SustainableCreekside.org

In early January we sent out a mailer to all Creekside residents to let them know about the this web site and encourage participation and feedback. The mailer resulted in a bunch of votes on the solar poll (on the left side-bar) and many new e-mail subscriptions to the site and e-mail feedback. Here is a summary of what we learned from the resident feedback:

1. Creekside residents are supportive of solar power: Granted that not everyone in Creekside has voted in the poll but we feel that we have a significant sampling of Creekside residents voting.
2. Request for the Creekside mailing list: Our mailing list was developed from public tax records available at the Marion County Assessors web site. Since the Creekside HOA does not share the Creekside Mailing list we will be making the public version available on this website.
3. Issues other than solar power: Creekside residents tell us they have other issues they are concerned about in addition to solar power such as: Wind power, grass requirements, Wacky fence aesthetic priorities which encourages chain-link fences but prohibits wood no matter how elegant the wood fence is.
4. Many would prefer to remain anonymous. As a result we’ve added the Discussion page that allows feedback and discussion on any subject where the commenter can remain anonymous.

I recently ran across this youtube video of John Forbes of Superior Colorado explaining the story of how his Rock Creek HOA took a year to approve his solar installation because they didn’t have architectural guidelines for solar installations. Colorado is one of the states that has a solar law similar to Oregon’s that prevents HOAs from banning solar installations yet allows HOAs to have installation guidelines.

After a year of delaying, John had to threaten legal action before the Rock Creek HOA would approve his solar installation. There are a remarkable number of similarities between John Forbes situation and the current solar installation hold up that we have here in Creekside. However, in the John Forbes case the Rock Creek HOA never broke the law since, as John describes, they knew about the Colorado law that prohibits banning solar installations, so they didn’t take any disapproval action. Whereas the Creekside HOA broke the Oregon law when they disapproved my solar installation request and cited the reason that “the panels are not permitted by the Creekside CC&Rs“. Oregon State Law ORS 105.880 does not allow CC&Rs to ban solar panels.

A recent article in the Eugene Register Guard described the growth of the solar power industry in the Willamette Valley.

There are currently seven facilities, from Portland to Eugene, producing everything from silicon ingots and wafers to solar cells to inverters.

These facilities employ about 700 people, with plans to expand to over 2700 in the period 2010-2011.  This means at least 2000 Valley residents currently work in or serve/supply this industry and  within two years that figure will jump to over 8000.

In addition, the article indicates the (disclosed) investments made, or to be made, in these plants and facilities exceeds $700 million.

Another way to look at how green solar power can make our valley is the home owner’s investment when installing a photovoltaic system.  We recently received a proposal to install a 2.5kW PV system for $17,500.  After figuring in the Energy Trust cash incentive and the federal and state tax credits which can be taken, the net investment in this system will be only $3188.  Our estimated savings in electricity costs results in a payback of a bit over 14 years.  In addition, data is beginning to come in indicating that solar power installed on a home increases its value and resale price (more on this in another article).  Put together, that’s a lot of green to get by being green!

As Burt reports in his reporting from the 12/9/2009 HOA meeting, the HOA board chartered a Ad Hoc Solar guidelines committee, lead by Don Wildfang, the new Chairman of the Creekside, Architectural Review Committee (ARC), to recommend a set of solar guidelines to the HOA board. As of today (Jan 5, 2010) there hasn’t even been a first Ad Hoc Solar guidelines committee meeting scheduled. Continue Reading »

A report from renewable energy advocates says Oregon is among the best states for regulations that encourage distributed renewable energy, like residential solar panels.

Read the whole article at: http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2009/11/report_gives_oregon_high_marks.html

A recent article in the in the LA Times reports that even though California and the federal government encourage solar power, homeowners often have to fight homeowners associations for their right to install the systems.

“… solar advocates are pushing for a federal version of the California law. Energy legislation that moved through the House earlier this year included a provision that would make it illegal for HOA rules, leases or private contracts to prohibit the installation of solar systems”.

Read the whole article at: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-solar-panels30-2009nov30,0,5567208.story?page=1

Dow Chemical Company, Oct. 5, 2009

Solar shingle are just that: shingles similar to roofing shingles on most homes. Except these shingles are photovoltaic and produce electricity, like solar panels.

While solar shingles (versus panels) have been around for awhile, there does not appear to be many if any big-name manufacturers producing them.

Enter Dow Chemical.

In October of this year, Dow unveiled its “Powerhouse” Solar Shingles, which can be integrated into a home’s array of asphalt roofing shingles. Dow anticipates having a limited supply available in 2010, with a larger supply coming in 2011.

Dow has invested $50 million in a photovoltaic facility at the company’s 1,900-acre complex in Michigan, a sign that big players like Dow recognize that solar is here to stay….. and is a good business move from an industry’s perspective.

So what does this mean for consumers? Continue Reading »

The purpose of this post is to ‘Let the Sun Shine’ on the process of getting solar projects (photovoltaic (PV) and hot water) approved at Creekside.

First some facts:

• In mid-October the HOA Board acknowledged Oregon law prevents an HOA from banning solar energy projects.
• We agreed with the Board that reasonable guidelines should be developed and adopted for the purpose of governing such installations.
• Within 2 weeks a set of proposed guidelines was delivered to the Board and CMI.  Click here to view proposed Creekside Solar Guidelines
• At the 11/11 Board meeting we were informed the new Board would first begin consideration and discussion of the guidelines at the 12/9 Board meeting.
• The 12/9 Board meeting resulted in the creation of an ad hoc committee.  This committee is comprised of the current and former ARC chairs, a current ARC member and two of the Creekside residents involved with this website.  It is charged with forwarding a set of solar guidelines for Board approval.   To date, the first meeting of this committee has not been scheduled……..stay tuned for updates.
• It is now New Year’s Eve and still no word from the committee’s Board member scheduling the first meeting of the ad hoc committee.
• We are six days into 2010 and still no communication……wondering if this committee will ever meet
• On 1/14/10 the ad hoc committee on solar guidelines finally met…..one day after the January HOA Board meeting. The guidelines we proposed back in October were reviewed and several changes were discussed. We agreed to continue discussions via e-mail as several committee members had travel plans in the coming week.

Approval and circulation of the guidelines is THE roadblock to Creekside residents submitting plans for solar energy installations and gaining approval of such plans.  While we support the Board’s intention to carefully review and consider these proposed guidelines we also believe time is of the essence because unnecessary delays in moving forward place Creekside residents interested in pursuing investments in solar energy projects at a potential disadvantage. Specifically: Continue Reading »

In early 2009 my wife and I decided that we wanted to start moving towards the use of renewable energy. These days there are more and more motivations to take renewable seriously. At the time our biggest motivation was to support the use of clean, renewable energy.

So, after attending the Solar Expo in Portland in May I found a solar installer and started moving towards the installation of a 3000 watt solar photo voltaic installation. Since our HOA (Creekside in Salem) requires approval for all home modification projects I submitted the plan to the HOA for approval. Much to my surprise the HOA said, “no, the CC&Rs don’t allow solar panels”. Continue Reading »