PGE’s solar commitment grows
Capital and grant funding makes customer solar projects possible
PGE plans to add another 15 MW of distributed solar projects on customer property, either roof or ground-mounted. Already one of the top 10 utilities in the nation for solar integration for 2008, PGE has developed a groundbreaking model to cost-effectively deliver solar to its customers. The Ownership Transition Model uses third-party financing and captures tax benefits and incentives that customers can’t take advantage of on their own to make the solar installation a cost-effective solution for all parties.
PGE has already used this model in two high-profile solar projects, the nation’s first solar highway at I-5 and I-205 and the Northwest’s largest multi-rooftop solar installation at ProLogis in Northeast Portland.
Over the next few months, PGE will be developing this concept into a new program for customers. If you have approximately 300,000 square feet of open space for solar either on your roof tops or on unused land, please check with your PGE representative in the coming months about the status of this program.
Grants finance improved solar monitoring
PGE recently won two grants — one from the Bonneville Power Administration and one from the U.S. Department of Energy — that fund research and development for renewable power integration into the regional grid. “We’re developing cost-effective ways to monitor small renewable resource projects,” says Mark Osborn, PGE Manager of Distributed Resources. “The Oregon Public Utility Commission requires monitoring of renewable energy into the grid, and we’re coming up with ways to cut the customer’s cost of installing monitoring systems by up to a third.” PGE routinely applies for grants to help improve renewable energy integration without incurring additional costs to PGE or its customers.
Solar power is just one of several renewable sources PGE is pursuing to meet growing demand for Oregon’s energy future. See these links to learn more: