North and Northwest Portland area homeowners can join hundreds of Portland households controlling their energy costs by investing in solar electricity. And, they now have a helping hand to guide them through the steps of a home installation. Solarize Northwest and Solarize North Portland are two new grassroots, community-based projects coordinated by Neighbors West-Northwest and North Portland Neighborhood Services.

Free workshops makes going solar easy and affordable

Solarize Portland neighborhood projects are designed to simplify the process of going solar and bring cost reductions through volume purchasing. Free workshops make the process easy to understand by covering topics such as the size of system to purchase, budgeting and financing, and how to get started.

• View the schedule of free workshops in Northwest: www.solarizenorth-nw.org/workshops

• View the schedule of free workshops in North Portland: www.solarizenorth-nw.org/workshops-north

• Online enrollment for both group purchase projects is now open at www.solarizenorth-nw.org and closes March 31, 2011.

Solarize Northwest

Introductory Workshop
Saturday, March 5

10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Legacy Good Samaritan, Building 2
1015 NW 22nd Ave

Solarize North Portland

Introductory Workshop
Tuesday, March 29

6:30 - 8 p.m.
Kenton Firehouse
8105 N Brandon Ave

The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and the nonprofit organization Energy Trust of Oregon are working together to support the launch of Solarize Northwest and North Portland, and can help any Portland neighborhood associations or groups interested in operating Solarize projects. For these two projects, the City of Portland is providing strategic assistance and coordination, and Energy Trust is providing technical assistance and cash incentives to help lower the upfront cost of the solar electric systems. Also, Solar Oregon is offering educational workshops and providing database services.

In addition, any Portland homeowner or business can call our Solar Energy team at 503.823.7581, for free technical assistance when considering a solar installation.