Saturday, November 7, 2009

New Energy Trust of Oregon Rebate

As of November 9th, 2009, the Energy Trust of Oregon will drop the rebate for Pacificorp customers from $2.00/watt to $1.50/watt. This is in response to solar products price reductions and other market trends in the industry. Only an Energy Trust Trade Ally as well as a Tax Credit Certified Technician with the Oregon Department of Energy can qualify your solar project for all current rebates as well as State and Federal tax credits. An electrical contractor is the only entity licensed in the State of Oregon to make the solar installation which is why Ridgeline Electric and Design is the only fully certified and licensed electrical solar contractor on the Columbia River Gorge where the designer is also the installer!

I'm passing the savings in solar equipment purchases directly to my customers. I have already re-tooled signed solar contracts for next spring saving my clients hundreds in installation costs. Give me a call and reserve your solar install for the Spring of 2010 before all the slots are filled!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Official Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2009
Contact: Richard Lee, (541) 490-9771

SOLAR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
FIRST IN THE GORGE
HOOD RIVER, Oregon – Homeowners and businesses in the Columbia River Gorge now have access to solar electric installation services through the first-ever electrical contractor to be licensed in the Gorge. This means homeowners and business owners only need to work with one person to both design and install their solar system – and gain access to all the tax incentives and rebates currently available.
Richard Lee, a licensed electrical contractor who owns Ridgeline Electric & Design in Hood River, Oregon, recently received extensive training in solar installations and gained certification as a Tax Credit Certified Technician with the Oregon Department of Energy and as a Trade Ally of Energy Trust of Oregon. This means Lee is licensed and certified to both design and install solar systems for homeowners, businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

“With Ridgeline Electric & Design, the designer is also the installer,” Lee explained. “With other solar services available, a separate electrician has to be brought in to install the equipment – generally one who is not familiar with the design or set up of the solar system. With the certifications I’ve gained, homeowners and business owners can be assured their system is not only being designed, but is also being installed, by somebody who has solar-specific experience and certifications.”

Oregon currently boasts some of the most progressive and aggressive incentives in the country for solar electric installations. With the certifications noted above, Lee can qualify homeowners and business owners for all the available rebates and tax credits.

Solar energy has long been an available option for alternative energy but in the past, the high price and length of the payoff has deterred many homeowners and business owners from considering solar energy for their properties. With some of the recent changes in legislation and programs in Oregon, solar electric systems have now become very affordable for homeowners. For example, an $18,000 installed solar array would cost $3,800 with all rebates, state and federal tax credits now available through Ridgeline Electric & Design. For a business installation, the incentives are even more aggressive, with a $400,000 system costing the business owner only $33,000 after all rebates and tax credits.

“There is no better time for Oregon homeowners and businesses to consider solar energy,” Lee said. “Oregon has some of the best incentives available and these systems are now very affordable and have a short-term payoff in terms of savings on your annual energy bill. For businesses, there’s also a significant tax advantage. ”
As Lee said, in addition to the low cost of installation, today’s solar electric systems provide significant cost savings on monthly energy bills. In fact, Lee is currently working on an electrical and solar electric installation for a new home in Hood River that has the potential to be an “energy-neutral” home. The electrical lighting design in conjunction with the solar installation, both designed by Lee, as well as Energy Star appliances have the potential to make this happen.

Lee uses the latest in technology to analyze a homeowner’s or business’s site for eligibility and can tell owners after the initial assessment what they can expect to see in terms of energy production and cost savings from a solar electric system. Lee provides an initial consultation to homeowners and businesses at no cost. Lee also provides lighting analysis of existing homes and commercial spaces to determine what costs savings would be if more energy efficient lighting were installed.

“What most people don’t realize is there’s a lot they can do with their current set up to save on energy costs – just by retrofitting energy efficient lighting and controls, there’s more to it than just replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents” Lee explained. “If you add on top of that, a solar electric system that generates energy, the cost savings and energy use reduction is very significant.”

Monday, August 31, 2009

Solar in Oregon

Oregon presents a uniquely suited as well as practical environment for utilizing solar electricity. Solar modules operate at their peak under ample solar irradiation (sun light) and cool to moderate outdoor temperatures. An ideal installation is one that has a south facing roof with a slope of 32 degrees and an unshaded sky between the hours of 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Ask me about a detailed site analysis for your location to determine if a solar array is right for you. This analysis will detail shading throughout the year, the azimuth, tilt and orientation of a proposed array, and expected output on a month to month basis.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Welcome!

Welcome to my web site! I offer a range of services from electrical contracting to lighting design to solar electric design and installation. Check out the site for more information or feel free to give me a call with any questions you may have at 541-490-9771. I'll be posting information related to these industries and how you may be able to take advantage in your home or business!