Residents and businesses within 60-mile radius need to register by May 19 for lottery

PENDLETON, Ore., April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 100 homeowners, businesses and other organizations within 60 miles of Pendleton have signed up for free solar site assessments through the city-sponsored Solarize Pendleton effort.  The program combines a group purchase with financial incentives to drop the sticker price of a solar system by an average of 80 percent. Interested residents must sign up before May 19 to be eligible to win one of 50 zero-interest project loans.

City leaders of this town of 15,500 have created the group-discount program to help more people switch to solar electric power and potentially make Pendleton one of the most-solar rural U.S. communities. Solarize Pendleton enables participants to readily take advantage of group discount pricing as well as state and federal incentives and tax credits. With incentives, the program lowers the price of a high-quality residential solar system to around $1,230.

Solarize Pendleton project leaders have offered the extra incentive of 50 zero-interest loans. They say although those loans are limited in number, there is no limit to the number of residents within 60 miles of Pendleton who can take advantage of the program. According to solar analysts, homeowners cut their utility bills by about a third by using solar photovoltaic systems and further protect themselves from utility rate increases.

Free workshops on financial and other benefits of solar systems will take place through June 4, the last day to register for the program. Winners of the zero-interest loans will be drawn in a lottery on May 21. A no-obligation registration form is required for participation. Details and forms are available at solarizependleton.com or by contacting Lee Jorgensen at the City of Pendleton (541.966.0248 or lee.jorgensen@ci.pendleton.or.us).

Solar site assessments and installation will be done by LiveLight Energy of Beaverton, Ore., using SolarWorld Sunkits®.  SolarWorld, with U.S. headquarters and manufacturing in Hillsboro, Ore., is the largest U.S. manufacturer of solar technology. Oregon vendors will supply other system components. LiveLight Energy is working with local subcontractors Gordon's Electric and Palmer Roofing, hiring additional skilled local technicians and offering paid opportunities to mentor and train other Pendleton residents in solar installation.

Program information or interviews: Please contact Mara Woloshin at 503.310.4504 or mara@woloshin.com or Lee Jorgensen at the City of Pendleton, 541.966.0248 or lee.jorgensen@ci.pendleton.or.us.

SOURCE LiveLight Energy

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