A great weekend in John Day Oregon
Mini Woodstock
Sustainable Business OregonPosted by Mac on August 4, 2010
Posted in A Sustainable Life • Solar | Tagged With: mr sun solar, renewable energy, Solar, solwest | No Comments yet, please leave one
Posted by Mac on July 27, 2010
Posted in Rants, Raves & Musings • Solar | Tagged With: Alternative Energy, linkedin, renewable energy, Solar, Solar Oregon | No Comments yet, please leave one
America is harvesting a solar garden
Ripped from the headlines …
Although I read and review hundreds of articles, newsletters, and reports monthly, consisting of thousands of pages of information and data, I rarely cite this information in my blog. That’s what these other people do – disseminate information and data – both micro and macro in scope.
My purpose is different. I write mostly from my own point of view, using my own voice, and in a much more personal way. This is how I feel I connect best with readers many of whom are friends, family and associates. I’m not one to toss around a lot of data to explain myself or to make my case. I leave that to the experts.
However, there are times when I need to make exception to my own rule. Some headlines are worth repeating and commenting on, and if you’ll indulge, I’ll occasionally post from an article I want readers to know about because you probably won’t see it in the course of living your daily life. Case in point, Solarbuzz‘s latest report, “United States PV Market 2010,” which reveals that the U.S. solar market grew 36% in 2009 responding positively in a time of economic downfall.
I think this is remarkable.
These results rank our country’s solar photovoltaic market third largest in the world, right behind Germany and Italy. Nobody saw this coming just a few years ago, but I’m here to tell you we’re there now and the future looks as bright as the Sun.
California is still driving the solar power market accounting for 53% of on-grid installations in 2009 and maintaining this position into 2010. I suspect this will continue for many years to come, although the Southwest region of the country will surely compete. Here in the Pac NW I’m happy to report that if Oregon reaches our 2010 estimates for installed solar photovoltaic, we’ll move up in the top ten list by percentage.
Here’s what the U.S. solar PV market looks like today according to this report:
Currently Oregon is included in "other states" ... this will change!
In America, the large number of state policy initiatives has created a fragmented regulations and incentive environment. It is confusing at best. However, evidence shows that states are doing their job of stimulating local markets.
“2009 marked a year of transformation for the U.S. solar market,” said Craig Stevens, president of Solarbuzz. “Changes in the roles of utility companies, new market entrants, lower cost PV modules from Asia and new direct-to-market approaches became more prevalent. As a result, solar companies doing business in the States will need to adapt quickly to these challenges while also being responsive to frequent adjustments in the fragmented incentive and regulatory environment.” Amen, brother.
On the other hand, fractured policy and dispersed funding sources mean the U.S. solar market does not carry the same level of risk compared to countries driven by a single national policy. It is assumed that Federal incentives are therefore due to play a much larger role in stimulating demand into 2012. Solarbuzz forecasts the market will grow to between 4.5 – 5.5GW depending on this given scenario. This is an average annual growth rate of 30% per annum.
What other industry is accomplishing this growth in light of the current economic environment? Solarbuzz says in 2010 the U.S. order book for solar photovoltaic systems currently stands at 12GW. Not bad for a “Johnny-come-lately”.
Go America! Go Solar!!
Posted by Mac on March 31, 2010
Posted in A Sustainable Life • Rants, Raves & Musings • Solar • Solmac Solar | Tagged With: linkedin, renewable energy, ron mcdowell, Solar, Solar bill of rights, solar blog | No Comments yet, please leave one
Last October I attended the 2009 Solar Power International conference in Anaheim, CA where I met Rhone Resch who is the president of the national SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association). He was busy promoting something he called the “Solar Bill of Rights” which he said will allow for a fair and competitive playing field with other energy sources like oil, gas, and coal. He stated that this bill seeks no more than the freedom to compete on equal terms and no more than the liberty for consumers to choose the energy source they think best.
