February 5, 2026
Pinehurst School District Wins Community Renewable Energy Grant from State
PINEHURST, Oregon—The Oregon Department of Energy announced today that Pinehurst School District has been awarded a $219,500 Community Renewable Energy grant to fund the installation of a 19 kW solar array and 71.5 kWh battery backup system at the Pinehurst Elementary School, which is located in the Greensprings community about 25 miles southeast of Ashland. The tiny district was one of 24 applicants that received awards. This is the fourth year that the State of Oregon has hosted the opportunity.
About 15 students attend the Pinehurst School, which has served the remote, rural community since 1908. The new solar array and battery storage system will provide 100 percent of the school’s energy on a net-annual basis. It will also allow the school to serve as a “resilience hub” during emergencies and extended power outages.
“The hub will be a place where the community can come together and access essentials like refrigeration for medications, water, cell phone charging, and information,” says Deb Evans, board chair of the Pinehurst School District #94. “We think it will especially benefit our older and more vulnerable residents.”
The Greensprings, located in the heart of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, experiences frequent winter storms and has been threatened by several large wildfires in recent years. The project will break ground this summer, with local contractor True South Solar serving as the solar installer.
About the Community Renewable Energy Program: Oregon’s Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (C-REP) launched after HB 2021 created a fund at ODOE to provide grants for planning and developing community renewable energy and energy resilience projects. The grant is open to Oregon Tribes, public bodies, and consumer-owned utilities. The selection committee prioritizes projects that support program equity goals, demonstrate community energy resilience, and include energy efficiency and demand response.
About the Pinehurst School District: Since its founding in 1908, Pinehurst School District has faithfully served the families of the Greensprings community, thriving as one of Oregon’s smallest unconsolidated school districts. Its enduring legacy rests on small class sizes, exceptional teacher-to-student ratios, and a holistic approach to education that remains rooted in both tradition and innovation. Pinehurst School proudly offers a curriculum that meets and exceeds state requirements, offering students rich experiences in art, music, theater, STEAM, and outdoor education.
