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People sometimes don’t know that solar power works in our climate but in Hillsboro we know from experience that it does — and so do many of you.  We have installed nearly 200 kilowatts of solar energy on City facilities and you can see through interactive displays on the City website, http://sustainability.hillsboro-or.gov, how much energy is generated.

Now is a great time for you to “go solar” too.  Last month, we announced the Hillsboro Solar Advantage, an exciting new partnership with SolarWorld and local solar installer Live Light Energy, that combines incentives and a “bulk” purchase rate to help citizens install a solar system on their homes.  These solar arrays are designed and made by SolarWorld.  You can receive tax credits and incentives that make solar more affordable and the best time to take advantage of them is now.  Information about upcoming Hillsboro Solar Advantage events are listened in the calendar on page 8.

I’m proud of the significant clean energy investments being made in our community, including green power purchases, Clean Energy Works Oregon, electric vehicle charging stations, energy-saving technology and solar power.  These actions are cost-effective ways to support the new energy economy and our local quality of life.  They create jobs right here in our community in both manufacturing and trades, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and emissions of greenhouse gases and help us continue to lead in the new energy economy.

The investments we make now will save a great deal over time and will ensure Hillsboro is a sustainable Hometown of the Future.

Former Milton-Freewater resident and orchard owner Don McAllister, now of La Grande, Oregon has joined the LiveLight Energy Pendleton office effective immediately.  McAllister has taken the position with an eye towards informing residents of the Umatilla, Morrow, Milton-Freewater and the Baker areas that up to 80 percent in savings is possible when Energy Trust of Oregon incentives are combined with state and federal tax credits. Final prices will vary upon financing and system size and require a site assessment by an Energy Trust of Oregon certified installer such as LiveLight Energy.  Documented pricing models for the Pacific Power service area are available upon request

McAllister says that because LiveLight Energy is the largest authorized installer of SolarWorld Sunkits® in the United States, the company is able to offer Oregonians volume discounts for photovoltaic (PV) systems, lowering the final cost by at least 20 percent below current market prices. Eligible systems include a wide variety of PV applications that reduce annual electric utility costs for agricultural, residential and commercial applications. Energy savings can equal one-third, or more, of an average annual power bill.  Free site surveys can be scheduled by calling McAllister at 541-969-2005, or toll free, 1-888-919-2887, or stop by the LiveLight Energy Pendleton office 215 SW 10^th Street during regular business hours.

After receiving a 98 percent Pendleton customer satisfaction rating in 2010, the company returned as the 2011 Solarize Pendleton installer and designer. Continuing a buy-Oregon economic model, LiveLight Energy uses SolarWorld of America panels manufactured in Hillsboro. All other parts and supplies are purchased from Oregon trade partners. To date, the Solarize Pendleton project has installed more than 75 residential and commercial solar systems. Vetted and certified, LiveLight Energy takes responsibility for site surveys and the paper work necessary for securing all possible tax credits and incentives for solar installations.

Dear Friends

As you have heard me say many times, Solar is one of Oregon’s biggest economic development opportunities. Research shows that renewable energy creates 16.7 jobs for every $1 million in spending (compared to only 5.3 fossil fuel-based jobs). Another study shows that for every job created by the solar industry, between 1.8 and 2.8 jobs are created in other segments of the economy. To support renewable energy growth, our education system needs a boost. In some small way, LiveLight Energy wishes to help students enter into our energy future.

As we launch the Hillsboro Solar Advantage Program, I am pleased to announce that LiveLight Energy will make a donation of $50 in our customer’s name to the Hillsboro Schools Foundation for each of the first 50 solar systems installed in the Hillsboro Solar Advantage program. This will be a total donation of up to $2,500. Information about the Hillsboro Solar Advantage program can be found at http://hillsborosolaradvantage.com

It is also my pleasure to announce that SolarWorld USA–one of Hillboro’s top employers, will be matching our donation to the Hillsboro Schools Foundation. LiveLight Energy is proud to use SolarWorld panels exclusively because of the jobs they support in our area.

Many of you are from Hillsboro or know people in the Hillsboro area. Please let them know of this excellent opportunity. Consider joining us in supporting education in Oregon by going solar.

Thank you for your support!

Keith

Quick update: the state of solar what about leasing?