I agree that we need policies that get renewable energy on a level playing field with fossil fuels and other industries that have been fully supported by our government for decades. Consider that from 2002-08 fossil fuels got $72B in federal subsidies while Solar got $2B. This has got to change. Our voice in support of expanding the solar industry in the United States is crucial and I just signed my name in support of this manifesto after receiving this email from Mr. Resch.
www.solarbillofrights.us/sign-on-now.html
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Dear Solar Industry Colleague,
At Solar Power International, we as an industry laid out the Solar Bill of Rights, eight rights that encompass the promise of solar energy in the United States. I am pleased to report that this effort is gaining traction. We already have some heavy hitters on our side, such as environmental activist Robert Kennedy, Jr., Environment America’s Margie Alt, actor Ed Begley, Jr., and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. But we need the support of you, your colleagues, and your customers if we want to build on the Solar Bill of Rights’ incredible momentum.
Today, I am asking you to join us in supporting these rights by adding your name to the Solar Bill of Rights. I know that some of you have already signed on and that is great! Now I ask you to forward this to your colleagues and to your customers. And why stop there? Make it the subject of your next Tweet and post it on your Facebook wall to show all of your friends that you support the Solar Bill of Rights.
The Solar Bill of Rights means no more restrictive homeowner associations telling families that they cannot install solar. It means a fair competitive playing field with other sources of energy like oil, gas, and coal. And it means that all Americans have the right to buy solar electricity from their utility. Realizing these and the other rights enumerated in the Solar Bill of Rights will finally bring the solar industry to the forefront of American energy, which so many of us have been working toward for years.
But as I’ve mentioned before, enacting the Solar Bill of Rights will take a sustained effort over time. That effort starts with you. The more voices we have, the more our voice will be heard as we demand that policymakers across the country give us these rights.
In the coming months, keep checking back to the Solar Bill of Rights website for the current list of signers, as well as latest news and developments.
Thanks for giving your voice to the Solar Bill of Rights,
Rhone Resch
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The eight “rights” … you’ll see that they’re sensible and reasonable by any estimation:
1. Americans have the right to put solar on their homes or businesses
Millions of Americans want to put solar on the roof of their home or business, but many are prevented from doing so by local restrictions. Some homeowners associations have prevented residents from going solar through neighborhood covenants, which allow for the association to veto any changes to a property’s aesthetics. Some utilities and municipalities have also made it prohibitively time-consuming and/or expensive to have a system permitted or inspected.
2. Americans have the right to connect their solar energy system to the grid with uniform national standards
currently, each state (in some cases, each utility) has a unique process for connecting solar systems to the local electricity grid. National interconnection standards will create a uniform process and paperwork, creating a simple process for the homeowner and a standardized physical connection for manufacturers. Connecting a home solar system shouldn’t be any more complicated for the homeowner than setting up an Internet connection.
3. Americans have the right to Net Meter and be compensated at the very least with full retail electricity rates
Residential solar systems generate excess electricity in the middle of the day, when the owners aren’t usually at home. Net metering requires the utility company to credit any excess generation to the customer at full retail rates at a minimum – effectively running the electricity meter backwards when the system is generating more electricity than the occupants of the house are using. Allowing customers to net meter is critical to making solar an economically viable option for most homeowners.
4. The solar industry has the right to a fair competitive environment
The highly profitable fossil fuel industries have received tens of billions of dollars in subsidies from the federal government for decades. In addition, fossil fuel industries are protected from bearing the full social costs of the pollution they produce. The solar energy industry and the public expect a fair playing field, with all energy sources evaluated based on their full, life-cycle costs and benefits to society. Therefore it is critical that solar energy receive the same level of support, for the same duration, as the fossil fuel industry.
