Evergreen Federal Bank

Evergreen Federal Bank achieves net-zero energy status with elevated Stracker Solar panels that follow the sun.

Evergreen Federal Bank’s new Ashland branch incorporates a highly efficient and sustainable net-zero energy solution for its own business while promoting and facilitating the clean energy transition for its community. The bank is so committed to solar energy that it developed a program that offers solar financing options and provides solar tours to help the community learn about net zero energy and available solutions for solar power generation.

Evergreen had been considering using solar energy for some time, and this new building was the perfect place to begin. The new Evergreen Federal Bank branch uses a combination of parking-lot solar trackers and a rooftop PV installation. The Strackers, painted to the client’s corporate evergreen color, seamlessly blend in with the landscape of the Evergreen property without constraining the usable space. They also light the parking lot with bright, energy-efficient LEDs.

THE CHALLENGE

Evergreen, a mutual bank dedicated to community impact, aimed to lead as Oregon's first net-zero bank. With Ashland residents prioritizing solar energy, Evergreen committed to offsetting 100% of its electricity usage. However, the challenge was generating enough on-site solar power with limited rooftop space to achieve this goal.

THE RESULTS

Bank employees and members are proud of their 100% net-zero sustainable branch and the four Strackers, which are highly visible from the road as people exit I-5 en route to Ashland. A computerized display in the lobby entrance shows how energy is being created and used, highlighting the energy going back to the grid. This energy will be donated to low-income projects in the region through Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Program.