1. Slide 1 – Introduction – 30 seconds
Introduce yourself
Thank you for the opportunity to be here today.
Sustainable Northwest believes a healthy economy, environment, and community are indivisible, and that all three are strengthened by wise partnerships, policies, and investments.
In the context of (this program/this presentation), this means…..
Community Solar in Oregon Sustainable Northwest Bridget Callahan May 22, 2018

2. Community Based Models
NREL

3. What is Community Solar?
Participants voluntarily pay for a subscription (or direct ownership) off-site.
Electricity produced by the project flows directly into the grid.
In exchange for subscription, participants receive an agreed upon compensation (e.g., an on-bill credit)
Intent of the model is to increase access - over 75% of households cannot install solar due to shade, renters, HOA, multifamily, nonprofit facilities, structural, etc.

4. What We Know
Projects must be in PGE, Pacific Power or Idaho Power territory
3MW max per project
5 customer minimum, no customer may subscribe to >40% of capacity
50% reserved for residential, small commercial
10% low income residential
Generation subscription benefit through a bill credit = residential retail rate
The Making Energy Work for Rural Oregon coalition is a group of almost a dozen rural communities working on energy planning, energy efficiency programming and renewable energy project development in an effort to spur economic development, reduce carbon, save money and keep dollars local.
The Making Energy Work for Rural Oregon program was born out of a call I received from Jim Walls (LCRI) He was making great progress in Lake County through a community driven multi stakeholder process. He said - how about we take this on the road and help other communities replicate the work coming out of Lakeview and the Wallowas too.
Jim suggested we take thsi work on the road, and they could be doing this work too, and we can provide that leadership.
At Jim’s urging, I cotnacted ODOE And ETO, put out an RFP, allowing communitites to opt in, communities that wanted our support. In 2015 we hosted 5 workshops, in , Fall Energy Symposium. Also brought in new speakers, outside expertise to help communities save energy and build renewable projects.
In we hosted 5 workshops, 2 tours, 2 Fall Symposiums. In 2018 we will be hosting a resiliency tour in Coos County. As you can see from this slide, what you’re going to hear from today Hood River, has come out of the workshops and action plans.

5. SunShot: Solar In Your Community Challenge
Pilot, refine, and replicate community-finance solar models across Oregon

6. SunShot: Making Energy Work Team
The Making Energy Work for Rural Oregon team, led by Sustainable Northwest, was selected in May 2017 to compete.
Three participating communities: Lake, Douglas, and Hood River Counties.
Pilot, refine, and replicate community solar across Oregon in select rural communities.

7. Ownership Structures Neighborhood projects
Identify potential anchor tenants
Small commercial
Agricultural producers
Low-income assistance providers

8. Site Selection and Identification
Rooftop vs. ground mount
Interconnection/load
Environmental and natural hazards
Zoning and land use
Site control

9. Douglas County Community Solar
Exploring site options with Douglas County, and Neighborworks Umpqua (low income housing and social services non-profit)
Both rooftop and ground mount options
Working with Renewable Energy Associates (Corvalis) to evaluate sites for floodplain and wetland issues and further analysis

10. Hood River County, Community Solar Mapping

11. Community Solar Tools Handouts and power points for outreach
PSU GIS mapping resources
ODFW Compass
Oregon State University’s Oregon Explorer
Pacific Power’s OASIS
Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission
The Making Energy Work for Rural Oregon coalition is a group of almost a dozen rural communities working on energy planning, energy efficiency programming and renewable energy project development in an effort to spur economic development, reduce carbon, save money and keep dollars local.
The Making Energy Work for Rural Oregon program was born out of a call I received from Jim Walls (LCRI) He was making great progress in Lake County through a community driven multi stakeholder process. He said - how about we take this on the road and help other communities replicate the work coming out of Lakeview and the Wallowas too.
Jim suggested we take thsi work on the road, and they could be doing this work too, and we can provide that leadership.
At Jim’s urging, I cotnacted ODOE And ETO, put out an RFP, allowing communitites to opt in, communities that wanted our support. In 2015 we hosted 5 workshops, in , Fall Energy Symposium. Also brought in new speakers, outside expertise to help communities save energy and build renewable projects.
In we hosted 5 workshops, 2 tours, 2 Fall Symposiums. In 2018 we will be hosting a resiliency tour in Coos County. As you can see from this slide, what you’re going to hear from today Hood River, has come out of the workshops and action plans.

12. Thank you! Bridget Callahan bcallahan@SustainableNorthwest.org