Renewable Energy Project Solar Panel Dedication

August 19th, 2019

Ribbon Cutting and Dedication August 27 for Renewable Energy Project at FISH Food Pantry

August 19, 2019

A new renewable energy project has been completed at the FISH Food Pantry located in the Jerry Bruce Community Campus off North Stephens Street in Roseburg. The FISH of Roseburg (The FISH) will hold a ribbon cutting and celebration for the new system on Tuesday August 27 at 10:30 am at the FISH Food Pantry. Representatives from Pacific Power, which helped fund the installation through a Blue Sky funding award will participate in the celebration, as will representatives of the Energy Trust of Oregon and First Interstate BancSystem Foundation who also helped fund the project.

The project involves a new roof mounted solar photovoltaic power system installation. It consists of 45 Oregon made solar panels divided among the west and south facing roof slopes of the FISH Food Pantry building. The project makes a significant impact for the FISH Food Pantry by reducing its electricity needs about 40%.

“We’re excited to model how smaller renewable energy projects like this can make a difference in the local community. By generating our own energy, we’ll free up more of our budget to focus on our core mission of assisting in reducing hunger within Douglas County” said Nis Jessen, board President of The FISH. “It’s all thanks to Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program participants, and the other funders of the project. Without their help, we would not have the project we now have.” The Blue Sky program provided about 70% of the funding for the project.

“It is always a great day when we can partner with a group like The FISH of Roseburg, to help power a brighter future for the community,” said Berit Kling, Blue Sky renewable energy program manager at Pacific Power. “We’re part of this community, too, so we’re pleased that through our Blue Sky program Pacific Power customers can nurture more renewable power and also support the goals of local schools, libraries and community centers and other vital groups.”

The FISH of Roseburg is a non-profit organization that operates the FISH Food Pantry that provides emergency groceries to over 900 Douglas County families per month, which include almost 3,200 persons.

Blue Sky is an opt-in program that gives Pacific Power customers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint while supporting the development of new renewable energy. Through Blue Sky customers can also invest in qualifying, renewable energy projects for community-serving organizations, such as The FISH of Roseburg. Since 2006, Pacific Power Blue Sky program participants have supported more than 120 community-based solar, wind, geothermal and renewable energy projects across Pacific Power’s service area.

Construction on the new solar power system project began in June after The FISH of Roseburg was notified of the grant. The project’s contractor, Energy Design of Eugene, completed installation in July and the project began generating power on July 30.

For more information visit https://www.fishofroseburg.org or
https://www.pacificpower.net/savings-energy-choices/blue-sky-renewable-energy.html

Media contacts for this news release for The FISH of Roseburg is Nis Jessen at 541-643-5237.