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Today, the Oregon Solar Code Committee meets in Salem, OR, to hold its latest public hearing on the statewide Solar Code it is developing. The implementation of this statewide code as it has been written thus far can have devastating effects on the growth of the residential solar market. 

Committee members claim to represent not only the firefighters but also solar industry installers as a whole. This is not reflected in the profiles of those appointed to the committee. The members mostly represent large, commercial-sized installation interests, not the Energy Trust Trade Allies. According to the ETO, 80% + solar incentives applications received were for systems smaller than 10 kW. Most residential installers are challenged to install systems larger than 3 kW due to shading issues and lack of rooftop capacity.

If the code passes as presently written, with rules that severely restrict rooftop capacity, Oregon's role as a "leading solar manufacturer" and "green jobs" supporter would be greatly compromised. Additionally, this would be detrimental to the success of the feed-in-tariff pilot program. If Oregon is to see continued growth in "green jobs", meet state renewable energy portfolio mandates, and make real progress toward developing sustainable, domestic renewable power sources, this proposed statewide solar code would turn back the clock on progress we as Oregonians have been so proud to talk about. Oregon already suffers from a black eye as regards the BETC. The local solar industry cannot afford to lose ground if it is to be truly viable for residential homeowners and taxpayers, not just large commercial interests.

The committee chair at the last public hearing stated that this would be the first statewide solar code of its kind, that other states are looking to see what OR does in hopes of modeling their own statewide codes. In the same breath, the chair justifies the firefighter access restrictions with the statement that "This is what CA is doing." This is not California, and we cannot afford to inherit their fight. Please look into this. 

Thank you!

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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