One of the biggest hurdles homeowners face when they consider whether to install solar power systems is the cost, experts told about 30 people gathered Friday in Father Luke’s Room at McMenamins Old St. Francis School in Bend.

“Upfront cost is truly still a barrier of people (getting) into solar,” said Lee Rahr, of Resource Consultants in Sandy, one of the speakers.

“We’re talking about 20-plus thousand dollars upfront. A lot of people can’t do that ….”

The session was one of about 16 presentations scheduled for Solar Now! University, the third annual conference that seeks to promote solar energy in communities throughout the state and educate their leaders. It was the first time the event, which began Thursday and ends today, was held in Bend.

Another speaker, Claire Carlson, executive director of Solar Oregon, said solar power installations have increased throughout the state through solarization programs, which help homeowners adopt the technology.

Mike Riley, executive director of The Environmental Center, in Bend, said the programs aid homeowners by pre-screening contractors to ensure they meet industry standards. They also offer discounts on installations, he said.

For example, the local version of the program, Go Solar! Central Oregon, is offering discounts to homeowners who sign up by Oct. 31, Riley said. The program, which launched in July, is available in Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties.

Solar Oregon, a nonprofit, has assisted with 19 solarization programs in Oregon, Carlson said. Between 2009 and 2011, she said, the programs installed 1,014 solar-power systems statewide, totaling 2.9 megawatts.

Lindsey Hardy, outreach director for Sunlight Solar Energy in Bend, attended the presentation and said she was excited to learn what people throughout the state are doing with their the solarize programs.

“It’s nice to see how everything has evolved,” she said, “and how different communities are changing it to fit their own needs.”

Through Go Solar! Central Oregon, Riley said, customers have the option to work through either Sunlight Solar Energy or E2 Solar, another Bend contractor. They can also choose whether to lease or purchase a system.

“The combination of the discount price through the program, along with current incentives and tax credits, makes solar power in Central Oregon more affordable than it’s ever been,” Riley said.

Riley said 113 people have registered for Go Solar! Central Oregon, and about 20 projects will be completed in the next six to eight weeks.

Informational sessions about the program will be offered over the next several weeks in Bend, Redmond, Madras and Prineville.

On the Web

For more information about Go Solar! Central Oregon, visit http://gosolarcentraloregon.org/