Solar incentive pilot project again proves popular

Another customer allotment will be available in early April 2011

PHOTO : Climate Change Connection

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - It took just five minutes to fill all available slots in the second installment of a new pilot program that encourages Oregon electric utility customers to install solar panels to generate power.

An estimated 128 projects gained initial approval, claiming the amount of electrical generation set aside for this second allotment. A total 947 kilowatts of capacity was available to Pacific Power customers proposing projects of 10 kilowatts or smaller. Mid-sized systems, from 10 kilowatts to 100 kilowatts, vied for 534 kilowatts of capacity.

Preliminary analysis shows that 121 applications involved projects 10 kilowatts or less and seven were for projects between 10 and 100 kilowatts.

Under provisions of the law that created the pilot project, the price utilities pay for power from these solar projects goes up or down depending on how quickly the allotment is filled. The popularity of the July opening caused prices for 15-year contracts offered for the October allotment to be reduced by about 10 percent from July levels. The July allotment was filled in about 15 minutes.

Overall, the program aims to bring 25 megawatts of solar power online in Oregon during the next four years. This capacity is divided proportionally among the state's three privately owned electric utilities—Pacific Power, Portland General Electric and Idaho Power—based on their relative customer bases. The capacity is further divided by year and by size of installation.

Another customer allotment will be available in early April 2011 and then again every six months for the length of the pilot program. Customers who had hoped to gain approval today will need to attempt to sign up again in April.

For more information on the program, go to: www.pacificpower.net/oregonsolar.