In an article published on December 3, 2020, Damien Hall and Carly Sellers with Oregon Shines discuss the importance of bringing clean, renewable solar energy to underrepresented low-income communities. “While some states have struggled to deliver, Oregon’s community solar program provides a unique platform to bring solar to frontline communities by successfully leveraging public-private partnerships and providing flexible project structure and financing alternatives,” writes Hall.
The article addresses the recent regulations around community solar and the Oregon Community Solar Program which kicked off in early 2020. “An aspect of the ORCSP is the ability given to subscribers to maintain ownership of the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) generated by their subscription which allows agencies, such as PCC, an alternative to simply buying RECs,” writes Hall. “Through community polar, participants are gaining an opportunity to support local solar projects while also saving an average of 5% on their subscribed electricity annually.”
“Partnerships, such as the one between Oregon Shines and PCC, set the precedent for all consumers of electricity, large commercial or residential, to look at their energy consumption and ask themselves what options they have to mitigate the environmental impact of their consumption while also maximizing economic benefits,” writes Sellers.
To read the article in full, click here.