5. The solar industry has the right to produce clean energy on public lands
America has some of the best solar resources in the world, which are often on public lands overseen by the federal government. But even though oil and gas industries are producing on 13 million acres of public lands, no solar permits have been approved. Solar is a clean, renewable American resource and solar development on public lands is a critical component of any national strategy to expand our use of renewable energy.
6. Solar industry has the right to sell its power across a new, 21st century transmission grid
over the last 100 years, the transmission grid in the United States has been built as a patchwork of local systems, designed and planned to meet local needs. As the needs of customers have changed, so has the way the electric industry does business. What haven’t changed are the rules crafted in an era of coal-fired power plants. What is needed now is an investment in infrastructure to connect areas rich in solar resources with major population centers.
7. Americans have the right to buy solar electricity from their utility
Many utility companies have never considered offering their customers the option to purchase clean solar energy, rather than dirty energy from coal or other fossil fuels. Nation-wide over 90 percent of people support increased use of solar energy, and over three-quarters believe it should be a major priority of the federal government. Despite this, only around 25 percent of utility customers in the U.S. have the ability to actually purchase clean, renewable power from their utility, and only a fraction of those programs offer solar energy. Utilities should be required to offer the electricity source that their customers want.
8. Americans have the right to – and should expect – the highest ethical treatment from the solar industry
Solar energy systems are an investment as much as a physical product. Consumers deserve top-quality information and treatment from solar energy providers and installers. Consumers should expect the solar industry to minimize its environmental impact and communicate information about available incentives in a clear, accurate and accessible manner. Finally, consumers should expect that solar systems will work better than advertised, and that companies will make every good faith effort to support solar owners over the life of their systems. Read SEIA’s code of ethics.
Want to support these rights?
Together we can make a difference!
Posted by Mac on March 2, 2010
Posted in A Sustainable Life • About • naturehouse • Rants, Raves & Musings • Solar | Tagged With: arnold creek, Energy Trust of Oregon, linkedin, mr sun solar, ron mcdowell, Solar, Solar Ambassador, solar blog, Solar Oregon, solarize portland | 4 Comments
Ron "Mac" McDowell stands next to his newly installed 4.1-kilowatt photovoltaic solar system. The Arnold Creek resident wants to help solarize Southwest Portland.
Republished from the Southwest Community Connection, (Mar 1, 2010) - By Brian Olsen http://www.swcommconnection.com/news/index.php
Portland, Ore
Twenty years ago, Ron McDowell (a.k.a. Mac) immersed himself in IT and computer software when that was the coming thing. He recently cashed out of that business and now is intrigued with solar power. Solar was once a more noble pursuit than lucrative, but tax incentives and rebates are making the use of solar to help power the homes of Southwest Portland residents increasingly popular.
This new popularity makes it the perfect time for the bright and friendly former software project manager to reinvent himself and pursue sustainability consulting.
His stated goal is to “solarize” Southwest Portland neighborhoods. McDowell and other ”Solar Ambassadors” are connecting local residents interested in solar through a project called Solarize Southwest Portland.
Solarize Southwest Portland is a grassroots initiative started by Southwest Portland residents who want to invest in solar electric systems for their homes. They help educate interested parties about solar, connect residents with Energy Trust of Oregon-approved, state “tax-credit certified” solar contractors that will perform free site assessments, and use collective purchasing to get bulk-priced discounts on solar panel installation.
“We had 20 people at our kick-off meeting, all local residents, and we’re just now getting the word out,” McDowell said.
Because of collective purchasing power, tax incentives, and rebates, McDowell feels the cost to solarize is lower than ever. “Economies of scale are there,” he said. The pay back period for a 2.0-kilowatt photovoltaic system can be four years depending on what percentage of annual electricity use it provides and “then you’ve got that free energy for the next 25 years after that.”
Solar tax incentives and rebates include: the State of Oregon’s $3-per-watt tax credit, up to $6,000 (taken over four years); the federal government’s 30 percent tax credit off the up-front cost after rebate (no cap); and the Energy Trust of Oregon’s solar installation rebate that can cut costs by thousands.
