SALEM — A group in Salem wants to see a surge in the use of solar power by city homes.

Solarize Salem wants to add solar electric panels to 100 homes in Salem by next year.

The community group is basing the plan on a model started in Portland.

It starts with a community group organizing a campaign to connect homeowners interested in solar power. They find a contractor, attend educational workshops and as a group get a bulk rate that saves 10 percent to 30 percent.

Solarize Salem project manager Roy McCormack told the Salem Statesman Journal that the group has deals with two contractor groups to provide and install solar systems.