Project could power at least 18 households; signups due by Tuesday, Nov. 19
By Isobel Whitcomb, Ashland Climate Collaborative
Solar power plays a key role in Ashland’s plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050 — but right now, it generates just 5% of Ashland’s electricity. The local nonprofit Ashland Solar Cooperative aims to increase access to this renewable energy source by installing community solar projects.
Now, with the help of True South Solar, they’re building their first solar array, which will provide enough energy for at least 18 households participating via an annual subscription. Construction on the project begins next week and power could start flowing as soon as mid-December.
“With our program, you don’t have to have the right roof. You could be a renter. The only requirement is that you have to pay an Ashland electric bill,” said Ashland Solar Cooperative Board President Jim Hartman.
Community members who want to purchase electricity from the project pay up-front for a year of power. How much electricity they want to receive is up to them — the minimum is 3,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year, or about 25 percent of an average household’s energy use.
Throughout the year, that amount is then deducted from their energy bills. The average member buying enough solar power to cover 100 percent of their energy needs can expect to spend about $1,200 up-front, but that number can vary widely, depending on a home’s electrical needs, Hartman said.
Ten percent of the power produced from this project is reserved for low-income households, who are eligible to receive up to 500 kWh/month of electricity at no cost. That translates to savings of approximately $600 per year.
Most members, however, will save just a little, Hartman said — around 5% of their usual electric bill. Although these savings are minimal, there are other good reasons for community members to power their homes with local solar power.
Most of Ashland’s power comes from the Bonneville Power Administration’s hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River. But in the state of Oregon overall, just over a third of energy comes from hydroelectric power, while half of the state’s power comes from fossil fuels like coal and “natural” gas (methane).
“Each kilowatt of local renewable generation puts a kilowatt of BPA electricity back on the grid to displace fossil fuels,” Hartman said. “It’s good for addressing climate change, it’s good for local resiliency.”
Ashland Solar Cooperative was founded in 2019 by Brad Roupp, Jeff Sharpe, and Tomas Endicott. This first project was made possible by a grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program, which is financing half the cost of the installation.
The rest of the cost is funded by a $30,000 grant from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a $106,000 federal tax credit, and loans from generous community members.
Ashland Solar Cooperative is still seeking community members to receive power from this first solar project. Those interested can contact Jim Hartman by email JimHartmancc@gmail.com.
In addition to the up-front cost of solar power, there is a one-time joining fee of $100. To meet city deadlines, members need to sign up by Tuesday, Nov. 19.
More information is available on the Ashland Solar Cooperative website: ashland-solar.coop.
Isobel Whitcomb is a development assistant at the Ashland Climate Collaborative (ashlandclimate.org).
