Renewable Energy Collective

5034621600

  • Home
  • How We Do It
  • More
    • Home
    • How We Do It
Renewable Energy Collective

5034621600

  • Home
  • How We Do It
data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=

Clean Energy Stronger Communities

Clean Energy Stronger CommunitiesClean Energy Stronger CommunitiesClean Energy Stronger Communities

Delivering clean energy Solutions that strengthen homes, business and communities.

Join the Movement

Clean Energy Stronger Communities

Clean Energy Stronger CommunitiesClean Energy Stronger CommunitiesClean Energy Stronger Communities

Delivering clean energy Solutions that strengthen homes, business and communities.

Join the Movement

Our Mission

Our Mission

 Our mission is to expand access to clean energy solutions that strengthen homes, businesses, and communities through renewable energy, energy efficiency, EV charging, and community resilience.  

Integrated Clean Energy Solutions"

Our Solar Installation Partner

Join the Green Energy Movement

 

Harness the Power of the Sun with Professional Solar Panel Installation

At Infinity Solar USA, we specialize in designing and installing premium solar energy systems that help you reduce your utility bills and carbon footprint. Whether you’re in Portland or anywhere across our service areas, our solar power systems are built to last and perform at peak efficiency.

We proudly serve homeowners and businesses all across the US. Our team delivers comprehensive services including solar panel cleaning services, routine solar panel maintenance, and expert solar panel repair.

 

Learn About Solar

Electric Vehicle Advancement

Additional Information

     

EVA is a strategic partner of Renewable Energy Collective (REC), providing site surveys, electrical site assessments, and general contracting services for EV charging projects. EVA helps evaluate electrical capacity and site requirements and serves as the general contractor for installation and construction. Together, REC and EVA provide a coordinated approach to developing reliable EV charging infrastructure for businesses, property owners, and communities.

 

opconnect

Where EV Charging Stations Are Grown

     

 

opconnect is a Portland, Oregon-based  OpConnect offers a diverse portfolio of EV charging hardware, network services, and charging solutions for commercial, residential, fleet, and community applications. As an authorized reseller of OpConnect offerings, REC helps customers select and deploy solutions that meet their specific charging needs while supporting local investment and the growth of clean transportation infrastructure.

 

Renewable Energy Collective Leadership

Ray Shellmire: Community Champion

Terry Robinson Sales/Marketing and System Design

Terry Robinson Sales/Marketing and System Design

 

Ray Shellmire serves as Community Engagement Director for Renewable Energy Collective (REC), building relationships with residents, businesses, community organizations, and local partners. He leads outreach and engagement efforts that connect communities with solar energy, electric vehicle charging, and clean-energy opportunities while helping ensure REC’s projects reflect the needs of the communities it serves.


503-803-2309

ray.renewableenergycollective@gmail.com

Terry Robinson Sales/Marketing and System Design

Terry Robinson Sales/Marketing and System Design

Terry Robinson Sales/Marketing and System Design

 

Terry Robinson Sr. serves as President of Renewable Energy Collective (REC), where he leads business development, sales, and community partnerships. His work focuses on solar energy and electric vehicle charging, including site design, project development, and sales. Terry brings decades of sales and leadership experience to advancing clean-energy solutions that create economic opportunities and strengthen communities.


503-462-1600

renewableenergycollective@gmail.com


Jordan Abramson Chief Strategist

Terry Robinson Sales/Marketing and System Design

Jordan Abramson Chief Strategist

 

Jordan Abramson serves as Chief Strategist and Solar Subject Matter Expert for Renewable Energy Collective (REC). He provides strategic guidance and technical expertise in solar energy, supporting system planning, project development, site design, and clean-energy solutions. Jordan helps REC develop practical, scalable solar strategies for residential, commercial, and community-based projects.


541-399-2257

jabramson.rec@gmail.com

Welcome to Our World

Get in Touch

Solar FAQs Simplified

Please reach us at renewableenergycollective@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

 

Solar Energy Q&A

Q1: What is solar energy?

A: Solar energy is power derived from the sun’s radiation. This energy can be converted into electricity (using solar panels) or heat (using solar thermal systems).

Q2: Why is solar considered a renewable energy source?

A: Because the sun continuously produces energy and is not depleted by use. As long as the sun exists, we can harness its energy.

Q3: How do solar panels work?

A: Solar panels contain photovoltaic (PV) cells that absorb sunlight. The sunlight knocks electrons loose inside the cells, creating an electric current.

Q4: What are the main advantages of solar energy?

A:

  • Environmentally friendly (no emissions during operation)
     
  • Renewable and abundant
     
  • Reduces electricity bills
     
  • Low maintenance once installed
     
  • Works in remote areas without grid access
     

Q5: What are the disadvantages?

A:

  • Energy production depends on sunlight (weather + nighttime issues)
     
  • Requires space for installation
     

Q6: Can solar power work on cloudy days?

A: Yes, but energy output is lower. Solar panels still capture diffuse sunlight, but production can drop by 10–75%, depending on cloud cover.

Q7: How long do solar panels last?

A: Typically, 25–30 years, though they degrade slowly and may continue producing at lower efficiency after that.

Q8: Are solar panels recyclable?

A: Yes. Most components—glass, aluminum frames, metals—can be recycled, and recycling technologies are improving.

Q9: Do solar panels require maintenance?

A: Very little. Mostly cleaning (dust, pollen, snow) and occasional inspections. Inverters may need replacement after 10–15 years.

Q10: What is net metering?

