Energy Trust Insider

Medford Commercial and Industrial Trade Ally Forum
2026-04-15 08:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Hilton Garden Inn Medford, 1000 Welcome Way, Medford, OR, 97504, United States
Join us for an opportunity to connect, learn share feedback and hear from economist Mary Kopriva from ODOE.
Join us for the 2026 Trade Ally Forum, Energy Trust’s annual gathering of trade allies from across the region. This year’s forum will feature a keynote from Mary Kopriva, economist with the Oregon Department of Energy, who will share market perspectives and economic insights shaping our industry.
Attendees will:

Connect with fellow trade allies and Energy Trust staff
Hear program updates and explore new resources
Share feedback to help shape the future of the Trade Ally Network
Celebrate the vital role trade allies play in advancing energy efficiency and sustainability

Whether you are a long-time trade ally or newly enrolled, the forum offers valuable opportunities to strengthen partnerships, grow your business and help lead our communities toward a more energy-efficient future.

Home Retrofit Trade Ally Orientation – Part 1
2026-04-15 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-05-20 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-06-17 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-07-15 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-08-19 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-09-16 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
Participating in this webinar is one of the requirements for joining the Home Retrofit Trade Ally Network. In addition to this webinar, contractors wishing to join the Home Retrofit Trade Ally Network must complete these additional requirements:
1) Submit the appropriate paperwork including
a) Sending the Certificate of Liability Insurance Fax Request Form to your insurance carrier
b) Complete the Form 1171A – Trade Ally Enrollment Application
c) Complete the Form 371A – Home Retrofit Trade Ally Addendum
2) Participate in the Home Retrofit Specifications Manual Webinar. This webinar takes place the day after this Home Retrofit Trade Ally Orientation, at 9 a.m. and you must register separately.
Cost: free

Bend Commercial and Industrial Trade Ally Forum
2026-04-16 08:00 - 13:00 | Riverhouse Lodge, 3075 North Highway 97, Bend, OR, 97703

Home Retrofit Specifications Manual Orientation – Part 2
2026-04-16 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-21 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-18 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-07-16 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-08-20 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-09-17 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
This technical training provides a detailed overview of the Home Retrofit Specifications Manual. The manual is revised and published once a year and articulates Energy Trust of Oregon’s requirements for measure installations in detached single-family houses. This webinar will explain how projects are reviewed by the program through Quality Assurance visits, how to avoid common causes of corrective actions, and other tips for ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the specifications.
This webinar is 2 hours long. Attendance is a prerequisite to enrolling in the trade ally network but all contractors performing work for Energy Trust customers are welcome and encouraged to participate.

BetterBuilt NW HVAC Sizing Tool Overview
2026-04-21 08:30 - 10:00 | Zoom
Join Energy Trust Home Retrofit for this free and frequently requested virtual training. This presentation is designed to showcase the BetterBuilt NW HVAC Sizing Tool, and how to use the tool for HVAC design. Both trade allies and community partners may benefit from this information if they are looking to explore different sizing tools and learn more about HVAC load calculations.

HVAC Standard Practices Checklist
2026-04-28 08:30 - 10:00 | Zoom

An Introduction to Home Energy Assessments
2026-05-05 08:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
Training Summary:
Join Energy Trust for a presentation focused on the basics of Home Energy Assessments. This training will cover the HEA process for the Community Partner Program as well as common tools, technology and techniques to improve HEA information. This training is ideal for Community Partners looking to learn more or improve their assessment process.
Topic List

Community Partner HEA Process
Common HEA Tools and Technology
System and Efficiency Identification

Post Occupancy Evaluations with Net Zero Fellow Maggie Harris in Lincoln City
2026-05-05 12:00 - 13:30 | Pelican Brewing, 5911 SW Hwy 101, Lincoln City, OR, 97367, United States
Connect over lunch and dive into new affordable multifamily research—save your spot today
Join your peers on May 5 in Lincoln City for a free lunch and engaging in-person discussion with Energy Trust of Oregon’s latest Net Zero Fellow, Maggie Harris of Holst Architecture. Maggie will share her team’s research, which establishes a practical post-occupancy evaluation methodology for affordable multifamily housing projects that explores the relationship between building performance and resident perceptions.
Come learn how Lincoln City is advancing net-zero projects on the Oregon Coast—insights gained in the research have the potential to strengthen net‑zero strategies across the entire coastal region.
Hear Maggie share her report, produced in collaboration with colleagues at Holst, which includes:

An overview of traditional post-occupancy evaluations and why a human-centered approach is critical when assessing affordable housing projects

