In addition to the Leap Year Special, your system will qualify for the following:
• Energy Trust of Oregon Incentives to PGE or Pacific Power Customers
• Federal Tax Credit of 30% of net cost
• State Residential Energy Tax Credit, up to $6,000

And, qualified customers will pay nothing up-front and get 18-months with no payments and no interest. This allows you to collect your 2012 tax credits, and 18 months of energy savings before making any payments.

Sign up for a free site assessment today.

Summary:

*Offer valid for residents outside of Clackamas County. Clackamas County residents qualify for Growing Solar Clackamas County discounting only.

The All-American Value Package™ creates an affordable solar system using SolarWorld’s high-quality, US made panels. This system supports the US economy, and US jobs, while being cost competitive with foreign-made solar equipment.

The All-American Premium Package™ provides the latest in solar panel technology with highest output SolarWorld PV modules. This package will maximize your energy harvest on the roof. It also includes Bluetooth-based in-home monitoring standard, so you can keep tabs on all of the energy you’ll produce.

Both of these packages come with our new 10-year limited installation warranty, in addition to a 25-year limited production warranty from SolarWorld.

Sign up for a free site assessment today.

*Module watt ratings may change without notice, and are subject to availability.

Sign a contract by December 31st and get your solar installed this winter so you can look forward to those sunny summer days and harvest energy all year! *Contract must be signed by December 31st

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.

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.

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

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

Many Oregonians are entertaining the idea of solar leasing. And while it is a great idea to have solar on your roof for no money down, it is important to understand and carefully review the proposed terms of any leasing contract.

“I was all set to sign, but then I carefully read my contract. I didn’t realize that the company involved had so much control over what was on my roof, and my life.”

Pamela works for a major utility company and thought leasing was a great idea. She felt that because of her industry she understood the benefits of solar, but as a new homeowner, she couldn’t afford the initial cash outlay of a PV system.

Pam says that three items stopped her from signing.

• Because there is a 30% federal tax credit for residential solar electricity projects, the leasing companies, who ultimately own the home solar energy systems are able to sell those tax credits to an investor or a bank. The homeowner does not receive this benefit.

• For the duration of the lease (15 to 20 years), the homeowner will pay the lease company a monthly fee to lease the panels, on top of their utility bill.

• Debt liability and resale value. The homeowner cannot sell the system on their roof and the new buyer must assume the lease. If the home cannot be sold with the lease, the first homeowner is subject to penalties and fees.

More news about the federal commitment to soar:

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2011/09/21/7880820-ap-interview-salazar-says-solar-push-to-continue

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.

2) Environmental conditions effect the life of your roof:

• high sun exposure may shorten the life of your shingles
• surrounding trees may drop debris onto your roof, increasing your chance of moss and decay

Show features World Electric Aircraft Symposium, also backed by SolarWorld

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011


High Resolution JPEG, 3600×1277, 918.0 KBHILLSBORO, Ore., July 22, 2011 – SolarWorld, the largest U.S. manufacturer of solar panels for more than 35 years, will showcase the maiden U.S. appearance of a zero-emissions electric aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011 in Oshkosh, Wis., starting Monday. SolarWorld and Germany’s PC Aero are working together to pioneer the world’s first comparatively affordable electric aircraft system complete with solar-equipped aircraft and solar-charging hangar.

PC Aero’s Calin Gologan will make several speaking appearances at AirVenture, which is expected to attract more than 500,000 people. Gologan will outline his vision of electric flight, including a talk as part of the SolarWorld-sponsored World Electric Aircraft Symposium on Friday, July 29. Elektra One will be on display in AirVenture’s Innovation Hangar, except at midday Wednesday, July 27, when it is expected to fly.

The single-seat Elektra One is designed for more than three hours of flight, a range of more than 250 miles, a cruising speed of more than 100 mph and zero emissions. With 1,400 propeller rotations a minute at cruising altitudes, Elektra One is nearly silent. The plane weighs 440 pounds, including battery, and can carry a payload of 220 pounds, including pilot.

SolarWorld and PC Aero are developing a new aviation filling station and hangar fitted with the company’s high-performance solar panels to service small aircraft, including the Elektra One, which also will bear SolarWorld photovoltaic cells to extend its range up to 30 percent.

“Elektra One is emblematic of a future in mobility that relies on efficient and environmentally sound electric vehicles,” said Frank Asbeck, CEO of SolarWorld. “We need to stop depending on fossil fuels – and their dirty, noisy use of scarce resources – to get from one place to another. Solar power, abundant and pervasive, is the obvious choice for travel in the skies.”

The Elektra One made its maiden flight in March in Augsburg, Germany, where Gologan’s vision of marrying the aircraft with a solar-charging hangar was conceptually demonstrated. PC Aero will begin taking orders for the aircraft in Europe and the U.S. in 2012. Gologan intends for a complete system – solar-equipped airplane combined with a hangar – to be priced around $145,000, or 100,000 euro.