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Solar power in Oregon

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Solar panels at a winery in Yamhill County

Solar power has been growing in the U.S. state of Oregon in recent years due to new technological improvements and a variety of regulatory actions and financial incentives enacted by the state government.

Government policy

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Solar panel installation, Salem

The Government of Oregon has taken a variety of actions to encourage solar energy use and manufacturing within the state. A 2017 law states that homeowners associations cannot ban solar panels.[1]

Net metering

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The state has a net metering program that allows for large installations of up to 2 MW of on-site electrical generation.[2] A report released in 2009 by the Network for New Energy Choices and Vote Solar gave the state's net metering system an "A" grade, a rating only 9 other states received.[3]

Renewable portfolio standard

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The state adopted a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in 2007 which requires that 25% of Oregon's electricity come from renewable resources by 2025.[4] The RPS was revised in 2009 to include a separate 20 MW solar photovoltaic requirement by 2020.[5]

Construction budget mandate

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Passed in the 2007 legislative session, House Bill 2620, requires that public entities such as state and local governments spend 1.5% of the construction budget for new or renovated buildings on on-site solar technologies.[4][6]

Financial incentives

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Solar Within Reach

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Solar Within Reach is a program through the Energy Trust of Oregon that provides incentives for income-qualified families. Adding a solar power system to your home can greatly reduce your energy bills, and this program is designed to help offset the costs of installing such a system, so you can reap the benefits without a big startup cost.[7]

Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program

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In 2019, HB 2618 was passed, which created a new ODOE solar rebate program through the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE). This rebate program allows residential solar energy customers as well as low-income service providers in Oregon to receive rebates for solar energy systems, whether they are stand-alone systems or paired with a solar energy storage system.[8]

Residential Energy Tax Credit

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The Residential Energy Tax Credit (RETC) program aims to encourage residents to invest in energy efficient appliances or residential-scale power producing systems such as roof-mounted solar or small wind setups by offering a tax credit that covers a certain percentage of the cost of eligible equipment.[9]

Business Energy Tax Credit

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The Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) program aims to encourage private businesses to invest in renewable energy in Oregon by offering a tax credit that covers up to 50% of eligible renewable projects such as power stations or manufacturing factories with a maximum limit of $20 million per project.[4]

State Energy Loan Program

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The State Energy Loan Program aims to encourage investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy production by offering long-term, fixed-rate loans to all types of organizations and individuals with a maximum cap at $20 million per loan.[10] From the time it was first authorized by voters in 1980, the program has made over 700 loans worth a total of $335 million.[11]

Feed-in tariff

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The Oregon Legislative Assembly established a feed-in tariff for solar power modeled on feed-in tariffs in Germany,[12] allowing owners of solar installations to be paid for the electricity they produce.[13] On May 28, 2010, the Oregon Public Utility Commission approved the trial feed-in tariff rules.[14] Under the approved rules, residents and businesses who install solar systems can enter a 15-year contract with investor-owned utilities in the state where they will receive guaranteed monthly payments over the life of the contract with rates ranging from $0.55 to $0.65 per kWh.[15] Funding will come from an estimated one half of 1% increase in electricity rates.[15] The trial program ends after four years and the entire project's size is limited to a maximum 25 MW.[14] Program applications are accepted biannually on April 1 and October 1. The final year of the pilot program is 2013.[16]

Manufacturing

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SolarWorld plant in Hillsboro, Oregon

Many solar manufacturing companies have chosen to operate in Oregon because of its cheap hydroelectric power which is important for manufacturing and because of its close proximity to California's large market.[17] The inexpensive hydroelectric power has also contributed to the high-tech manufacturing companies located in the state's Silicon Forest as well as several data centers such as Google's Project 02.[18]

Oregon was one of the only three states (along with Michigan and Ohio) to manufacture more than 100 MW of solar panels during 2009.[19] SolarWorld's plant in Hillsboro, Oregon is the largest solar cell manufacturing factory in North America and is planned to produce 500 MW of panels annually by 2012.[20][21]

Companies

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Solar companies with operations in Oregon include, Sunbridge Solar, Precision Solar & Heating, Energy Solutions, Avila Solar Drafting LLC, Solar Plan Sets LLC, Power Northwest, Tesla Solar, Grape Solar, and more.[22]

Notable projects

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Main article: List of power stations in Oregon

Solar panels on State Capitol

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In 2002 Oregon became the first state to install solar panels on its state capitol building.[23] The solar panels were installed on the Oregon State Capitol building, although they are not visible from the street.