Key themes that emerged from a pilot study for a permanent housing program, including resident‑identified priorities such as comfort, safety, maintenance and community connection, alongside early building‑level findings related to ventilation performance and energy use

How this new mixed-methods approach can be applied as a practical solution for other affordable multifamily housing projects

We hope to see you there!
1.5 AIA HSW CEUs are available, pending approval.
WHEN:
Tuesday, May 5
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Pelican Brewing – Siletz Bay
5911 SW Hwy 101
Lincoln City, OR 97367
About the presenter:
Maggie Harris
Senior associate, Holst Architecture
Maggie Harris is a lifelong Oregonian who currently resides in Portland. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and Communication from the University of Oregon and earned a Master of Architecture, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Real Estate Development, from Tulane University. As a project manager at Holst Architecture and a Ph.D. student at Portland State University’s School of Urban Studies, she is entrenched in both housing design and research. Her research focuses on the intersections between housing and health, examining the impact of housing on the mental health and well-being of low-income populations.
During her career, she has managed a range of housing projects throughout the country, including permanent supportive, affordable, market-rate and student housing. Working across a range of geographies and project scales has helped Maggie understand the importance of distinct housing solutions tailored for specific population sets. In September 2024, Maggie joined the Oregon Housing Stability Council, which reviews and sets policy for the development and financing of affordable housing in Oregon. Maggie is also a mother of a busy toddler and is passionate about ensuring he grows up understanding that housing is a human right, as reflected by the community in which we live.

Inspecting Unconditioned Spaces
2026-05-12 08:30 - 10:00 | Zoom
Training Summary:
Join Energy Trust for this introductory training on effectively evaluating unconditioned spaces. After completing this training attendees will better understand the possible health and safety concerns within an unconditioned space and will understand best practices in recommending possible solutions or improvements.
Training Topic List:

Inspection Basics
Safety
Identifying Improvements
Barrier Performance

Solar + Storage Trade Ally Enrollment Webinar, May 2026
2026-05-13 09:00 - 10:00 | Webinar
Participating in this hour-long webinar is one of the requirements for joining the Energy Trust’s Solar Electric Trade Ally Network. Includes Solar + Storage program overview with focus on topics relevant to new and prospective trade allies. Register here:
In addition to this webinar, contractors wishing to join the Solar Electric Trade Ally Network must complete these additional requirements:
Submit the appropriate paperwork including:
a) Sending the Certificate of Liability Insurance Fax Request Form to your insurance carrier
b) Complete the Form 1171A – Trade Ally Enrollment Application
c) Complete the Form 271E – Solar Electric Trade Ally Addendum

Post-Occupancy Evaluations with Net Zero Fellow Maggie Harris in Bend
2026-05-14 16:30 - 18:00 | The Breakroom, 1055 “B” NW Newport Ave., Bend, 97703
Join your peers on May 14 in Bend for free catered bites and engaging in-person discussion with Energy Trust of Oregon’s latest Net Zero Fellow, Maggie Harris of Holst Architecture. Maggie will share her team’s research, which establishes a practical post-occupancy evaluation methodology for affordable multifamily housing projects that explores the relationship between building performance and resident perceptions.
As communities in Central Oregon pursue interests in net‑zero development, this research offers timely insights that can help strengthen sustainable building strategies across the region.
Hear Maggie unveil her report, produced in collaboration with colleagues at Holst, which includes:

An overview of traditional post-occupancy evaluations and why a human-centered approach is critical when assessing affordable housing projects
Key themes that emerged from a pilot study for a permanent housing program, including resident‑identified priorities such as comfort, safety, maintenance and community connection, alongside early building‑level findings related to ventilation performance and energy use
How this new mixed-methods approach can be applied as a practical solution for other affordable multifamily housing projects

We hope to see you there!
1.5 AIA HSW CEUs are available, pending approval.
WHEN:
Thursday, May 14
4:30 – 6 p.m.
WHERE:
The Breakroom
1055 “B” NW Newport Ave.
Bend, OR 97703
Enjoy post-event networking at the Broken Top Bottle Shop.
About the presenter:
Maggie Harris
Senior associate, Holst Architecture
Maggie Harris is a lifelong Oregonian who currently resides in Portland. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and Communication from the University of Oregon and earned a Master of Architecture, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Real Estate Development, from Tulane University. As a project manager at Holst Architecture and a Ph.D. student at Portland State University’s School of Urban Studies, she is entrenched in both housing design and research. Her research focuses on the intersections between housing and health, examining the impact of housing on the mental health and well-being of low-income populations.
During her career, she has managed a range of housing projects throughout the country, including permanent supportive, affordable, market-rate and student housing. Working across a range of geographies and project scales has helped Maggie understand the importance of distinct housing solutions tailored for specific population sets. In September 2024, Maggie joined the Oregon Housing Stability Council, which reviews and sets policy for the development and financing of affordable housing in Oregon. Maggie is also a mother of a busy toddler and is passionate about ensuring he grows up understanding that housing is a human right, as reflected by the community in which we live.

