October 2021:   We are excited to announce the completion of the MillieWatts Project, a 50.56 KW solar array installed on the roof of Temple Beth Sholom. The project incorporates batteries that will allow us to continue operating even if our normal power sources are disrupted. Along with the CERT cache located on our premises, Temple Beth Sholom is prepared to serve as an emergency shelter during times of natural disaster.

Temple Beth Sholom is always looking for ways to serve both its members and the broader Salem community. The MillieWatts project is named in honor of our beloved longtime member, Millie Estrin z’l. Before she passed away, Millie was a pillar of our community and an ardent environmentalist. In 2018, she, along with several other TBS members, spearheaded a successful grant proposal to PGE. This grant specified that projects would be judged on both their environmental and community contributions. This inspired TBS to include the batteries to ensure that we could serve as an asset to the community in case of power disruptions.

The funds from the grant combined with incentives from the Energy Trust of Oregon provided the means to begin construction of the project. The balance of the funding was largely provided by loans and donations from members of the TBS community.

This project has been made possible by customers participating in PGE’s Green Future^SM program through the Renewable Development Fund.