Sherman County Announces Zero Interest Loan Program for Solar!

Hire Electric has done five solar project in Sherman County to date and we are very excited about the county’s new loan program. Incentives in the form of state and federal tax credits help to pay for the cost of going solar but sometimes the upfront cost for the system (while you’re waiting for the tax credits to come through) can be a roadblock. This loan program will help cover these upfront costs.

The first step in qualifying for a loan from the county is to have a site assessment of your home or business’s solar potential done by a local solar installer. Hire Electric offers free phone and computer consultation to determine if you have a good site. If you’re a good candidate for solar we then charge $150 for a complete site analysis (our normal site analysis fee is $250 but we are offering this reduced rate to Sherman County residents through the end of October).  We evaluate your electrical connection, shading, optimal layout, incentives available, etc. We will also do all of the paperwork for your loan application, Oregon Residential Tax Credit Certification and Energy Trust of Oregon Incentive approval. The $150 solar analysis fee is deducted from your purchase price if you move forward.

At this time wind systems are not part of the loan program.

Come find out more at the solar ribbon cutting on August 14th at the RV Park in Moro – by the fairgrounds.

Now is the time to go solar flier with sample system prices and payback.

From MCEDD newsletter:

Sherman Solar Loan Program

Sherman County has a loan program to promote the deployment of solar electric and hot water systems on homes in the County.  Modeled after the City of Pendleton’s successful program, the County will provide no-interest, short-term loans to residents. The loan amounts will match what a property owner could receive in state and federal tax credits in 2012 to help finance the gap between the last payment to the contractor and when they receive their tax credits. Loans are available for both Pacific Power and Wasco Electric customers and for both solar electric and solar water heating systems. More information about the program can be found on the County’s website at www.co.sherman.or.us or contact Jessica Metta with questions at 541-296-2266 or Jessica@mcedd.org. MCEDD provides staffing to Sherman County for economic development activies. For more information contact Jesscia Metta 541-296-2266.