State plans solar highway project
PORTLAND (AP) — The Oregon Department of Transportation is rolling out the nation’s first solar panel project on a major U.S. highway on Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 near Tualatin.
By year’s end the row of solar panels about 5 feet wide and two football fields long will begin generating enough electricity to PGE’s grid to provide 28 percent of the energy needed to power lights at the interchange at night.
It will give PGE its first ownership stake in a solar project and generate business for two new Oregon solar manufacturers, SolarWorld, a German company with operations in Hillsboro, and PV power of Bend.
“These are the kinds of economic opportunities that we are creating for all of Oregon as a result of our commitment to an energy-independent Oregon,” Gov. Ted Kulongoski said.
ODOT will pay PGE standard commercial energy rates by using state and federal tax credits.
Read Full Article Here
