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

PORTLAND, Ore. – 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.

 

The Blue Sky program provides Pacific Power customers an easy way to support renewable energy development in the region. When customers enroll in Blue Sky, Pacific Power purchases renewable energy credits from regional renewable energy facilities. This guarantees that electricity from these renewable resources is delivered into the regional power pool and helps drive more new renewable energy development in the region. Electricity produced by renewable energy facilities helps offset electricity generated from other, nonrenewable sources, creating measurable environmental benefits.

           

Customers have a range of options when it comes to buying Blue Sky renewable energy: Blue Sky Block, Usage or Habitat. Whichever option they choose, Blue Sky allows customers to offset emissions from their energy usage by supporting renewable resources for as little as $1.95 per month. Participation in any of these plans is optional, and customers can change their level of participation or withdraw at any time. Pacific Power customers who want to learn more about which option is best for them may call Pacific Power at 800-769-3717 or visit www.pacificpower.net/bluesky.

About Blue Sky

Strong customer support has enabled the Blue Sky program to be instrumental in the creation of more federally recognized Green Power Communities than any other program in the nation. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has ranked Blue Sky fifth or better in the nation for the sixth consecutive year in the number of customers buying renewable power and for renewable power sales volume. Blue Sky was named national 2007 Green Power Program of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program is Green-e Energy Certified, which means the renewable energy supported meets the rigorous national environmental and consumer-protection standards established by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. For more information on Green-e Energy, visit www.green-e.org/energy. Nearly 39,000 customers in the Northwest are part of Blue Sky.

 

About Pacific Power

Pacific Power strives to promote innovation and works with customers and communities to increase the visibility of renewable energy generation technologies through education and community outreach. Pacific Power’s headquarters are in Portland and the company provides electric service to more than 734,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. As part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power provide more than 1.7 million customers in six Western states with reliable, efficient energy. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment.