[Comm-Council] FW: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Unveils First in the Nation Solar Highway Installation

[HOKLIN Lonn * DAS DO]

Lonn Hoklin

Public Affairs Manager

Oregon Department of Administrative Services

503.378.2627

503.428.2169 (cell)

________________________________

From: GOVERNORS Press [mailto:Governors.Press at state.or.us] 
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 11:03 AM
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Unveils First in the Nation Solar
Highway Installation 

 

 

 

Theodore R. Kulongoski

          Governor

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

August 7, 2008

 

Contact: 
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169

Shelley Snow (ODOT), 503-986-3438

Elaina Medina (PGE), 503-464-8790 

 

Governor Unveils First in the Nation Solar Highway Installation 

Governor highlights partnership between PGE, US Bank and the Oregon
Department of Transportation

 

(Portland) - Governor Kulongoski today announced Oregon is installing
the nation's first solar demonstration project in a highway right of
way, moving the state a step further in its role as a leader in
renewable power development. The project is the result of collaboration
with Portland General Electric (PGE), US Bank and the Oregon Department
of Transportation (ODOT), and the materials and installation will be
provided by Oregon companies. 

 

"Before the year is over, this ground will hold the nation's first Solar
Highway project, and Oregon will make history using the power of the sun
to light this interchange," Governor Ted Kulongoski said.  "More
importantly, this project will represent a new era for energy in Oregon.
It will represent a step forward toward our vision of an energy
independent Oregon - and it will represent the endless opportunities
before us to chart this course of clean, reliable and renewable energy
for our state."

 

The Governor and ODOT, in partnership with PGE and US Bank, unveiled the
project that will help light the way for drivers at the Interstate 5 and
Interstate 205 interchange in Tualatin. Governor Kulongoski, PGE
President and CEO Peggy Fowler, and Oregon Transportation Commission
Chair Gail Achterman broke ground on the project, placing the first of
594 solar panels.

 

The solar highway demonstration project is an "all Oregon" effort -
Oregon companies will supply materials, design and install this
collaborative project. SolarWorld AG of Hillsboro will supply the solar
panels, and PV Powered, Inc. of Bend will supply the inverter.  

 

"PGE is committed to developing and promoting more solar power in
Oregon," said Peggy Fowler.  "We appreciate the innovative approach the
Governor and ODOT are taking to support our solar industry and make
Oregon first in solar highways."

 

The 104-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system - covering about 8,000 square
feet and roughly the length of two football fields - will produce about
112,000 kilowatt hours a year, or 28 percent of the 400,000 kilowatt
hours used to light the interchange. The $1.3 million project is
expected to be completed and online in December 2008. 

 

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

 

The project will be 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.

 

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