The city of Portland is undergoing a solar boom as hundreds of homeowners join forces to solarize their homes.
What started last year in Southeast with just over a hundred homeowners has grown to include more than 1,000 Portland residents wanting to go solar.
The Solarize Portland Project has helped homeowners like Roxanne Nelson cut their electricity bills by an average of two-thirds.
And at times, when the sun is shining, Nelson's meter shows she's actually giving energy back to the grid.
The project brings neighbors together to buy the solar panels in bulk at a big discount, and that's just the start of their savings.
"Right now 80 percent of the cost of the system can be covered between Energy Trust incentives, state and federal tax credits so really financially there’s never been a better time to take action," said Lizzie Rubado of Oregon Energy Trust.
According to Energy Trust, in 2008 38 Portland homes installed solar panels. In 2008 that number more than tripled to 123 homes. This year the number of solar panel installations is projected to easily surpass 500.
"That's just the city of Portland the rest of the state is booming as well ... solar is hot, hot, hot," said Rubado.
Even if your neighborhood isn't taking part in a solar project, there are still resources available for you to "go solar" on your own.
Contacting Energy Trust of Oregon is a good first step. You could qualify for free solar assessment.
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