Solar highways

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The 104kW solar highway along the interchange of Interstate 5 and I-205 near Tualatin, Oregon in December 2008.

In 2008, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced the completion of a 104 kW solar panel project along the interchange of Interstate 5 and I-205 near Tualatin, Oregon.[24] The project is the first solar highway in Oregon and the first in the United States.

In January 2012, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced the completion of its second solar highway project with a 1.75 megawatt capacity at its Baldock Safety Rest Area south of Wilsonville.[25]

A 165 kW expansion to the first project is under study, as is a potential third solar highway project with a capacity of 3 megawatts at ODOT's maintenance storage facility in West Linn.[26][27] The 3 megawatt project in West Linn, Oregon would be the largest solar highway in the world, slightly passing the 2.8 megawatt record holder in Germany.[28]

U.S. Department of Energy partnership

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Portland, Oregon is one of the 25 cities in the United States Department of Energy's Solar America Cities program. The program's goal is to "rapidly increase the use and integration of solar energy in communities across the country."[29]

Statistics

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US annual average solar energy received by a latitude tilt photovoltaic cell (modeled).
Oregon electricity production by type

Potential generation

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Solar energy is the state's most abundant energy resource and estimates have placed the state's potential electricity production from solar power at 68,000,000 MWhs annually, an amount larger than the state's total electricity consumption of 46,457,000 MWh in 2005.[30][31]

Installed capacity

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Oregon Grid-Connected PV Capacity (MW)[32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]
Year Capacity Change % Change
2005 1.2 0
2006 1.7 0.5 42%
2007 2.8 1.1 65%
2008 7.7 4.9 175%
2009 14.0 6.3 82%
2010 23.9 9.9 71%
2011 35.8 11.9 50%
2012 56.4 20.6 58%
2013 62.8 6.4 11%
2014 69.2 6.4 10%
2015 90 20.8 30%
2016 215 125 138%
2017 461 246 114%
2018 591 130 28%
2019 733.4 142.4 24%
2020 966.4 233 31%
2021 1,208.2 241.8 25%
2022 1,385 176.8 %

Utility-scale generation

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Utility-scale solar generation in Oregon (GWh)[41]
Year Total Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2012 7 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0
2013 19 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2014 24 1 1 2 2 2 3 2 3 3 2 2 1
2015 23 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 1
2016 41 1 2 2 3 4 3 4 4 5 4 5 4
2017 194 7 8 15 16 20 22 20 18 17 23 14 14
2018 572 21 31 39 50 61 67 65 67 64 48 33 26
2019 677 30 32 55 63 69 84 82 80 63 58 36 25
2020 1,078 22 63 74 107 109 135 155 134 103 92 45 39
2021 1,258 63 79 134 163 176 176 171 154 142

