Solarize Rogue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is working to broaden access to solar energy for communities throughout Oregon. Their innovative community solar projects offer homeowners, renters, and businesses the opportunity to share in the benefits of clean, affordable energy.

Is Community Solar Right for You?

Traditional solar installations involve placing panels on a home’s roof. However, these projects can be expensive, and not all roofs are suitable for solar energy. Common obstacles include shading from trees, hills, or buildings, older or historic homes, roofs in disrepair or with incorrect slopes, and residents who don’t own their roofs, such as renters or those living in multi-family buildings or mobile homes.

Solarize Rogue, in partnership with Oregon Clean Power Coop, takes a different approach. “We build large solar projects at remote locations like open fields or very large roofs,” explains Ray Sanchez-Pescador, President of Solarize Rogue. “By building bigger, we can reduce the total costs significantly, in some cases by as much as 50%.”

To that effect, Solarize Rogue is actively seeking land and large rooftops suitable for these projects. They encourage owners of such facilities to partner with them and host a Community Solar project.  Land and rooftop owners get paid a fee for the use of their property, get a discount on their power bill, and help our community generate more local, affordable energy and make it accessible to everyone, including low-income residents.  

Everyone receiving a bill from Pacific Power can participate in a Community Solar project in several ways. They can help finance and own portions of the project or subscribe to pay monthly fees for their power, typically at a 10% discount. Critically, low-income families can also subscribe and benefit from energy at a minimum 40% discount.  

“Sharing the benefits of solar across a community is a great way to help reduce energy costs and inequities,” says Ray Sanchez-Pescador. “Investing in community solar builds local energy capacity and keeps our economies strong.”

Beyond cost savings, solar energy also stabilizes energy prices. With electricity costs consistently rising, a lower, more predictable energy cost provides both financial relief and peace of mind for the community.

The Advantages of Community Solar:

• Easy: Any local resident can purchase solar panels through the project, regardless of homeownership status. It’s a simple, affordable way to go solar without rooftop installation.
• Flexible: If you move within the Pacific Power territory, your ownership goes with you. You can also sell or donate your panels to another community member at any time.
• Lower Cost: Larger systems translate to lower costs for individual participants due to economies of scale. Purchases qualify for the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit, and participants can significantly reduce their electric bills. Pacific Power provides bill credits for the energy produced, with the amount they pay increasing by 2% annually.
• Community-Minded: Investments help low-income families save on electricity and reduce harmful carbon emissions by providing clean energy to more people.

Join the Solar Revolution!

Interested in learning more about how to host a Community Solar project?  Owners with suitable properties are encouraged to contact us today to explore partnership opportunities by visiting solarizerogue.org or by calling (541) 414-6566.  Community members wanting to participate in a Solarize Rogue community solar project should visit solarizerogue.org and put their name on the waiting list or call (541) 414-6566. Help us build a brighter future for our community by making clean, affordable energy accessible to everyone.  Together, we can power a more sustainable tomorrow.