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Solar Now! is a campaign brought to you by Solar Oregon, Oregon Department of Energy, Energy Trust of Oregon and the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. Their mission is, “to connect Oregonians with the resources and assistance they need to choose solar energy.” They work with Solar Oregon to offer free workshops at varying levels of technicality. They have some good material online, including case studies of residential solar electric purchases.
Energy Trust Of Oregon - http://www.energytrust.org/
A public-purpose organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy generation. They are interested in helping Oregonians, “move toward energy self-reliance.” The Energy Trust is funded by the ratepayers (that's you) of PGE, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas. This organization is a wealth of knowledge, and the source of significant incentive funding you can use to help pay for your solar electric/ water heating systems.
The Energy Trust is the group that led the GOING SOLAR with SOLARIZE PORTLAND workshops for the first Solarize Portland project (summer 2009). You can see a PDF of the workshop's presentation by clicking here.
Solar Oregon - http://www.solaroregon.org/
Solar Oregon is a non-profit organization “providing public education and community outreach to encourage Oregonians to choose solar energy.” They host green and solar home tours throughout the year and they have a solar e-newsletter for true fans (you can sign up online).
Contractors
Energy Trust Trade Allies List - http://www.energytrust.org/residential/find-a-contractor/solar/
This is the Energy Trust's list of contractors; to receive Energy Trust funds your work must be completed by one of these companies. The good news is, the Energy Trust is fairly invested in you getting good work and a good product... so you should consider this a heavily vetted list of great contractors to choose from.
State Tax-Credit Certified Technicians - http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/RES/tax/docs/solar_techs.pdf
To receive the Oregon State Tax Credit, your work must be completed by a company on this list (these contractors are authorized by the state to sign off on your paperwork). Which means, you need to find a company that is on BOTH the Energy Trust List and this one. Solarize Portland projects will choose contractors that are approved by both ETO and the State.
Financial Incentives
For residential photovoltaic (panels): http://www.solaroregon.org/learn/financial-incentives/residential-solar-incentives/solar-electric OR http://www.solarnoworegon.org/paying.html
For other residential solar products: http://www.solaroregon.org/learn/financial-incentives/residential-solar-incentives
Video Clips
An interview with a Portland homeowner who has a solar hot water heating system: http://www.katu.com/familymatters/go_green_2009/43139132.html?video=YHI&t=a
GOING SOLAR with SOLARIZE PORTLAND presentation
Click here for the PDF of the presentation Imagine Energy (the excellent, local contractor we used for the first Solarize Portland project) gave at the Nuts and Bolts Q&A session on August 18, 2009.