The group’s recent “arm-chair” discussion, or as McDowell also jokingly called it, a “Prius convention,” took place at his Southwest Portland home with his solar contractor. The course of the discussion shifted from dollars and cents to the environment when McDowell’s solar contractor, John Patterson – who recently wrote the book, “Footprint: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Extinction” – pointed to the 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide a large coal plant produces in an hour. Over 40 percent of Oregon’s power comes from coal-fired plants, according to the Sierra Club.
For McDowell and many others, this is the purest motivation for solar.
Despite Portland’s notoriously rainy weather, it has “two-thirds as much usable solar energy as anywhere in the country,” Patterson added. McDowell explained that the southwest exposure of his solar panels give him good sunlight throughout the year. On a recent typical Portland day, the sky was overcast and the 4.1-kilowatt photovoltaic system, just installed on his pool building, was generating 422 watts.
He estimates the system will satisfy all of his power needs and then some this summer. In a satisfied and pleased tone, he explained that the power he will be putting back on the grid will help power his neighbors’ homes.
But solar is not a one-size-fits-all system, McDowell cautioned. He recommends getting a solar site assessment to reveal the solar viability of a residence. Many contractors will do a free site assessment, which includes pointing out opportunities for energy-efficiency improvements.
For those who decide solar is a good option, he said: “On-grid systems should use a contractor for a lot of good reasons, and connecting something correctly to a roof is risky business. There is also balance of system components involved, and dealing with electricity is dangerous for the average Joe. Plus, to get the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) rebate, we are required to use an ETO professional trade ally.”
Solarize Southwest Portland will be holding four workshops at Southwest neighborhood schools in March and April and is setting a deadline of May 15 to sign up for collective purchasing. They will be putting out for bids from local solar contractors and a decision on a contractor will be announced at the Energy Trust of Oregon’s “Better Living Show” at the Portland Expo Center at the end of March.
For more on this program or to sign up, visit http://www.solarizesouthwestportland.org/
Posted by Mac on February 26, 2010
Posted in Rants, Raves & Musings | Tagged With: Early Adopters, facebook, Rants & Raves, ron mcdowell, Solar, solar blog, SUSTAINABILITY | 1 Comment
Facebook offers a global soapbox, so let’s use it. Facebook offers many of us a place to communicate, and a lot of this communication is awareness (and education) of all issues, including my own favorite topics – sustainability and solar energy.
I think Facebook is the new Town Hall folks!
Remember … that’s the place where people used to gather to do things like see old friends, share pictures, discuss and share ideas. People went to town hall meetings to discuss the issues that confronted them. This involved providing education of the topic at hand – which in turn – stimulated discussion. Technology has transformed the way we communicate. These postings/comments are representative of those old-school discussions. Yes, people today do seem less cordial when making their point or expressing themselves, but old-schoolers did their share of mud-slinging when the conversation got a little heated.
Facebook affords opportunity to reach a varied and engaged community. I relish the comments no matter the POV because as long as we’re talking about solar – it’s all good. Using this medium to advocate and educate for things we believe in will enable us to get better connected in today’s virtual neighborhood. That’s my two cents.
Whatdoyouthink?
Posted by Mac on February 24, 2010
Posted in Solar | Tagged With: Alternative Energy, Energy Efficiency, Solar, solar blog, Solar Oregon, solarize portland | 1 Comment
For more information go to http://www.solarizesouthwestportland.org/
Posted by Mac on February 21, 2010
Posted in A Sustainable Life • Solar | Tagged With: Energy Trust of Oregon, linked in, renewable energy, residential solar, ron mcdowell, Solar, Solar Ambassador, solar blog | 2 Comments
“Hi. I saw the description of your solar panels on the solaroregon.org website. I live in Medford, OR and I have a few questions in addition to your useful bio on the Solar Oregon site … before I take the next step. Thanks for your time.” - Shad Keene
Thanks for your questions, Shad. I’ll do my best to answer accordingly. 
