Mr. Solar touts sun’s power at Gresham High

Earth science class learns of benefits of solar energy

By Kari Hastings

The Gresham Outlook, Apr 20, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Carole Archer / The Gresham Outlook

John Patterson, owner of Mr. Sun Solar, shows Gresham High School earth science students a 55-watt photovoltaic solar panel at his talk on Thursday, April 19. Patterson urged students to consider solar power in their adult lives, saying that even in rainy Oregon, consumers can glean about half their energy from solar sources.

Gresham High School’s earth science class learned about the power of the sun Thursday, April 19, from business owner John Patterson of Mr. Sun Solar, who makes a habit of speaking to students about what he considers the future of energy.

His half-hour talk to the upper division elective class, taught by Cyrus Harshfield, included an explanation of the three kinds of solar power available – solar water heating, solar pool heating and photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.

“We have to start thinking of energy as energy and not energy as money,” he said. “We are the consumers of energy. We have to use it, but we can choose where we want to get it from. For human beings to continue living on this Earth, we have to use it in a thoughtful way.”

Mr. Sun Solar should know. His business, which began in 1980, has doubled both of the past two years. In 2004, his company, located by the Portland International Airport, had four employees and installed 50 solar systems. In 2005, 10 employees installed 100 systems, and last year, 20 workers installed 200 systems, several of which were in the Gresham and Sandy areas.

Gresham High junior Matt Langman said he liked learning that “you could put something on your roof and get energy from it.”

Senior Sady Bakken said she can see the practical benefits of a solar water heater. With a house full of people, she said she often bathes at midnight so she can get a hot shower.

“I also like that you quit putting carbon dioxide into the air,” Bakken said.

Patterson said he looks at his school visits as a “societal investment.”

“I feel it’s important to get the word out that there are practical solutions out there,” he said. “And with younger people, there’s more receptivity. They care about it, and they have open minds. It’s particularly great at the grad school level to see something clicking with a kid.”

Installing solar systems can be expensive. Solar water heaters cost around $7,500, but Oregon gives $4,000 in tax credits back. Solar pool heaters cost $4,000 upfront, with $1,000 available in tax credits. Photovoltaic solar systems can cost around $20,000 to install, with $13,000 in tax credits available.

“Oregon is No. 1 in the nation as far as rebates and tax credits for solar energy,” Patterson said.

The business owner said even in rainy Oregon, energy consumers can glean half their energy from solar sources.

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