News
"Keizer Christian is going solar"
A Keizer church is set to benefit from a program installing free solar panels on rooftops in exchange for a portion of the energy produced. Keizer Christian Church on Wheatland Road is adding to its southern-facing roof. The program the church has joined allows the panels to be installed at no up-front cost to the church.
"NE Portland warms up to largest expansion of residential solar"
The Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods just launched its second Solarize project. The group expects to recruit 2,000 homeowners and convince 400 to 500 of them to add photovoltaic solar panels on their homes.
"Funding for rural renewable energy projects slashed"
A key program that funds energy diversification and efficiency in Oregon’s rural areas has seen it’s funding slashed for the upcoming year. The Rural Energy for America Program, commonly called REAP, funded anaerobic digesters for the first time last year, as well as small-scale hydropower projects. But the program, which receives much of its funding from the federal Farm Bill, will see a reduction of about two thirds of its funding levels following deep cuts at the federal level.
"St. Vincent's church powered by the sun in Salem"
St. Vincent de Paul Parish has moved an eco-step ahead of many other churches in the area — and it's paying off. The northeast Salem church installed solar panels to its roof in November, and church officials said the savings for the parish have been powerful.
"Solar-powered LED lighting installed on bridge"
The Oregon Department of Transportation received a grant from the Federal Highway Administration to install a solar-powered navigational lighting system on the bridge in the summer of 2011 as part of a $355,000 pilot project.
"Solarize launches ambitious new project in NE Portland"
Portland’s Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods is rolling out a second Solarize project, and hopes it will lead to 400 to 500 people installing rooftop solar panels in Northeast Portland.
"Cities eye solar savings"
The city of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability recently awarded Clackamas County $9,000 to reach out to the public with education about solar energy. The grant is being split between rural Clackamas County and the cities of West Linn and Lake Oswego with the goal of educating and encouraging residents to invest in solar panels, solar hot water heaters and solar pool heaters.
"Residential Energy Tax Credit Continues in 2012"
New rules for residential energy tax credits go into effect Jan. 1 SALEM — New permanent rules related to residential energy tax credits go into effect on Jan. 1, 2012.
"Solar panel installation on Hillsboro building is step toward greening of Washington County"
HILLSBORO -- Washington County government's first major solar installation is nearing completion, and officials say they are pleased with how the project is working out.
Where's the solar on public buildings? (or Why the 1603 grant should be important to you)
Many of our most prominent public buildings appear to be excellent sites for solar, and there's no doubt that the agencies and organizations that own these buildings would stand to benefit from a long-term source of power at reasonable cost at least as much as the average homeowner, so why are examples of such installations so few and far between? In short, why aren't the leading institutions in our communities visibly doing more to lead the way towards a sustainable energy future?
"Harnessing the sun in West Linn"
Curt Sommer, who holds a master’s degree in geography with a specialization in renewable energy development, said he’s a strong advocate of technology such as solar panels. He had a solar panel system installed on the roof of his home in late October, and it became operational in mid-November after passing city and county inspections.
"Breakthrough in battery tech could radically change the energy world"
It is hoped that wind and solar energy will one day become major contributors to a future energy grid that has reduced its reliance upon fossil fuels. But one of the biggest problems facing these sectors is the fact that the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow. To maintain a consistent energy supply to the grid during such periods we would need a method of storing the energy.
"Energy Trust of OR implementing changes to residential/commercial solar electric incentive programs"
Energy Trust is implementing changes to the residential and commercial solar electric incentive programs, including immediate changes to trade ally active project limits and upcoming changes to incentive levels. Effective immediately, active project limits will be increased in Portland General Electric territory and decreased in Pacific Power territory.
"Asian solar manufacturers eyeing Oregon as refuge from SolarWorld trade fight with China"
SolarWorld’s complaint against China could generate a windfall for Oregon: Asian manufacturers starting solar factories here to gain refuge from a trade war.
"'Back Scatter Radar' Site To Be Used For Solar Power Installation"
The Oregon Military Department is making a big investment on green energy. The agency is building a million dollar solar instillation east of Christmas Valley. The array is part of the agency’s plan to produce as much energy as it uses. The Back Scatter Radar Site used to consume massive quantities of electricity when the Air Force used it to scan the horizon for incoming targets.
"'Fool's gold' aids discovery of new options for cheap, benign solar energy"
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Pyrite, better known as "fool's gold," was familiar to the ancient Romans and has fooled prospectors for centuries – but has now helped researchers at Oregon State University discover related compounds that offer new, cheap and promising options for solar energy.
"Trade war with China over solar technology could cut both ways"
An escalating trade war with China over solar technology now seems all but certain. A trade complaint filed last month by SolarWorld Industries Americas claims the Chinese cheat: They're liquidating heavily subsidized inventories of solar panels and cells and flooding the U.S. market. They're selling below cost, undermining U.S. solar producers. For that, Chinese solar products could face tariffs of more than 100 percent. Now reports Wednesday from China say a solar trade group is preparing to ask the government there to undertake its own investigation of U.S. companies that export polysilicon, the raw material for solar cells, to China. They're accusing U.S. companies of essentially the same thing -- dumping product below cost and putting Chinese companies out of business.
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