Several businesses in Corvallis have been plugging into financial incentives to get their power from a renewable energy source: the sun.

According to the Energy Trust of Oregon, 22 businesses across the state have taken advantage of its standard incentives program to install commercial solar electrical systems.

The Oregon Department of Energy offers a business tax credit program, and the federal government provides a mix of tax credits for commercial installations.

By combining the various incentives, businesses can considerably lower the cost of installing solar power, sometimes as much as 60 percent or more.

In the last couple months, a number of Corvallis businesses have jumped on the bandwagon and added solar electrical systems to their roofs.

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Kirk Bailey, who runs an electrical and computer design business out of the historic Buchanan House on Southwest Fourth Street, installed 48 solar panels on the south-facing side of the roof of his office building in November.

The system, which is three times the size of a typical residential array, has produced 750 kilowatt-hours since it was turned on in December, and Bailey expects it to produce 75 percent of his total year-round energy. Before he installed the system, Bailey retrofitted the office with low-power lighting and a more efficient air conditioner.

To install a solar electrical system, consumers have to pay a fair amount up front. But Bailey said that, because of the wealth of financial incentives available (some of which is paid up front to contractors), the payback period on his system is only five years. The system has a 25-year warranty.

Bailey also helps friends install the systems and is opening a branch office of Solar Assist, a Eugene company that installs and supplies solar electrical systems, in his downtown Corvallis office.

Ted Cox installed 17 panels in December over his business, the Old World Deli, on Southwest Second Street.

"As an individual I wanted to take part and promote green energy," Cox said.

The system provides enough power to illuminate the main dining area of the restaurant.

Cox, like Bailey, converted to low-wattage light bulbs before putting in the solar array. The system isn’t quite large enough to power the deli’s compressors and refrigerators, though.

Cox said Citizens Bank purchased the right to use his tax credit, and, in return, he received a check toward the cost of the system. He also took advantage of the Energy Trust incentive. He said his system has a 10-year payoff.

Inside the Old World Deli, Cox set up a display that shows the total amount of solar power produced. He wants to create public awareness about clean energy.

"It is something to be proud about in our community," said Cox.

First Alternative Co-op installed 16 panel solar electrical systems at its main store and its northside store in December. Lincoln Elementary School put in a similar array. The three projects are part of a pilot demonstration initiated by Solar CREEK, a local group dedicated to creating solar-powered schools in Corvallis. CREEK stands for Clean Renewable Energy for Everybody’s Kids.

The group used donations from the community, various state and federal tax incentives and no-interest loans from Peak Sports to fund the installation of the systems.

Jonathan Carroll, manager of the co-op’s north store, said, "These really have sparked an interest. People ask me about them every day."

Solar energy produced by the system amounts to around 1 percent of the total energy that the store uses, Carroll said. The co-op also buys wind-generated electricity from Pacific Power.

Carroll frequently steps outside to check the reading on the meter, which lists the cumulative energy output, the real-time amount of power produced and reduction in carbon dioxide emissions resulting from solar energy use. Since the installation in December, the meter says a total of 290 pounds of carbon dioxide has been kept out of the atmosphere and a total of 125 kilowatt-hours has been produced.

When Corvallis recently saw some winter sunshine the system was kicking out more than 1,000 watts of power at a time.

Jeff Katz, owner of Peak Sports and financier of the Solar CREEK project, said he supports clean energy use.

"We are trying to promote the use of solar, and to reduce the use of nonrenewable resources is part of our business plan," Katz said.

Katz said that after three years, the business will have taken in enough tax incentives to cover its out-of-pocket expense.

Christopher Dymond, an energy analyst with the Oregon Department of Energy and a solar energy enthusiast, said the solar installations are a new development for Corvallis, but he expects to see more in the future.

"Corvallis wasn’t on the map until 12 months ago," he said.

Dymond said projects popping up around town will help to leverage even more state and federal funds for solar electrical systems. He also said additional downtown businesses have expressed interest.