As a Solar Ambassador, I do get emails from folks who ask me specific questions about our solar installation here at naturehouse. They want to learn more about solar photovoltaic energy, so thought I’d pick this email I received from Shad and answer his/her questions on my blog in order to get this information out to everyone who may have a similar interest.
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Shad, the most common question is about cost and one cannot talk about cost without factoring in available incentives, so I’ll change the order of your questions and combine these two if you don’t mind.
Q: What was the total cost out of your pocket? What benefits/incentives did you receive for the solar installation?
A: In order to receive the incentives (which you do want), you’ll deal with two costs really … the upfront cost that you pay the solar contractor who does your install and the net cost which is what you’ve paid after tax credits and rebates. Both of these numbers are contingent upon the size and quality of the Solar PV system you install. In our case it is a 4100 watt (4.1kW) system using 20 Sanyo HIT 205w solar modules (the most expensive you can buy today), and a Fronius IG Plus 3.8 Inverter with a Datalogger (remote system monitor) kit. For us, the numbers are as follows:
Total system cost (invoiced) = $ 30,165.
Out of pocket cost (after ETO rebate) = $ 20,940.
Net Cost (after tax credits) = $ 8,658.
Therefore, for $8,658 we’ll have an average of 20% of our annual electrical costs provided by our solar system at a fixed cost for the next 25 years. In our area PGE is looking for a rate increase of 7.4% this year (with certainly more increases to come), so naturally these savings should also be factored into your purchasing equation, but more about this later as we’re talking about the cost to install in this question.
INCENTIVES (Oregon-centric): There are three major incentives you’ll need to factor into your equation…
The ETO rebate is based upon the size of your system (and the rebate amount per watt available from your local utility for net metering) and is paid directly to your installer. This amount gets deducted directly from the top line (invoice) cost which reduces your out of pocket expense.
In our case … $30,165 minus ETO rebate of $9,225 = $20,940 which represents our out of pocket cost.
The Federal Tax Credit is 30% of this out of pocket cost … so for 2009 tax year we’ll get a credit worth $6,282. A tax credit is much better than a deduction as it comes directly off any tax liability you may owe. So, we reduced our $20,940 cost by $6,282 and the net is now $14,658.
The Oregon State Tax Credit is $6,000 but it has to be taken over 4 years ($1,500 per year). $14,658 minus $6,000 = $8,658 net/net after four years.
This is the real cost you are asking about.
System Payback
To get a better idea re: payback period … take the net cost of $8,658 and divide by the amount of energy you’ll self-generate and reduce from your annual utility bill. Again, in our case this is estimated at $800 per year (current rates), so we’re looking at a full payback in 8-10 years or so. This payback can be accelerated if electrical rates continue to go up year over year, which is a distinct possibility, and also contingent upon what conservation measures one might make to reduce consumption and energy loss.
Q: How big (dimensions) were the panels that were installed?
Each Sanyo module (panel) is roughly 31” x 62” and is 1.8” thick as framed. They each weigh 35 lbs.
Our array consists of 20 such modules, 2 rows (series) in parallel, 10 mods in each series.
They are attached to our poolhouse’s composition roof via QuickMount waterproof flashing using UniRac SolarMounts.
Q: What was the process you went through (general steps)?
Hmmm… this broad of a question requires a multi-layered answer, so start with my blog posts on solarflareblog.com entitled “Solar Power at naturehouse, Intro” and “Residential Solar PV: How to get started” then check back with me with your more specific follow-up question(s).
Books are written to explain the totality of this question and I haven’t had the time to do so (yet).
Q: What has been the actual electricity generated (kwatts preferably) from the panels? I saw some estimates, but curious on what the actual numbers have been?
