City’s solar program lights up homeowners’ interest

Tax credits can help offset some of cost

 

By ERIC FLORIP

The East Oregonian

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The city of Pendleton’s solar program continues to move full steam ahead, with well over 100 residents signed up for free assessments of their homes. Lee Jorgensen, the city intern spearheading Solarize Pendleton, said a handful of fast-tracked participants could see solar panels installed on their homes as soon as next month.

“It’s been a great response so far,” Jorgensen said. “And it really came quick.”

Here’s how it works: The group-discount program allows residents to outfit their homes with solar panels, while saving from the normal sticker price through a pre-selected contractor. The city will also offer as many as 50 no-interest loans of up to $9,000 each to help decrease the up-front financial burden for some.

The city will use a lottery system to pick those loan recipients, Jorgensen said, noting applications soon will be distributed more widely. The deadline to apply for the loan is May 19. So far, about 15 people have thrown their names in, but that’s expected to grow, Jorgensen said.

“There’s been a lot of interest in the loan piece,” Jorgensen said. “People just don’t have the physical application in their hands yet.”

The city has hosted several public workshops on the program so far, with a few more possible in the near future, Jorgensen said. An average of about 30-50 people have turned out for each gathering so far, he said.

The sticker price of a typical home’s solar system might land above $10,000. But residents can earn much of that back through various state and federal tax credits, plus other financial incentives offered through the city-led program.

Of the 115 or so people signed up for assessments now, many have inquired simply to see if their homes are suitable for solar energy, Jorgensen said. Others who know they want to commit are further along in the process.

LiveLight Energy of Beaverton is installing the panels. Solarize Pendleton is a joint effort of the city, Solar Oregon and the Energy Trust of Oregon.