Happy September! Autumn is right around the corner, and we have an exciting lineup for you as we move into fall. We welcome you to save the date for our premier energy efficiency home tour, explore data center energy usage in our next Green Energy Series webinar, and check out the NEW series website. Plus, discover upcoming clean energy events, learn the basics of solar and battery storage, and read an Oregonians experience going solar in this month's solar spotlight. We hope to see you at some or all of these great events! 🍂

Join us on Saturday, October 3rd to...

• Tour sustainable homes in Portland and Salem
• View solar and battery systems, heat pumps, EVs, and more!
• Meet the homeowners and builders and hear their experiences
• Discover the value that energy efficiency provides!
• This event is FREE and open to all

This year's event includes:

• Four open-house tours in Portland's Rose City Park Neighborhood
• One open-house tour in Salem
• Happy Hour at Hi Top on Fremont Street in Portland featuring free food, fun company, and videos of six other net-zero homes across the state!

Please RSVP to save your spot and receive information as it is made available.

This event is a part of Sustainable Building Week and made possible with support of our sponsors including the Energy Trust of Oregon.



Join us on Saturday, September 5th for a Green Energy Series webinar exploring data centers and their energy usage. Speaker Edward Louie will break down energy used by data centers as a whole, how much is used in computation versus cooling, and how computational work loads impact grid peaks.

The Green Energy Series is a monthly webinar exploring solar energy, energy storage, and energy-efficient equipment and design.

Thinking about going solar? Join Solar Oregon alongside the Sierra Club Oregon Chapter for a free webinar to learn the foundational solar + storage information you need to confidently take those first steps for your home or small business. We will answer your questions about how grid-tied solar energy and battery systems work, share information about available incentives that save you money. Please RSVP to receive the webinar link.



Solar alone doesn't keep the lights on when the grid is down. Join Solar Oregon on Wednesday, September 23rd, to explore how to build resiliency in your home using solar and storage. Specs and photos of real home solar and storage systems will provide an up-close look, and we will end with time for Q and A. This event is free and open to everyone. Please RSVP.

These events are made possible with support from Energy Trust of Oregon.



Going Solar: Success Stories

Chad Jendsen’s transition to solar energy highlights how state and regional incentives can tip the scale in favor of clean power over traditional backup solutions. After experiencing a severe winter storm that left them without electricity for days, his family initially debated between installing a natural gas generator, which promised a continuous supply, and going with a battery-backed solar setup.

The deciding factor ultimately came down to financial and environmental benefits. Thanks to Energy Trust of Oregon incentives, solar paired with battery storage proved significantly more cost-effective than a natural gas generator. Chad additionally used ETO's trade ally bid form, which resulted in three bids for comparison from vetted and trusted trade ally contractors.

Since making the switch, the financial impact has been immediate, reducing their monthly power obligation down to just the base meter charge. Monitoring energy production and consumption through a mobile app has driven greater awareness of household energy use, leading to reduced overall consumption and a more efficient daily routine.

"My experience with solar has been incredibly rewarding and well worth the investment. Going solar allows me to produce clean, renewable energy. It also provides some protection from rising electricity rates. This experience has led me to being more mindful of energy consumption habits."

- Chad Jendsen

By spotlighting success stories like this, we hope to make solar energy more approachable and inspire Oregonians to take the next step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Lake Oswego Clean Energy and EV Fair

September 19th from 10 am - 2 pm

Test drive an EV, sample pancakes cooked on induction hot plates, and enter our raffle for a Stihl battery-powered leaf blower! Connect with over 20 local EV owners, chat with experts about solar, heat pumps, and quiet electric tools, and score exclusive exhibitor discounts just for dropping by.

Sustainable Building Week 2026

October 5th - 9th, 2026

A week-long celebration of sustainable design, construction, and policy in the Portland region. Through educational sessions, tours, and networking opportunities, SBW connects built-environment professionals to accelerate a more sustainable future.



"After taking 10 years to reach the first terawatt of solar power, and less than three years to add a second, the world reached the 3-terawatt threshold in 2026 in less than two years."

- Akshat Rathi -Bloomberg Journalist

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