Community Solar is a program that allows utility customers to buy into a local solar facility. These solar panel installations are set up that households and businesses experiencing disqualifying factors can still opt for clean energy. Community solar expands excess to all, primarily geared towards low-to-moderate income customers. This program could be a work around for the almost 50% of businesses and consumers to be unable to host their own PV system. Workarounds for renters, over-shaded properties, commercial buildings with equipment filling up the roof, homeowners that plan to move, or an inability to afford a stand-alone system.
We will be updating this page as announcements are made:
The Oregon Public Utility Commission released an update on the Community Solar Program Implementation kicking off the new year. We at Eco Solar and Electric are excited about several of the developments suggested by the OPUC.
160 MW of initial program capacity.
10 percent mandate of total generating capacity made available by low-income residential customers.
At least 50% of nameplate capacity of each project must be reserved for residential and small commercial customers.