Ground Broken on Solar Energy Project in Oregon

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http://www.renewableaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=49295

Energy Trust of Oregon is collaborating with Multnomah County officials in Oregon to develop 1,000,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year of solar power on County-owned facilities at little to no cost to County taxpayers.

"This will be the biggest solar project we have supported and certainly one of the most visionary. We expect it to be a model that other Oregon counties and cities can follow."-- Margie Harris, Energy Trust, executive director

The project would more than double the state's current installed solar electricity capacity. The plan calls for the County to purchase the power produced on the rooftops at the same rates citizens are currently paying on electric utilities.

The County, in partnership with Energy Trust of Oregon, will create a virtual power plant mounted on the roofs of select County buildings from which the County will receive at least 20 years of renewable energy.

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