Bringing Community Solar to Portland: The ReBuilding Center Project

Not everyone who wants to go solar can put panels on their roof. Maybe you rent, maybe your roof does not get enough sun, or maybe a rooftop system is not the right fit for your budget right now. That is exactly the gap community solar is designed to fill, and we are proud to share a project that brings it to life right here in Portland.

Earlier this year, the ReBuilding Center completed the installation of a new rooftop solar array across its warehouse and lumberyard in North Portland. Elemental Energy was proud to serve as a development partner on this project, which will generate clean, renewable energy and help reduce electricity costs for approximately 50 income-qualified Pacific Power households once the system comes online this fall.

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A Project Built on Partnership

This project reflects what becomes possible when organizations come together around a shared goal. It was made possible through funding from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) and developed in partnership with Elemental Energy, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and Pacific Power.

For the ReBuilding Center, an organization long known for its work in building-material reuse, this project expands its mission by making clean, affordable energy accessible to more community members. For Elemental Energy, it reflects something we have believed since 2010: that the benefits of solar should reach as many people as possible, not just those with the right roof or the right budget.

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What Is Community Solar?

Community solar is a simple idea with a meaningful impact. Instead of installing panels on your own home, you subscribe to a share of a larger, off-site solar project. That project generates clean energy for the grid, and you receive credits on your electric bill for your portion of the energy produced.

Here is how it works:

You sign up as a subscriber to a local solar project. The project generates clean, renewable energy for the utility grid. You receive a bill credit for your share of that energy and pay a subscription fee on your monthly utility bill. For most subscribers, the credit covers the subscription fee and saves money on annual electricity costs.

For households that meet low-income guidelines, the benefits are even stronger, including no upfront costs, no termination fees, subscription discounts, and guaranteed savings on your energy bill.

The best part is that you do not need to own a home, have a sunny roof, or invest in an installation to participate. Community solar opens the door to clean energy for people who have historically been left out of the rooftop solar conversation.

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Who Can Participate?

To subscribe to the ReBuilding Center community solar project, you must:

• Live in Portland
• Be a Pacific Power customer
• Qualify as low-income, defined as a household income at or below 80% of the State Median Income

Eligibility is confirmed through self-attestation. Subscriptions are limited to approximately 50 households and filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so eligible customers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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How to Enroll

Enrollment is open now and handled through Bonneville Environmental Foundation, the community solar program manager for this project. You can join the waitlist and, if you qualify, BEF will match you to the ReBuilding Center project.

Join the community solar waitlist here

If you have questions about eligibility or the enrollment process, you can reach BEF's community solar team directly at communitysolar@b-e-f.org.

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More Community Solar Options Across Oregon

The ReBuilding Center is one of several community solar projects available through Bonneville Environmental Foundation. If you are a Portland General Electric customer rather than Pacific Power, or if the ReBuilding Center project reaches capacity, BEF has additional Oregon projects that may be a fit.

Both PGE and Pacific Power customers in Oregon are eligible to participate in community solar through the broader program, so it is worth joining the waitlist to see what you qualify for.

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Why This Matters to Us

At Elemental Energy, our work has always been about more than installing solar panels. Since 2010, we have helped Oregon and Washington homeowners access clean energy, and projects like this one let us extend that mission to members of our community who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

Partnering on the ReBuilding Center project reflects who we are: a locally owned company committed to making clean energy work for everyone, not just for homes with the sunniest roofs.

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Interested in Solar for Your Own Home?

If you own your home and are exploring rooftop solar, our team is here to help. Schedule your free site evaluation, and we will walk you through your options, available incentives, and whether rooftop solar is the right fit for your home.

You can also learn more about how our process works or explore current Oregon solar incentives.

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The Oregon Community Solar Program is a state-enabled initiative overseen by the Oregon Public Utility Commission. Program availability, eligibility requirements, and subscription details are managed by the program and its certified project managers and are subject to change. For current information, contact Bonneville Environmental Foundation.