is the “extra” amount of electricity you may want to have your solar installer design into your solar system to ensure you’re driving with the power of the sun!

Now let’s talk $$$. Is it really more affordable to power an EV with solar compared to the grid? How does this stack up against a traditional gas guzzler? Going back to our estimate of an average 25 miles per day…

It turns out if you’re looking for an economical car, you should be considering an EV! Factor in a solar system to fuel the car and it becomes an even better investment over the long-term. Surprising? Yes, at first glance, the sticker price may seem more expensive but if you conduct a full “cost of ownership” analysis, the gap quickly narrows. An electric car is a lot less hassle to maintain — no oil or filter changes, no tune-ups, and no replacing timing belts. Even the brakes wear out less frequently since the car uses regenerative braking to recharge the batteries.

Both the electric car and the solar system have a payback time, after which the energy generated to get you from point A to point B or to brew your coffee in the morning is completely free! Bills for grid power never end, like renting a house vs. owning. Gas-sucking cars will never stop requiring that you pay at the pump — with gas price increases certain.

Worried about your EV’s driving range? It’s a valid concern! Luckily Oregon has the highest number of fast charging stations in the nation — making it easy to fully charge in as little as 30 minutes. Today’s EVs have built-in navigation to guide you to the nearest public charger. You can also check charging locations by downloading the PlugShare app. Often these stations are conveniently located at eateries where you can charge up, stretch your legs, and even grab a bite to recharge yourself for your journey.

Combining the $7,500 federal tax credit for all-electric vehicles with Oregon’s generous state solar tax and cash incentives of up to 70% of the retail price for a solar system and you would be crazy not to opt for electric! Solar-powered transportation is not just a concept for the future, it really is an affordable reality for today’s everyday commute.

(Photo credit: Left- Pine Mountain Sport, Right- Elemental Energy)

Solar advocates from around the state converged at the State Capitol on April 17, 2017 to advocate for a six-year extension of the Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC) and property tax exemption for on-site solar. The solar incentives were created in 1977 and 1975, respectively, to promote home energy savings and encourage the alternative energy market. They will each expire by year’s end, unless legislators vote to extend them. If they are not extended, the solar industry could experience a substantial downturn.

Approximately 85 solar advocates and professionals gathered in Salem to talk with their legislators about the importance of supporting a strong renewable energy industry in Oregon. Oregon Solar Energy Industries Association (OSEIA) organized the day and made 67 appointments with legislators. The morning kicked off with a bit of training and handout explanation so folks could have the facts and speak from their experience and hearts.

These small group meetings were held between the solar advocates and their State Representative and Senator to urge them to support HB 2681, the extension of the RETC, and HB 2760, the extension of the property tax exemption. These meetings also allowed solar advocates to ask their legislators to approach House Speaker, Tina Kotek and Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick and encourage them to fund these state programs

Although there was a strong showing of solar advocates and their message about extending Oregon’s solar incentives was well received, legislators still need to hear additional support for the bills. It is important that you write, call or send a personal email to you Representative and Senator. If you know that they support the extensions, thank them and ask your representative to approach both House Speaker, Tina Kotek and Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick and encourage them to fund these state programs. If you are unsure, encourage them support them and tell them why.

As the advocates learned at Solar Lobby Day, you don’t have to be a professional lobbyist to advocate for a bill. Just use your own words to say why the extension is important to you so that more Oregonians can install solar. Sign up to help extend the RETC.

To contact your legislator, check out these RETC talking points and why they should vote YES for solar.

• Start by checking out the plan.
• Become a Solar Oregon Member
• Make a tax deductible donation to Solar Oregon efforts
• Sign-up to support Solar Policy in Oregon

The complex installation covers four separate buildings, including American Can (207.4 kW), Nacco (161.1 kW), Montgomery Park (424.11 kW) and its north parking structure (229,1 kW). Totaling 3068 335W smart modules, the installation utilizes standing seam, hybrid ballast, and steel truss mounting systems, and is said to incorporate the tallest ballasted solar installation in the US. The north parking garage installation features canopies spanning 150’, a high efficiency LED lighting system, and four EV charging stations. The entire system is wirelessly interconnected by Tigo’s Cloud Connect technology.

Montgomery Park’s presence on the National Registry of Historic Places, the wind and seismic engineering required of ballasted solar systems in Portland, and the harshest Portland winter in 40 year posed significant challenges in the permitting, review, and construction processes. But with a lot of dedication and as much persistence; after four protracted historic reviews; six crane lifts, including a 300-ton crane mobilization to set the 150′ trusses; a major electrical service upgrade; and the many other complications that attend any project of this scale and complexity, Imagine Energy is proud to declare the Montgomery Park project a success.

Please join Imagine Energy at the site Friday, April 14th, 2017  to celebrate with a tour, speakers, and refreshments. RSVP at https://poweringthepark.eventbrite.com  and check out this short video of the completed array in all its splendor! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xViAifXei5A&feature=youtu.be