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PGE agrees 2.84MW solar power deal with enXco

Power utility Portland General Electric has agreed a 25-year power purchase agreement for two solar power plants being developed near Salem, Oregon.

The deal with renewable energy developer enXco will provide a total of 2.84 megawatts of DC generating capacity through two of the largest solar installations in the Pacific Northwest.

The companies said in a statement this would be enough power to supply about 2,300 homes with clean electricity.

Located in south eastern Yamhill County, the Bellevue Solar Project will provide 1.69MW of generating capacity, while the Yamhill Solar Project will provide 1.15MW.

enXco, which has its corporate HQ in San Diego, CA, will develop, build and own the solar installations, as well as operating and maintaining the thin-film solar facilities.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2011, with commercial operations starting up in July 2011.

Targets

Jim Lobdell, vice president for power operations and resource strategy at PGE, said the projects would help his company meet Oregon’s renewable energy targets.

The state requires utilities to source 25% of their electricity supplies from renewable energy by 2025.

He said: “Together with PGE’s other ground-based and rooftop arrays as well as strong support for residential and commercial customer-owned projects, these installations will help us grow solar in our state.”

enXco

Troy Gagliano, project developer with enXco said the project was the first solar development for enXco in the region.

Mr Gagliano said: “The local farmers have always harvested the sun to grow crops, and now they are able to benefit from the sun in another way. Solar energy diversifies their operations helping these farmers to not only survive, but thrive.”

The two solar projects are supported by nonprofit organization Energy Trust of Oregon.

“Our investment in these solar projects is an investment in a cleaner energy future for Oregon,” said Betsy Kauffman, senior program manager for Energy Trust of Oregon. “These projects are visible proof that Oregon is a great place for solar.”