Solar-Friendly Hillsboro Earns National Kudos

HILLSBORO, OR — City officials since 2007 have encouraged investments in solar energy infrastructure; this month, that commitment to sustainable energy conservancy was rewarded with national recognition from both federal and private energy agencies.

For its solar-friendly push in Hillsboro, the city received the Gold-level SolSmart designation from the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), and the Solar Foundation, city spokesman Patrick Preston said in a statement. The designation formally reflects the city's efforts to address reducing costs associated with solar investments, such as waiving fees that would otherwise be passed on to consumers for industry-offered solar installation.

Waiving fees, just one of the ways Hillsboro has supported solar investments, reduces barriers for residents and solar manufacturers who wish to enter the solar market.

"We are grateful for the SolSmart recognition because it validates the many years of deliberate effort by our Building and Planning departments to streamline our permitting processes to be as fast and low-cost as they can be," said Rob Dixon, assistant city manager for Community Development. "One solar installation professional recently wrote to tell us, 'You guys are so fast, you rock! I am so happy with your team and the permitting process.'"

While Hillsboro was one of 58 communities to be recognized at the American Planning Association National Conference earlier this month, both Hillsboro and Beaverton are the only two cities in the Pacific Northwest to receive the Gold-level SolSmart designation as being 'open for solar business,' Preston said.

Since the city began offering easier access to solar technologies, Preston said, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has recognized Hillsboro as a Northwest Solar Community — an honorary distinction further recognizing Hillsboro's commitment to solar energy.

"We have been strong advocates for solar for many years," city Sustainability Manager Peter Brandon said. "It has created great local jobs and been a key element to our sustainability efforts."

Hillsboro has been home to the Germany-based solar company SolarWorld for years, but that could soon change. SolarWorld filed for insolvency earlier this month, putting into question the future of not only the company's Hillsboro-based U.S. headquarters, but also the hundreds of people employed there.

The Hillsboro Tribune on Friday reported SolarWorld's plan to layoff hundreds of employees in mid-July, stating between 500 and 700 employees could lose their jobs beginning July 18.

To learn more about Hillsboro’s sustainability efforts, visit Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/Sustainability.

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