An unusual clean energy project in Southern Oregon is nearly ready to start delivering power in a way Oregon has never seen before.
Oregon's first floating solar array is close to going live, promising lower utility bills for local residents and helping conserve precious water.
What happened?
According to Oregon News Service, Medford Irrigation District reservoir in Southern Oregon now hosts more than 1,700 solar panels mounted on floating platforms. The installation is intended to trim energy costs for the district, the city government, and about 60 households in Jackson County.
Before it begins operating at full capacity, the array, part of Oregon's Community Solar Program, is finishing its last stage of testing. Farmers Conservation Alliance executive director Julie O'Shea said the project should be fully operational soon.
Crushed by your bills? See instant solar savings from vetted installers in just a few clicks With energy prices through the roof, there's never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area. EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy. |
Why does it matter?
Switching to solar is one of the best ways to save on energy bills. If you're looking to install solar, EnergySage offers free tools to get quick estimates and quotes from local installers.
ONS noted that the project tackles two costly challenges at once: rising electricity bills and water loss. O'Shea said the floating panels will curb evaporation from the reservoir and conserve more than 1.5 million gallons of water each year in a region where drought resilience is increasingly important.
Community solar also opens the door to cheaper power for people who cannot buy rooftop panels of their own. Kyle Petrocine, program manager at the Energy Trust of Oregon, told ONS, "It really enables access to the benefits of solar power for renters or maybe somebody who doesn't have the means to invest in their own rooftop solar."
Petrocine added that low-income subscribers may qualify for reduced subscription rates and save as much as 40% on their power bills.
What's being done?
People across Oregon can enroll online in community solar projects, pay a subscription fee, and then receive credits on their utility bills.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. EnergySage's free tools can provide you with information about home battery storage options and installation estimates.
You can also pair solar panels with efficient electric appliances to drive your utility costs even lower. That combination can help you get the right system for your home and budget while saving massively on energy bills.
EnergySage's mapping tool allows you to see the average cost of a home solar system in your area, as well as potential state-level incentives offered. With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations.
More From EnergySage
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
O'Shea summed up the project's potential: "It's helping people save money on energy bills, which is so critical right now, and at the same time, help generate revenue for the irrigation district, to help their modernization goals to be able to be more drought-resilient."
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
