SOLAR CO-OP

AND they have a GREAT Shakespeare festival.

Ore. City To Offer Shares In Solar System
May 29, 2007 (UPI)

WHO
Ashland, Oregon, city council (City Electric/Telecommunications Director Dick Wanderscheid)
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WHAT
The city of Ashland will sell bonds and institute a tax credit to finance a solar energy system in which residents could buy shares through utility bill payments.

WHEN
- The financing plan was recently approved. The solar installation will soon proceed.
- Pending city council approval, the solar array can be online by summer, 2007.

WHERE
- Ashland, Oregon, a charming little town just north of the California border.
- The solar system will be installed on the roof of a city storage building.

WHY
- Financing: $500,000 in clean renewable energy bonds; $300,000 from state business energy tax credits. 375 $1000 shares.
- City residents buy 10 shares each by paying $8.50/month on utility bills for 10 years and, in return, get credit on bill for electricity produced by the solar installation.
- System: 130,000 kilowatt hours/year = 0.75% of city needs.

QUOTES
“Ashland residents proved to be strong supporters of solar energy, buying shares when the city put up solar arrays on other city-owned buildings -- Southern Oregon University and Oregon Shakespeare Festival. But if enough residents don't buy into the new system, City Electric and Telecommunications Director Dick Wanderscheid asked that the city be the default purchaser of the shares.”