According to the Oregon Department of Energy’s Oregon Solar Electric Guide, the Willamette Valley receives as much sun annually as the United States average. However, Southern Oregon receives 20 to 30 percent more than that – as much or more than Florida—as this map from the University of Oregon Solar Radiation Monitoring Lab shows. Energy Trust helps Oregonians generate power from this abundant resource by providing information and incentives to make investing in solar energy systems easier. Energy Trust also supports a network of qualified solar trade ally contractors who understand Energy Trust eligibility requirements for solar installations. Energy Trust and our solar trade allies are busy in Southern Oregon on several exciting projects. Here are just a few:
Christmas Valley project
As one of the sunniest locations in Oregon, Christmas Valley was a logical site to locate Oregon’s largest solar electric installation to date. Energy Trust has facilitated the project’s development by committing an incentive of up to $5 million, based on the project’s above-market costs. The Christmas Valley project will be able to generate 5 megawatts of electricity at capacity. This is made possible in part because the solar electric panels will be mounted on a motorized tracking system that will follow the sun throughout the day, increasing annual power production by 20 percent over a fixed-tilt solar array. Portland General Electric will purchase the power from this facility, which will interconnect through Midstate Electric. This will help PGE meet its renewable energy obligations to the state.
Small-scale solar projects
Local businesses and organizations are also integrating solar into their daily operations. Energy Trust has helped Klamath Community College install a solar electric array on its new technology center, along with energy-efficient heat recovery systems, and provided incentives for Rogue Disposal & Recycling to install a solar electric system that is projected to produce 75,500 kilowatt hours per year.
Learn more about Energy Trust residential and commercial solar incentives or find an Energy Trust Solar trade ally contractor.