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Solar Drinks – Smart Business Design

October 18, 2018 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Solar Oregon will host a happy hour gathering for industry professionals on Thursday, October 18th at Teote’s Mezclería from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.  Smart Business Design will feature a forum for discussion about challenges and opportunities in the solar industry today.  Program participants include Randy Feldhaus, Principal/Sunbreak Energy Advisors, Randy Batchelor, Principal/Sol Rebel and Robert W. Cross, Principal/Cross Consulting Services.  Corey Omey, Principal of EMA Architecture and Solar Oregon Board Member will be the moderator for the evening.

Agenda

  • 5:30 – 5:45 PM:  Meet & Greet
  • 5:45 – 6 PM: Program Introduction
  • 6-6:45 PM: Open Discussion
  • 6:45-7 PM: Question & Answer

Theme

The solar landscape in Oregon is challenged at the moment.  The BETC has been absent for years, the RETC sunset at the end of 2017 and community solar will not be online until 2019.  The Portland Clean Energy Fund is on the ballot in November, but it won’t make a material impact until 2020 (after receipts are collected).   Many business owners in the audience may be concerned about business in the immediate term.

Ideas

There are several topics that may be of interest to the audience.  Details are as follows:

State tax credits may not be likely to return given the political and economic climate.  How does this impact the industry?

  1. What challenges and opportunities does community solar present for solar contractors?
  2. How important are finance tools when selling solar projects?
  3. Is it time for solar businesses to embrace strategy in regard to business development and their approach to market?
  4. How important are ancillary businesses–HVAC, electrical, roofing, etc.–for a business model?
  5. How can solar advocates, ambassadors, non-profit organizations,  and solar companies work together to bridge the marketing gap between electricity consumers, and potential solar owners, and the solar contractors?

Details

Workshops & Webinars

Solar Oregon provides a variety of solar workshops and webinars. In our monthly How to Go Solar + Storage webinar, we will answer your questions about how solar works, share information about incentives available, and help you take the first step to add solar to your home or business. Participants will come away with basic knowledge about solar energy systems and will be prepared to do more focused research on their own, or start working with a contractor right away.

Our solar and storage workshops are sponsored by the Energy Trust of Oregon. Energy Trust of Oregon provides cash incentives to install solar and contractor connections to experienced trade allies so that obtaining solar for your home or business. Learn more about the incentives offered by Energy Trust of Oregon here.

With solar and storage becoming more accessible, homes and businesses across the state are installing systems. We also host solar showcases to highlight these projects and give you a chance to see how your neighbors and fellow Oregonians are using solar power.