Jul 31 2010
Portland General Electric (PGE) has completed the biggest rooftop solar array installation in the Pacific Northwest.
The solar project started during March this year with an investment of $14 million has concluded installation of 2.4 MW solar panels over the roof tops of seven distribution warehouses. Partners of this project include Prologis and Energy Trust of Oregon that have invested an amount of $2 million in incentives for early completion of the project.
Carol Dillin, vice president of customers and economic development in Portland General Electric, expressed his happiness about the growth of solar energy harvesting in Oregon driven by customer’s participation. He mentioned the unparalleled growth of solar projects in both residential and commercial segments during the last two years, and how it helped the growth of solar products manufacturing. He anticipates such use of renewable energy sources will in turn foster the green economy of Oregon.
Earlier, Portland General Electric had installed solar panels on one of the warehouses of ProLogis. During this occasion, Peter West, director of energy programs at Energy Trust of Oregon, said this demonstrates the potential in rooftop installation in Oregon that can help in generating clean and easy to generate renewable energy.
PGE currently owns 14.3 MW of solar power generating capacity and also owns 10.7 MW customer owned power generating projects for which PGE supports, using net metering program. The currently signed agreement with Prologis will benefit the company with 3.5 MW of solar power. Under the circumstances PGE aims to reach 9% of total renewable energy production to achieve its renewable energy target of 25% by the year 2025in Oregon.