Even though it’s been cold, wet, and icy in recent days, Northeast neighborhoods are abuzz with the news of going solar as Solarize Northeast prepares to launch its solar panel installation project this month. Modeled after the wildly popular Southeast Solarize Portland project that debuted in September 2009 (see our previous stories: Going Solar Doesn't Have to be a Solo Endeavor and Power to the People), a group of interested Sabin neighbors came together a few months ago to discuss the possibility of bringing a similar program to their neighborhood.
Tim O’Neal, sustainability coordinator at Southeast Uplift (who coordinates the Solarize Portland project and its related workshops) notes, “I'm really excited about the Northeast project. I think they have worked out some of the kinks we dealt with and have improved on the original concept. I expect to learn a lot from their project that I can use for a future round in Southeast.” (In all his free time, O’Neal is also volunteering for Solarize Northeast. How cool is that?)
Sabin Green
The Southeast-based project that gained momentum through serious interest from residents in the Mt Tabor neighborhood already has installed over 100 solar panel units. When the project officially ends in March, there will have been between 150 and 175 total installations. O'Neal adds:
Things have moved more slowly than we originally planned based on the number of participants. We had hoped to have installations completed by the end of the year but there was no way that could happen with 350 interested homeowners. Some people have been concerned about the slower than expected process, but the majority of the people I've talked to have been enthusiastically pleased with the results.
The response from the project, which has spanned five neighborhoods, has been more than positive, and certainly exciting for Southeast Uplift, Energy Trust, Imagine Energy (the project contractor), and neighbors alike. O’Neal continues, “I have a steady stream of people emailing me who have seen a neighbor's solar installation and are now interested in going solar themselves. The ripple effect is very evident.”
The solar electricity and water installation at Sabin Green
It is this very ripple effect that has spread to Northeast neighborhoods. Kelly Rodgers, project manager for Solarize Northeast, is excited about the upcoming project–including the RFP process ending on January 20 when the group officially names the project’s contractor as well as the project’s pricing structure, which all potential participants are more than curious about. “There’s been enough response and demand from the community and support from a few interested contractors already to bring positive attention to our project. It’s certainly not a given that Imagine Energy will be the contractor on this project, but they are, of course, interested and will submit a proposal.”
The Northeast project will differ in a few key ways, while capitalizing on the Southeast version’s many strengths. Rodgers says that the group “will be hosting a series of four information sessions and three to four technical workshops that will help people understand net metering, financing, and other nuts and bolts of this specific project” just as the Southeast group did. These workshops will be held from January through March and are free and open to the public. (Please check Solarize Northeast for final workshop schedule, coming soon.)
But another added facet of the Northeast project is to bring additional resources and information about weatherization to all neighbors. Even with the tremendous rebates, the project pricing may still be prohibitive to some; other hopefuls may find—after an initial project inspection—that their site conditions will preclude solar panel installation. Rodgers and her team want to provide people with resources to support the prevalent DIY spirit found in Portland, and to find contractors for advanced services for upgrades like solar water heaters and windows installations. “The goal is to help neighbors improve efficiency and overall comfort in their homes. Many haven’t even considered weatherization steps yet and that’s [solar panel installation] jumping the gun. We want people to reduce their base load before going solar,” she states. Solarize Northeast plans to partner with organizations that are already committed to these same goals, like Community Energy Project. “We don’t want to replicate their efforts but help connect people to resources.”
John Cunningham's installation at NE 10th Avenue and NE Failing Street
Ideally there are two tracks of participants. The first group is made up of those who are equipped with information, excitement, and are able to finance their projects upfront (participants collect grand rebates after the install). These installs can happen right away. The second group is made up of those who need more information and resources about tax credits, solar energy in general, and probably need to make upgrades on their homes before solar panel systems installs can be initiated. David Sweet, the project’s volunteer coordinator and outreach point person, and the team are committed to making this project “as inclusive a project as we can.” Sure, it’s a solar panel systems installation program with tremendous tax credit opportunities, but because the workshops encompass weatherization and other resources that all neighbors can benefit from, those who can’t make initial outlay—renters, low-income families—are also included in program outreach. This flexible model seems equipped to pave the way for more solar projects and weatherization workshops throughout our neighborhoods.
The City of Portland is another strong liaison of Solarize Northeast. Rodgers meets monthly along with Sweet and Lee Rahr, the City’s Residential Solar Program Coordinator, about the project. The three have already mapped out optimum customer experience and identified opportunities to improve the flow of various elements of the project’s process. Part of this flow is to deploy rolling installations over time, to meet the needs of batches of participants on an ongoing basis. “This will be much easier to manage,” assures Sweet.
The Northeast project will serve as a model for the rest of the City–with a Southwest-based project already in the planning stages. “Our approach is an opportunity to take it to the next level. Early adopters model to others, and then the project makes it to the mainstream–the SE project really showed us this,” notes Sweet. For example, in six years, about 150 photovoltaic systems were installed in Portland. Because of the popularity of the Southeast project, in fewer than six months another 100+ systems have been added to the mix.
The solar panel array at NE 10th Avenue and NE Failing Street
O’Neal observes: “From now until the end of the [Southeast] project we will basically just wait for the installation process to run through. Sometime in March we will have a big celebration so everyone can pat themselves on the back for taking collective action to increase the sustainability of our neighborhoods.”
It is this collective action that fuels such projects. And, we here in Northeast Portland are equally excited about the next neighborhood solar panel systems project that's soon to kick off.
