Friday, September 28, 2012

Incentives available for residential (and commercial) solar projects!

Incentives for residential solar projects are once again part of the many tools offered to CEC homeowners to make becoming energy efficient even easier and more affordable. Any home that has had an energy assessment and has completed all of the recommended weatherization measures in Tier 1-3 is eligible for cash incentives to install solar panels with one of the CEC's vetted local solar installers. Approved projects will receive $1/watt up to $3,000 total for the project.

The CEC also continues to offer a low-interest rate financing opportunity through Banner Bank. In many cases energy savings and incentives can cover the loan payment, making this an attractive way to finance a solar project.

If you are interested in installing solar panels on your home or business, or would like more information, contact the Community Energy Challenge at 360-676-6099.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Low-interest loan opportunity available for CEC participants

Making energy efficiency easy and affordable is the mission of the Community Energy Challenge (CEC). By providing local homes and businesses with a One-Stop-Shop for energy assessments, personalized recommendations, energy advisors, vetted local contractors, quality assurance, and financial incentives, the CEC has helped over 400 homes and 200 businesses in Whatcom County save energy and money. Thanks to a public/private partnership between Banner Bank, Whatcom County and the Cities of Bellingham and Ferndale, one of the most innovative tools the CEC offers is a first-of its-kind low interest rate loan program for participants.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

National solar tour kicks off in Bellingham, and the CEC will be there

The tour will kick off at Itek Energy and the Community Energy Challenge will be there. Come down and see us and learn more about solar technology and how it can work for you. Itek provided us with this information about the event:


On October 6th the American Solar Energy Society’s (ASES) national solar tour is coming to Bellingham.  Bringing together installers, manufactures and system owners alike the Bellingham solar tour is your chance to explore the potential of solar energy here in the Northwest. Starting the day’s festivities at 9 am will be an opportunity to tour the facility of Bellingham’s newest addition to the renewable industry by walking around Itek Energy solar panel manufacturing plant. Join us for some coffee and a bit to eat while exploring the process of solar manufacturing. You will also have an opportunity to meet with local installers, Ecotech, Western Solar and Advanced Solar Energy LLC, as well as other energy efficiency professionals and representatives from the Community Energy Challenge, a local program that helps home and business owners access financial incentives and low-interest loans for energy efficiency projects, including solar. After discussing potential sites with local installers attendees will then have the opportunity to travel to the individual sites around Bellingham and discuss with system owners how solar has worked for them until 4 pm. With sites ranging from the North Fork Brewery to the Bellingham Coop, the adaptability and diversity of solar will be a highlight of this year’s tour. For more information regarding this year’s Bellingham tour, feel free to visit http://solarwa.org/2012tour/sites/bellingham.