(Inspired by research featured in PV Magazine USA, October 2025)

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For Portland homeowners, solar energy is more than a personal investment. It is part of a growing movement toward local resilience and cleaner power. Research from Stanford University, featured in PV Magazine USA, highlights how small, “behind the meter” solar systems on homes, schools, and local businesses create benefits that reach far beyond a single property.

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At Elemental Energy, we see those benefits every day. Since 2010, our team has helped families and businesses across the Portland area produce their own power, support grid reliability, and strengthen their communities.

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What “Behind the Meter” Solar Really Means

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When you install solar panels on your home, the electricity they produce is used right where it is generated. Any extra power flows back to the grid, and when your system is not producing, you draw energy as usual.

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This type of local generation is called behind the meter (BTM) solar, and it is one of the most effective ways to keep energy reliable, affordable, and sustainable. It reduces demand on utility transmission lines, keeps energy spending local, and helps homeowners manage rising electricity costs.

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Why It Benefits Everyone

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According to the Stanford study, local solar projects:

• Use existing space efficiently. Rooftops, carports, and parking areas generate clean energy without taking up new land.
• Ease pressure on the grid. Local solar reduces the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades and helps prevent overloads during peak demand.
• Support cleaner air and climate goals. Every kilowatt of home-produced energy reduces fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Create local jobs. Installing and maintaining residential and community solar systems supports skilled trades in Oregon.
• Increase resilience. When paired with energy storage, behind the meter systems can provide backup power and help the grid during outages or extreme weather.

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A Stronger, Smarter Energy Future for Portland

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For Portland General Electric (PGE) customers, local solar plays an important role in creating a cleaner, more reliable power system. PGE notes that solar energy can help customers save money over time while supporting a sustainable grid.

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As electricity use continues to grow with electric vehicles and all-electric homes, behind the meter systems help balance the grid by generating power where it is needed most and sharing any excess with nearby customers. This helps create a cleaner and more stable local network.

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Powering the Change Together

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Behind the meter solar is a clear example of how individual choices lead to collective progress. When one household installs solar panels, the benefits ripple outward: less strain on the grid, cleaner air, and more dependable energy for the neighborhood.

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For Elemental Energy, this has been our focus for fifteen years. Every Portland installation represents another step toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

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If you are ready to see how solar can work for your home, our team is here to help you explore options for solar panels, battery storage, and system upgrades.

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Schedule your free solar site evaluation today and take the next step toward local, reliable, renewable power.

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Source: PV Magazine USA, “Why Small-Scale, Non-Utility Solar Is Important,” October 2025. Based on research by Dr. Mark Jacobson, Stanford University.

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