Hillsboro Solar Advantage provides Oregonians in the region with educational information, discounts and the opportunity to take advantage of 2011 federal and Oregon State Residential Energy Tax Credits (RETC).

Please see our events calendar and join us at free events this fall.

Don’t get “fleeced” by a lease. Tips about “no cost” programs for renewable energy Read the rest of this entry »

Do you know if your roof is solar ready?

Here are a few quick tips:

1) You need at least ten years of life left in your roof. The average asphalt roof in the pacific northwest lasts about 17-22 years. If your roof is getting close to 12 years old, the conditions of your location will be important in determining the remaining life.
Read the rest of this entry »

SolarWorld presents electric aircraft, Elektra One, in U.S. debut at huge aviation show in Oshkosh, Wis.

Show features World Electric Aircraft Symposium, also backed by SolarWorld

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011
Read the rest of this entry »

This year’s street of Affordable Homes ends July 31st! Don’t miss this opportunity to see the most recent ideas in sustainable homes. Located on Bull Mountain in Tigard, the new homes showcase the latest in sustainable homes by local builders.

The Street of Affordable Homes, www.streetofaffordablehomes.com, is open throughout the month of July, and highlights solar demonstrations and materials provided by SolarWorld and LiveLight Energy.

The incentives for switching to solar energy have never been better! Changing to solar power increases the value of your home, insulates you from energy inflation, and saves you money on your monthly energy bill.

If you have been curious about solar energy, but aren’t sure if it is right for you, this is the perfect opportunity to see it in action and to get your questions answered. Find out how to incorporate solar energy and other sustainable home building practices into your home!

Visit us this Saturday and Sunday at this year’s Street of Affordable Homes.

15444 SW Summerview Drive, Tigard, Oregon

For maps and driving directions, check out the Street of Affordable Homes website at www.streetofaffordablehomes.com

We hope you all enjoyed a safe and sunny holiday this weekend. We would like to take this opportunity to share with you a new angle on our country’s independence. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley was a member of a team that recently presented legislature t0 help our country take steps toward eliminating our dependence on overseas oil, strengthen national security, and create jobs.

The Oil Independence for a Stronger America Act of 2011 focusses on phasing out our nation’s dependence on foreign oil over the next 20 years, through developing our clean energy infrastructure. The plan outlines specific steps and goals for clean energy development that would strengthen our country’s economy by creating jobs in renewable energy and construction and by keeping energy dollars in America’s pocket rather than sending our hard-earned dollars abroad to fuel our dependence on foreign energy.

In addition to the massive economic benefits of keeping our energy dollars circulating through our nation’s own bank accounts, this plan would have a large impact on national security. Energy independence would reduce our nation’s vulnerability to oil and energy price fluctuations abroad, and represent a strong next step in our nation’s independence.

Senator Merkley describes America’s situation, and our opportunity for increased independence in a recent press release. He says, “As we celebrate our nation’s independence, our economic fate is firmly in the hands of others… We can continue to send a billion dollars a day overseas and be at the mercy of gas price spikes, or we can invest that money right here at home creating red, white, and blue American jobs. It is time to declare our independence from overseas oil.”

For more information, see the full press release here.

For more information on how you can be on your way to individual energy independence, visit our website at livelightenergy.com or call us at 1-888-91-WATTS today!

The Street of Affordable Homes in July offers tours of sustainable home innovations that won’t squeeze your wallet

Located on Bull Mountain in Tigard, this new home showcase combines solar energy and sustainable home building practices by local builders J.T. Roth Construction Inc., Skyline Homes and Design, Stone Bridge Homes NW and Timberland Homes.

The Street of Affordable Homes, streetofaffordablehomes.com,  from July 7 through 31, features introductory solar demonstrations and materials provided by the title sponsors: SolarWorld, the largest and most experienced U.S. manufacturer of crystalline silicon solar panels, and LiveLight Energy, a renewable energy installation company. LiveLight is based in Beaverton, Ore.; SolarWorld has its U.S. headquarters in Hillsboro, Ore.

By moving into a new homes with solar, a homeowner may spread out the one-time, upfront cost of a system over the span of a mortgage. Payments average $35 a month, and Street of Affordable homes residential solar panel arrays have been designed to be completely paid for within two years, giving homebuyers decades of solar savings. Discount  pricing information will be posted the first week of July at livelightenergy.com.