"Solar Power Initiative Gets Energized"

Volunteers Converge Thursday, Jan. 19, at Red Soils Oregon City

The Claclamas Review

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Grassroots organizers will launch “Growing Solar in Clackamas County” this month with an eye toward adding more volunteers.

“This is a golden opportunity,” said Will Newman, a member of the county solar energy group. “We now have a program that lets people lower their electrical bills for decades, makes going solar easy and is affordable. A win for Clackamas County homeowners and businesses, a win for Oregon manufacturers and a win for Oregon workers.”

According to Newman, Growing Solar in Clackamas County encourages sustainability initiatives that citizens can use to reduce utility costs at their own homes and farms.

The program will also provide a simplified process and lower price to go solar, reduce green house gas emissions and support jobs and local green technology companies.

The program is part of the first effort in Oregon’s third-most populated county to offer photovoltaic solar energy systems, solar hot water and renewable energy education through a community-lead program. The committee wants Growing Solar in Clackamas County to reach everyone, including rural areas where solarized barns are possible.

The group has selected two Oregon contractors, LiveLight Energy LLC of Beaverton and Sunlight Solar Energy Inc. of Bend, to provide photovoltaic system design and installation. The committee has negotiated special pricing with the contractors, who have signed agreements to use SolarWorld of Hillsboro as the supplier for all solar panel arrays. Other system components, such as inverters, will also be provided by Oregon suppliers.

All committee members are volunteers from the community, with additional representatives from OSU Extension and 4-H as well as the Clackamas County Office of Sustainability.

Volunteer benefits and opportunities will be outlined at training on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Clackamas County Office of Sustainability, 150 Beavercreek Road in Oregon City.

For more information call 503-406-8381 or email info@growingsolar.org.