Q&A on Multnomah County’s Solar Energy Initiative
Have questions about the Solar Energy Initiative? We have answers.
1. What exactly is the County doing?
● Installing rooftop solar panels on County buildings to generate 1,000,000 kWh/year of clean, renewable energy. This will double the total installed solar generating capacity in the State of Oregon.
2. How much will this cost County taxpayers?
● Thanks to generous support from the Energy Trust of Oregon, and newly expanded tax credits, there will be little or no additional cost to Multnomah County for this project.
3. What has made it possible for the County to do this now?
● A convergence of positive factors is helping to make this project feasible:
a) Improving technology has driven down the cost of solar energy.
b) The Legislature’s recent expansion of Oregon Business Energy Tax Credits.
c) Increasing awareness among investors of the tax credit’s value.
4. Can you make solar energy in Multnomah County’s cloudy and rainy climate?
● Yes. Even in the winter the panels will produce power. And our long, sunny summer days are so productive, they make up for our less productive cloudy days, which means our region is a very viable climate for solar production.
5. What is a virtual power plant?
● Unlike a traditional power plant our energy production won’t all happen in one place, so we use the term “virtual.” But the power generated is very real—it is the same as the regular electricity on the power grid, except it comes directly from the sun.
6. What are the steps in completing a project like this?
● With help from Energy Trust of Oregon, the County will identify the best locations and layout for rooftop photovoltaic panels.
● The County will issue a formal Request For Proposals (RFP) based on a project plan.
● We will select the most suitable project contractors and financing partners from the responders to the RFP; then we will roll-out installation of the solar project.
7. Who puts up the capital to purchase and install the solar panels?
● A company or individual who wants to take advantage of the generous state and federal tax credits that apply to this project will invest the seed capital.
● Energy Trust of Oregon will also put in part of the seed capital, as well as other support.
8. How does this help our community?
● Reduces our greenhouse gas emissions and lowers our carbon footprint.
● Clean, home-grown energy sources reduce our dependence on foreign energy.
● Supports local economic development in solar and alternative energy industries.
● Taxpayers would be protected from future utility rate increases on the portion of our electricity generated by our solar “virtual power plant.”
Posted on June 27, 2007
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