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Legislature says homeowners associations can't bar rooftop solar – Portland Business Journal". Archived from the original on September 1, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  2. ^ Stoel Rives LLP (August 8, 2007). "Oregon Revises Net Metering Rules". RenewableEnergyWorld.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  3. ^ Knutson, Ryan (November 27, 2009). "Oregon Net Metering Policy Highlighted". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on December 3, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c "Oregon Approves 50% Solar Tax Credit". RenewableEnergyWorld.com. July 3, 2007. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  5. ^ Law, Steve (August 13, 2009). "Heyday for solar?". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  6. ^ Conservation Division (January 14, 2009). "1.5% for Solar Technology in Public Buildings". Oregon Department of Energy. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  7. ^ Walters, Adam. "Solar Within Reach 2020 Guide". Sunbridge Solar. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  8. ^ Walters, Adam. "New Oregon Solar Rebates for Battery Backup". Sunbridge Solar. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  9. ^ Conservation Division (April 26, 2010). "Residential Energy Tax Credits". Oregon Department of Energy. Archived from the original on March 8, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  10. ^ Staff (August 1, 2007). "Energy Loan Program Questions & Answers". Oregon Department of Energy. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  11. ^ Oregon Office of Energy (March 2008). "State of Oregon Energy Plan 2007–2009" (PDF). Oregon Department of Energy. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 5, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  12. ^ Hsuan, Amy (February 19, 2010). "Oregon's solar future could hinge on copying Germany". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on February 23, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  13. ^ "Oregon's Feed-in Tariff: Is This The Best Deal In Solar?". Imagine Energy. March 19, 2013. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  14. ^ a b Staff (May 28, 2010). "Commission Approves Residential and Business Solar Incentives". Oregon Public Utility Commission. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  15. ^ a b Read, Richard (June 30, 2010). "A pilot project starting Thursday pays customers to generate solar power". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  16. ^ "Oregon Readies To Reopen Feed-in Tariff Program For Commercial Solar". REC Solar Inc. February 19, 2013. Archived from the original on August 1, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  17. ^ Redell, Charles (June 9, 2008). "Where does green business thrive?". Sustainable Industries. Archived from the original on January 25, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  18. ^ Markoff, John and Saul Hansell (June 14, 2006). "Hiding in Plain Sight, Google Seeks More Power". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 6, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  19. ^ Mehta, Shyam (September 8, 2009). "Bringing It All Back Home: PV Manufacturing in America". Green Tech Media. Archived from the original on July 20, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
  20. ^ "SolarWorld's profits, sales up". Portland Business Journal. May 5, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  21. ^ "Timbers, SolarWorld Form Landmark Jersey Partnership". Forbes. February 24, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.[dead link‍]
  22. ^ Read, Richard (June 2, 2010). "Grape Solar takes wraps off expansion plans in Eugene". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on June 6, 2010. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  23. ^ Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (August 2002). "Energy Office Installs PV on Capitol". United States Department of Energy. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  24. ^ Rivera, Dylan (August 7, 2008). "Oregon installs first highway solar project". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  25. ^ Hamilton, Allison (February 15, 2012). "Innovative Partnerships Program: Baldock Solar Highway". Oregon Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  26. ^ Hamilton, Allison (January 24, 2012). "Innovative Partnerships Program". Oregon Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  27. ^ Zheng, Yuxing (July 26, 2009). "Debate begins on ODOT plan to install up to 17,000 solar panels on I-205". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  28. ^ Roberts, Anthony (August 13, 2009). "Solar highway: Is it a bright idea?". West Linn Tidings. Retrieved April 20, 2013.[permanent dead link‍]
  29. ^ Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (November 2, 2009). "Solar American Cities – About". United States Department of Energy. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved August 1, 2010.
  30. ^ Renewable Energy Atlas (2002). "Oregon Renewable Energy Resources" (PDF). The Energy Foundation. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 26, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  31. ^ Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (June 25, 2008). "Electric Power and Renewable Energy in Oregon". United States Department of Energy. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved June 20, 2010.
  32. ^ Sherwood, Larry (August 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2011" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  33. ^ Sherwood, Larry (June 2011). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2010" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived (PDF) from the original on September 4, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
  34. ^ Sherwood, Larry (July 2010). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2009" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 25, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  35. ^ Sherwood, Larry (July 2009). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2008" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  36. ^ Sherwood, Larry (August 2008). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2007" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Retrieved July 24, 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  37. ^ Sherwood, Larry (July 2009). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2008" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  38. ^ Sherwood, Larry (July 2012). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2012" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). p. 16. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  39. ^ Sherwood, Larry (July 2014). "U.S. Solar Market Trends 2013" (PDF). Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). Archived (PDF) from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  40. ^ "Oregon Solar". Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  41. ^ "Electricity Data Browser". U.S. Department of Energy. March 28, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
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