A: Since we installed last December (Winter is the worst time for solar access), it is way too soon to really know the answer to your question, however since El Nino has been kind enough to host above normal sunshine in February, our system is now humming along with about 10kWh per day = 10,000 watts daily. Over this past week, we’ve pushed a number of kWhs to the utility grid as we’re producing more than we’re using. Since we’re net metering, this will reflect back as a “credit” on our next electric utility bill (PGE).
Note: One kWh is produced when your PV array has produced 1000 watts for one hour.
Q: What will be/has been the maintenance necessary for the panels and how long do you expect them to last?
A: Little maintenance is required except to keep dust or debris from accumulating over time. I’ve only cleaned them once so far as our Oregon rain does a nice job of keeping our panels clean. This took about 15 minutes of my time.
These Sanyo modules are expected to last 25 years (warranty is 20 years power output). The Inverter will most likely need to be changed within 10 years, but that’s okay because this technology is changing so quickly that upgrading will be something we’ll want to do before then anyway.
I hope my answers provided some insight and are helpful in making your own decision on whether Solar Photovoltaic energy is right for you. Medford is a fabulous place to have a solar system. Keep in touch!
Posted by Mac on February 21, 2010
Posted in A Sustainable Life • Rants, Raves & Musings • Solar | Tagged With: Alternative Energy, renewable energy, Solar, solar blog, solarize portland | No Comments yet, please leave one
Whew. What a week this has been in Portland, Oregon!
There’s so much happening that’s its difficult keeping up. The Trailblazers traded for center Marcus Camby. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and other black leaders are here talking about PPD (police) actions. There are protests in the streets. The Oregon BETC is under investigation. Mayor Adams is facing a second recall attempt. PGE wants to raise electrical rates by 7.4%. Jobs are down and taxes are up.
This entire churn is under an umbrella of Spring-like weather here in Portland while the rest of the country is barely surviving a severe winter experience. I’d like to think this is an El Nino phenomenon and not another sign of climate change. This remains to be seen but I gotta tell you, the birds, trees and flowers all love this early sunshine. So do our solar panels! They’re humming along generating more power than we can use so we’re putting electricity into the grid this week (in mid-February!) and that’s some good news.
Also in the news this week, The Oregonian newspaper had two major stories about Solar Power. These articles are related to things right here in our own backyard. The first article entitled “Solar power bargains” (by Dylan Rivera) highlights the Solarize Portland campaigns sponsored by the City of Portland BPS, Energy Trust of Oregon, Solar Oregon, a number of neighborhood associations, and volunteers like myself.
Check out the story for yourself …
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/02/solarized_portland_on_a_missio.html
“Oregon’s Solar Future” written by Amy Hsuan, asks the question “Can Oregon ride solar technology to prosperity?” She writes about the German incentive model called a feed-in tariff and wonders if the German subsidy model will show us the way to growth of our own “Solar Forest.” I intend to post articles of my own on the subject of feed-in tariffs as Oregon is planning to roll out our (pilot) version this summer.
In the meantime, check out this story http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/02/oregons_solar_future_could_hin.html
Posted by Mac on February 16, 2010
Posted in A Sustainable Life • Rants, Raves & Musings • Solar | Tagged With: Climate Change, mr sun solar, ron mcdowell, Solar, solar blog, SUSTAINABILITY | 1 Comment
FOOTPRINT - written by John H. Patterson (with Suzanne Olsen)
I am giddy with excitement and anticipation. John Patterson, Portland’s Mr. Sun Solar himself, stopped by the house and delivered a copy of his new book FOOTPRINT for me to read and review. It is one of the very first copies, still hot off the press, and I’m so grateful he asked me to read it. Wants to know what I think! I am honored to do so.
John P is my solar guru. The guy has forgotten more than I’ll ever know about passive & active solar, and the science related to carbon dioxide and climate change. He’s been involved in the solar biz since 1980 and I consider John to be the voice of clean energy here in the Pac NW. I’m happy to report that his voice now has a new conduit – the written page. I suspect his book is going to be an important read for anyone interested in understanding how to determine, and then reduce, their carbon footprint.
