Pacific Power Blue Sky Customers Give More Than $394,000 to Boost Community Solar Projects

Six community-based solar energy projects are receiving $394,750 in funding from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program.

“From Walla Walla to Coos Bay to Portland rooftops our customers are showing their deep commitment to building a renewable energy future,” said Pat Reiten, president of Pacific Power. “December is not usually the month to tout solar energy in the Northwest, but these projects are leading the way and we’re proud to be part of them through our Blue Sky customers.”

In addition to providing a market for new projects that bring more renewable energy into the region’s electric grid, Blue Sky renewable energy customers return money to local communities to fund small scale renewable energy projects like these.

“With nearly 39,000 of our customers making the choice to participate in our Blue Sky renewable energy program, we have some of the highest participation in the country,” said Pat Egan, vice president of customer and community affairs. “This interest allows us to work with our communities to provide additional benefits by funding on-the-ground, working renewable projects in communities throughout the Northwest. We’re thrilled to help our Blue Sky customers direct a portion of their funds to these worthwhile projects that help lead the way to even more renewable energy development.”

The largest single project announced in this latest grant cycle is a solar array atop Harvey Scott Elementary School in Northeast Portland. The array of photovoltaic cells can generate as much as 143 kilowatts of electricity, enough to potentially supply 49 percent of the school’s annual power needs.

WASHINGTON

Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla, Washington): 40 kW, Solar

Blue Sky Funds received: $70,000

The college’s William A. Grant Water and Environmental Center is installing a rooftop solar panel that will act as an educational tool for the teachers, students and other community members. Estimated completion date for this project is September 2010.

OREGON

Portland Public Schools: Harvey Scott, 143 kW, Solar; Roseway Heights, 54 kW, Solar; Pioneer Columbia, 52 kW, Solar

Blue Sky Funds received: $80,000

While modernizing some of its buildings, the Portland Public School District installed the largest K-12-based solar project in the state of Oregon. These three installations (total 249 kW) are part of a larger effort involving nine Portland schools undergoing similar remodels and installations. This project ties directly into the schools’ curriculums. These projects are already finished and in operation.

Wallowa County Fairgrounds (Enterprise, Ore.): 30 kW, Solar

Blue Sky Funds received: $54,000

Roof-mounted system that will be used to educate local residents and visitors to the fairgrounds, the area’s irrigators and farmers, as well as allow schools to integrate generation information to their science curriculum. Estimated completion date for this project is fall of 2010.

Port of Hood River Halyard Building (Hood River, Ore.): 23.1 kW, Solar

Blue Sky Funds received: $64,500

A new Silver LEED certified building, the first new building on the Hood River waterfront in 25 years, will include a full-width roof-top solar array and partial solar shade array. The Port plans to collaborate with a sustainability class at Hood River High School to involve the students in the design, installation and monitoring of the facility’s performance. Estimated completion date for this project is summer of 2010.

City of Corvallis Fire Station (Corvallis, Ore.): 15 kW, Solar

Blue Sky Funds received: $78,750

Corvallis’ Fire Station No. 4 and community center will soon have a 15 kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on its roof. This installation on the south-facing roof of this building will provide educational benefits to local school districts and colleges that are invited to tour the facility. As part of the project, an information kiosk will be installed showing the historical and current electricity consumed at the facility. Estimated completion date for this project is fall of 2011.

Coos Bay Visitor Center (Coos Bay, Ore.): 15.58 kW, Solar

Blue Sky Funds received: $47,500

The City of Coos Bay is building a new state-of-the-art visitor center that will include a business development center to nurture the development of local entrepreneurial companies. The center will be the first photovoltaic system installed on any of the city’s buildings and as a result is expected to generate additional ideas and opportunities among local businesses and homeowners on ways to work together to build a sustainable energy future. Estimated completion date for this project is April 2010.

Return to January 2010 Western Energy News

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