March 23, 2009

PORTLAND, Ore. — The nation’s first solar highway installation is up and running in Tualatin, Oregon, putting the myth to rest that rainy Oregon doesn’t produce enough sunshine to successfully generate solar power.

The solar photovoltaic demonstration project, a collaboration by Portland General Electric (PGE) (NYSE:POR), US Bank and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), is a “proof-of-concept” project to demonstrate solar arrays installed on the right-of-way can complement, not compromise, the transportation system. The project also provides PGE with data on how well a large-scale distributed generation site, such as a solar array, can perform in its service area.

The $1.3 million project began supplying renewable power in December 2008 to help light the way for drivers at the Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 interchange in Tualatin.

The 104-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system — covering about 8,000 square feet and roughly the length of two football fields — is producing about 112,000 kilowatt hours a year, or 28 percent of the 400,000 kilowatt hours used to light the interchange.

“This project highlights Oregon’s role as a leader in developing clean renewable energy resources. This made-in-Oregon project highlights what can be accomplished with strong public-private partnership,” said Governor Ted Kulongoski.  

 “The Oregon solar highway demonstration project is performing very well proving that solar power has the potential to become an important part of Oregon’s energy future,” said Jim Piro, president and CEO of PGE. “With Congress working on carbon legislation, as well as anticipated reductions in renewable manufacturing costs, we think renewable resources will become more competitive with thermal resources over time so projects like the solar highway will likely become a cost-effective resource for our customers.”

Electricity at night for the highway interchange is provided by PGE and the added solar power during the day is handled through a net metering arrangement with ODOT. The solar panels produce electricity during the day, supplying power onto the PGE grid, and PGE returns an equivalent amount of power at night to light the interchange.

The project is an “all Oregon” effort — Oregon companies supplied the materials, design and installation of this collaborative project.

SolarWorld AG of Hillsboro supplied  the solar panels, and PV Powered, Inc. of Bend supplied the inverter that converts the solar power for use on PGE’s grid. 

The project was designed, constructed and installed by SolarWay, a “turn-key” solar energy engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) consortium consisting of four Oregon firms: Aadland Evans Constructors, Inc., of Portland as the general contractor; Moyano Leadership Group, Inc., of Salem as the project manager and design leader; Advanced Energy Systems of Eugene as the solar power specialty designer and installer,  and Good Company of Eugene as the community and sustainability specialist.

To access more information about the project, go to: www.oregonsolarhighway.com.