Roadblocks to Energy Efficiency
2026-05-19 08:30 - 10:00 | Zoom
Training Summary:
Join Energy Trust for this introductory training on identifying roadblocks to home energy efficiency upgrades. This presentation covers a variety of potential roadblocks to projects, why they may stop work, and potential resolutions.
Training Topic List:

Identifying common roadblocks
Understanding impacts
Communicating with clients
Potential resolutions and resources

Building Science Principles Part I
2026-05-26 08:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Training Summary:
This virtual training is designed for contractors or community-based organizations that are interested in learning how various components of a home interact to affect the home’s overall performance. At no cost to them, Energy Trust trade allies and community partners that complete this training are eligible to take the BPI’s Building Science Principles Exam (normally $109) and earn their Building Science Principles (BSP) Certificate of Knowledge.
Training Topic List:

Introduction to Building Science
House as a System
Controlling Heat
Thermal Boundary
Air Movement
Moisture

Building Science Principles Part II
2026-05-27 08:00 - 12:00 | Zoom

Manual de especificaciones de Energy Trust – Descripción general
2026-05-28 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Training Summary:
Le invitamos a participar en esta presentación virtual organizada por Energy Trust of Oregon. Analizaremos los detalles del Manual de especificaciones para todas las medidas, incluyendo sistemas de climatización (HVAC), aislamiento de áticos, aislamiento de suelos y calentamiento de agua. Esta capacitación está diseñada para contratistas o socios comunitarios que deseen conocer los detalles específicos de los requisitos del programa de Energy Trust.

Business Lighting Midyear Seminar - Medford
2026-06-02 07:30 - 12:00 | Holiday Garden Inn Medford, 1000 Welcome Way, Medford, OR, 97504, United States
You are invited to attend one of the upcoming 2026 Business Lighting Midyear Seminars. These in-person seminars will be an opportunity to hear industry and program updates, network with your peers, learn more about the Oregon Building Performance Standards program, and see demonstrations of the latest lighting systems.
The seminar is free and includes breakfast – with plenty of bacon – and free parking. Please register to join us.

Business Lighting Midyear Seminar - Bend
2026-06-03 07:30 - 12:00 | Riverhouse Lodge, 3075 North Highway 97, Bend, OR, 97703

HB4029 Solar Consumer Protection Bill Information
2026-06-03 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Among the many ways Energy Trust aims to support the solar + storage industry is monitoring new laws, regulations, or code requirements that may be relevant to our trade allies. While Energy Trust is a neutral third-party regarding all pending legislation, we want to provide awareness if and when laws change. A solar consumer protection bill, House Bill 4029, was passed in Oregon on March 5, 2026. The bill clarifies requirements for those selling and installing solar in the state of Oregon. Oregon solar contractors have until June 5, 2026, to comply with this bill. Join this webinar to learn more about this bill.

Business Lighting Midyear Seminar - Portland
2026-06-04 07:30 - 12:00 | Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, 8235 Northeast Airport Way, Portland, OR, 97220
Hello Business Lighting Trade Allies:

You are invited to attend one of the upcoming 2026 Business Lighting Midyear Seminars. These in-person seminars will be an opportunity to hear industry and program updates, network with your peers, learn more about the Oregon Building Performance Standards program, and see demonstrations of the latest lighting systems.

The seminar is free and includes breakfast – with plenty of bacon – and free parking. Please register to join us.

Solar + Storage Trade Ally Enrollment Webinar, June 2026
2026-06-10 08:00 - 09:00 | Webinar
Participating in this hour-long webinar is one of the requirements for joining the Energy Trust’s Solar Electric Trade Ally Network. Includes Solar + Storage program overview with focus on topics relevant to new and prospective trade allies. Register here
In addition to this webinar, contractors wishing to join the Solar Electric Trade Ally Network must complete these additional requirements:
Submit the appropriate paperwork including:
a) Sending the Certificate of Liability Insurance Fax Request Form to your insurance carrier
b) Complete the Form 1171A – Trade Ally Enrollment Application
c) Complete the Form 271E – Solar Electric Trade Ally Addendum