A: A policy that allows homeowners with solar panels to send excess electricity back to the grid and earn bill credits.

Q11: What’s the difference between PV and solar thermal?

A:

  • PV (photovoltaic): Converts sunlight to electricity.
     
  • Solar thermal: Uses sunlight to heat water or air.
     

Q12: Can solar energy power an entire home?

A: Yes. With sufficient panels and optional battery storage, a home can run entirely on solar power—even off-grid.

Q13: How does battery storage work with solar?

A: Batteries store excess energy produced during the day so it can be used at night or during outages. Common battery type: lithium-ion.

Q14: Is solar cost-effective?

A: Over time, yes. Although upfront costs are high, long-term savings on electricity often pay off, especially with incentives or subsidies.

Q15: Can solar energy help reduce climate change?

A: Yes. Solar produces electricity without burning fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering our carbon footprint.


Oregon’s Clean Energy Future

Key Goals & Legislation

  • In 2021 the legislature passed House Bill 2021, which among other things sets a requirement that large electricity providers in Oregon reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from electricity they supply: 80 % below baseline by 2030; 90 % by 2035; and 100 % (i.e., net-zero GHG emissions) by 2040. Oregon+1
     
  • Oregon’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) for “large” investor-owned utilities was amended via Senate Bill 1547 (2016) to require at least 50 % of electricity supplied from qualifying renewable resources by 2040. Oregon
     
  • Utilities such as Portland General Electric (PGE) and PacifiCorp (via its Oregon operations) have filed Clean Energy Plans (CEPs) aligned with these targets. For example, PacifiCorp’s Oregon Clean Energy Plan outlines how it will work toward “100% renewable and non-carbon-emitting energy” in Oregon by 2040. PacifiCorp+1
     
  • The draft state-wide energy strategy work by the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) is engaging public input on how to meet these targets, including pathways, policy and action. opb

 

What the Plan Implies

  • The “100% by 2040” GHG target means that electricity providers must shift away from fossil fuels (coal, gas) toward non-emitting resources (renewables, non-carbon generation) for the electricity they serve in Oregon.
     
  • The RPS goal of 50% renewables by 2040 (for qualifying renewable resources) sets a quantitative floor for “new” renewables (wind, solar, geothermal, etc.). But the GHG law is more ambitious (net-zero emissions) and covers the entire generation portfolio.
     
  • The planning process emphasises equity, community-based renewable energy, stakeholder engagement (especially with tribal and disadvantaged communities), reliability, grid modernization, and costs. Davis Wright Tremaine+1
     
  • Because many parts of Oregon’s electricity currently come from large hydro, natural gas, etc., meeting 2040 will involve major system changes: new generation, storage (batteries), transmission upgrades, demand-side management (efficiency, demand response), and likely some flexibility or transitional resources.
     
  • There will likely be interim milestones (2030, 2035) that providers will need to show plans for, so monitoring progress is important.

Join the Eco Revolution

Understanding Climate Change

 

What we do know

  • PGE’s 2023 Clean Energy Plan / Integrated Resource Plan (CEP/IRP) states that the path to meet the clean-electricity / emissions targets must maintain “affordability” as one of its core goals. Portland General Electric+2Contentful+2
     
  • PGE notes that resource cost assumptions have increased (for renewables, transmission, storage) and that the timing of additions is constrained. Portland General Electric+1
     
  • The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) reports that retail electricity prices in Oregon have risen by ~26-30% between 2020 and 2024, for reasons including higher wholesale costs, infrastructure needs, extreme weather costs, and increased demand. Energy Info
     
  • There are recent calls from consumer advocacy groups (e.g., the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board) urging PGE to rely more heavily on energy-efficiency to keep cost increases lower. Oregon CB

 

Given the absence of a published specific consumer-bill increase figure, here’s a reasoned interpretation based on available data:

  • If retail electricity rates in Oregon rose ~26-30% over four years (2020-24) largely due to multiple cost pressures including the clean-energy transition, that suggests the clean-energy transition is one of the cost drivers, but not the only one.
     
  • PGE has committed to keeping the clean transition as affordable as possible, so the utility likely expects incremental bill increases phased over time rather than a single big jump.
     
  • Because PGE says post-2030 cost projections are uncertain, the major “bill increase” risk might occur later (2030-2040) when long-duration storage, transmission upgrades, and new technologies become necessary.
     

So a reasonable ballpark might be that consumers could see bill increases in the low-to-mid single-digit percent per year over part of the transition period (above inflation), rather than a dramatic one-time jump — but that's my inference, not a stated utility number.


What to look for / ask PGE or regulators

  • Ask PGE for their “average residential bill forecast” under the CEP/IRP (by year, e.g., 2025, 2030, 2035).
     
  • Ask regulators (PUC) for a cost-impact analysis of HB 2021 (the Oregon clean-electricity law) on consumer rates.
     
  • Monitor PGE rate-case filings: utilities often file “cost of service” and “rate impact” data in regulatory proceedings.
     
  • Check whether PGE’s upcoming CEP update (due to regulators’ direction) includes a more detailed consumer-cost projection. Oregon CUB+1
     

Let's Collaborate

Reach Out to Us

Attach Files
Attachments (0)

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 

Renewable Energy Collective LLC

Call us: (619) 906-1799 / (503) 803-2309

Our Eco Hours

Open today

09:00 am – 05:00 pm

Join Our Eco Allies

Power a Greener Future

Copyright © 2026 Renewable Energy Collective - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

  • Home

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept

Join the Green Movement

Support Renewable Energy Initiatives

Join Us Today