Energy Trust expands programs.Byline: The Register-Guard The Energy Trust of Oregon Oregon, city, United States Oregon, city (1990 pop. 18,334), Lucas co., NW Ohio, a suburb adjacent to Toledo, on Lake Erie; inc. 1958. It is a port with railroad-owned and -operated docks. The city has industries producing oil, chemicals, and metal products. has added natural gas and solar energy solar energy, any form of energy radiated by the sun, including light, radio waves, and X rays, although the term usually refers to the visible light of the sun. to its portfolio of energy efficiency programs and incentives for Oregon customers of Pacific Power, Portland General Electric This article is not to be confused with PG&E, a San Francisco, California-based utility company Portland General Electric (PGE) (NYSE: POR) is an electrical utility, formerly owned by the Houston-based Enron Corporation (but now independent), that distributes electricity to and NW Natural. The new programs are meant to provide more convenient ways for residential customers and business owners to save money and energy. NW Natural residential customers became eligible for added incentives and expanded programs July 1. Solar electric and hot water programs started in May. Cash incentives are available for insulation insulation (ĭn'səlā`shən, ĭn'sy  –), use of materials or devices to inhibit or prevent the conduction of heat or of electricity. , thermal windows and
the sealing of ducts in homes with gas or electric heat. Incentives for
gas customers are higher than those previously offered.
Funding comes from a small public purpose charge on monthly gas bills. The Energy Trust also offers substantial financial incentives and support for solar energy installations. Combined with the state energy tax credit, these incentives cut the system cost by as much as 40 percent. The organization expects to achieve a 50 percent increase in the number of solar electric systems in Oregon within a year. The Energy Trust offers up to $7,000 for homeowners and up to $20,000 for businesses for approved systems. Once installed, solar electric systems can save 15 percent or more on a monthly power bill. Under a state law requiring "net metering Net metering is a electricity policy for consumers who own, generally small, renewable energy facilities, such as wind or solar power, or uses vehicle-to-grid systems. "Net", in this context, is used in the sense of meaning "what remains after deductions" -- in this case, the ," solar energy generated but not consumed con·sume v. con·sumed, con·sum·ing, con·sumes v.tr. 1. To take in as food; eat or drink up. See Synonyms at eat. 2. a. is passed to the local utility and used to supplement the local power supply. The value of the unused power is then credited back to the owner, causing the meter to run backward. A homeowner can save about $150 a year by replacing an electric hot water heater with a solar system solar system, the sun and the surrounding planets, natural satellites, dwarf planets, asteroids, meteoroids, and comets that are bound by its gravity. The sun is by far the most massive part of the solar system, containing almost 99.9% of the system's total mass. . Savings for replacing gas water heaters are somewhat less. For an average residential system, the Energy Trust incentive is about $750. The state tax credit for a similar system averages an additional $1,500. For more information, visit www.energytrust.org or call (866) 368-7878. |
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