Solar Now! University team travels to Roseburg to share best practices with local governments in rural Oregon

By Lee Rahr
Residential Solar Program Coordinator, Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

Educators from Solar Now! offer tools for inspiring community-level energy independence

On September 22^nd through the 24^th, Solar Now! University hosted its second annual train-the-trainer conference in Roseburg, Oregon. Over fifty participants from Pendleton to Medford attended, representing local governments, non-profits, solar advocates, solar installers, and utilities.

The conference was designed to provide guidance on how to develop local solar energy programs and expand market demand throughout the state of Oregon. Educational sessions addressed the following topics: Basics of Going Solar, Financing Solar on Schools and Public Facilities, Navigating Incentives and Tax Credits, Solar Permitting Resources, Site Evaluation and Tools and the USDA's Renewable Energy for America Program Grants (REAP).

Solar Now! University was created by the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Solar Oregon, Energy Trust of Oregon, and the Oregon Department of Energy. Solar Now! continues its reach statewide, working to increase awareness and market demand for solar energy by providing technical assistance to small Oregon communities that are working to grow local clean energy markets.