I gotta say … I do like the title – FOOTPRINT. It’s simple, but offers interpretation. In the context of the climate change/global warming discussion, it literally refers to our human carbon footprint. In his Introduction John points out that “Sustaining the lifestyle of an average middle class American in a twenty-four hour period results in the release of one hundred pounds of CO2.”
FOOTPRINT can also mean the first step down a path where others may someday follow (e.g. Neil Armstrong’s footprint on the Moon.) It connotes a pioneering spirit. When I read the word I see Lewis & Clark in my mind’s eye.
FOOTPRINT connects past to present and many cultures have the saying, ‘following in the footprints of our ancestors, those who came before us’.
All these interpretations fit in the case of this book and certainly in the case of the author. The full book title is, “FOOTPRINT – a Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Extinction”, by John H. Patterson. Regardless of how one takes the subtitle this is a serious book about a serious subject.
I’ve only read the first two chapters, so to be fair it is way too soon to provide a critique or review. John’s asked for a quick turn-around, so I’ll be reading it this week. Once I’ve given him my review, I’ll share it my faithful readers. I expect to really like the book, so I must take some care to remain objective, and caution myself not to swoon too much over the prose.
Stay tuned.
Posted by Mac on February 13, 2010
Posted in A Sustainable Life • Solar • Solmac Solar | Tagged With: Energy Trust of Oregon, linkedin, renewable energy, residential solar, ron mcdowell, Solar, Solar Ambassador, Solar Oregon, solarize portland | 2 Comments
SOLAR OREGON Volunteer Orientation - Hadley at the door, Karrie next to pole
This morning I spent a few hours with a bunch of strangers at SOLAR OREGON headquarters in Portland. This meeting was called by Karrie Hamilton, SO Volunteer Coordinator, to pull together a group of people that have an interest in seeing more solar energy in Oregon. Most everyone in the room was a SO member and several of us were volunteers, which was the whole point of the meeting. Karrie and Hadley Price, SO Business Development Director, conducted an orientation session to those of us who’re interested in volunteering for the organization. There is much work to do.
We all have our motivations that drive our behavior … for me this one is simple, it is for the cause.
As a member of SOLAR OREGON I am a relative newcomer (the organization itself has been around for 30 years), but because I believe in the cause, and in this non-profit group of advocates and educators, I signed up to be a Volunteer. More importantly I signed up to be what they call a SOLAR AMBASSADOR. So far there is only a small handful of us and we want some company.
The Solar Oregon –Solar Ambassador Program is for those of us who already own solar. As solar pioneers (so to speak) we are often the best advocates, and as such we act as quasi-representatives of the organization. Our goal is simple … help others bring solar power into their lives.
As Ambassador, my role will be to connect with others who want to go Solar.
I am expected to
• Inspire people with my enthusiasm for solar
• Share my reasons for going solar
• Describe what it’s like to live with solar
No problemo!
Solar Oregon members attending Volunteer Orientation
Lots of enthusiasm in that room for Solar Energy!
Karrie and Hadley provided information and background to what needs to be done. Besides supporting public outreach events like informational workshops and trade shows, they listed off some immediate needs for ANYONE willing to donate time to do things like …
For members, there are seven Committees one can join to work more on the policy and the operational side of the organization. Don’t know if I’m ready for that yet, but I did sign-up to work the booth at several upcoming trade shows, including the Energy Trust Better Living Show, March 26-28, at the Portland Expo Center. This show is highly attended and I’ll be sure to get a workout, but what a great opportunity to tell people about solar. I’m looking forward to it.
SOLAR OREGON – http://www.solaroregon.org/
SO Solar Ambassador Profile page http://www.solaroregon.org/solar-ambassador/?appSession=054119022763424&RecordID=73&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=