We Could All Go Solar
Climate scientists agree that if we want to prevent the catastrophic effects of climate change, we must stop burning fossil fuels, and instead, power our homes and cars with electricity generated by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
The Pacific Northwest is well suited for producing these two green energies, and many large corporations and our local utilities are investing in them. But what about all of us concerned individuals that want to be a part of the switch to renewable energy? Installing solar panels on the roofs of our homes is one way to take action. That is an option for some, and many have done so, but there are reasons why this isn’t an option for most of us:
• Not everyone can afford or wants to take on the upfront investment dollars even though they will recoup that money in a few years and then save more for years after that.
• Many roofs are not suitable for solar due to shade or structural issues.
• Many people rent and don’t own their roof, or they live in a condo, and their roof is owned by many.
• They might move before payback time is reached.
• Too much of a hassle to apply for permits, face the red tape for the incentives, hire a contractor, and then maintain the system for years.
So what if there was a way to go solar with no upfront costs, no hassle with contractors, no red tape, and no solar panels on your roof? Thanks to a bill passed in Oregon in 2016 that created the Oregon Community Solar Program, you can avoid all those issues, but there’s a catch. You must live in Oregon and be a customer of PGE, Pacific Power, or Idaho Power. If you are, you can subscribe to a community solar project through Oregon Shines. These community solar projects are large solar farms built throughout Oregon. Once you subscribe, you will receive a credit for a portion of its power output.
Here’s What You Get
• You will save 5% annually on the portion of electricity offset by your subscription.
• There are no upfront costs to participate.
• The Community Solar Program projects are built in Oregon by local solar developers.
• You can always terminate your subscription at any time for any reason and without cost.
• You will not receive any separate bills from Oregon Shines.
• If you move, your subscription moves with you (unless you move out of the utilities’ service area).
How to Sign Up
It’s easy and free. Go to Oregon Shine’s website, click the Sign Up button, and fill out the online sign-up form. They’ll need your basic contact info and a copy of your latest utility bill. As part of the sign up process, you’ll choose a project and sign a Participant Agreement. That’s it! Once your project comes online, you’ll start to receive your bill credits on your monthly utility bill.
According to the Oregon Department of Energy’s website, there are over 20,000 solar installations in the state. This includes residential, commercial, and utility-scale facilities, which sounds like a lot. However, all of these develop just 2.98% of all electricity generated in Oregon. We have to do a lot better than that if we are going to replace the energy we get from fossil fuels.
