Portland, Ore. (September 28, 2006) – Portland's newest elementary school and a Habitat for Humanity house, both part of the New Columbia development in north Portland, are benefiting from the sun's powerful energy. Rosa Parks Elementary School, located at 8960 N. Woolsey Ave., and the recently completed Salazar family Habitat for Humanity house at 8908 N. Dwight Ave., have each received solar panel arrays funded by a partnership of Portland General Electric (PGE), Energy Trust of Oregon and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF).
The two solar projects are located within a short block of one another in Portland's Portsmouth neighborhood and share a special connection: the new homeowners in the Habitat house have a son who just started first grade at the school.
"I think all of the partners involved here are excited by the opportunity to be part of this effort, both to support the community and to demonstrate the value and benefits of renewable energy," said Bruce Barney, PGE solar specialist. "PGE customers lead the nation in enrollment in renewable power programs, and this is one way we can reinforce the importance of their commitment to protecting the environment and building a sustainable energy future for our region."
Community and school leaders, students and representatives of the donating organizations participated in a dedication ceremony today to celebrate the public-private partnership that made these solar installations possible.
"Oregon has enormous potential to take advantage of the sun as a clean, renewable and endlessly available resource. Projects like this will go a long way to educate the next generation about how solar energy can be used," said Kacia Brockman, solar program manager at Energy Trust. "Energy Trust is dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy generation, and we are extremely proud to help fund these solar power projects at New Columbia."
The solar arrays, installed by Portland-based contractor Christenson Electric, Inc., are each rated to produce 1.1 kilowatts (kW) of electricity, and will each offset about 1,400 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually. A 1.1 kW system typically costs $10,000 in the Portland area before federal and state tax credits and Energy Trust incentives are applied. After tax credits and incentives, a homeowner's cost could be as little as $2,225.
Salazar Habitat for Humanity Solar House
The Habitat for Humanity house built for the Salazar family is the first Habitat dwelling in Portland to have a solar array installed. The Salazars have two children: a 3-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son. The solar electric system on the house will generate about one-third of the family's yearly electricity usage.
Rosa Parks Solar 4R School
Rosa Parks Elementary School opened on Wednesday, Sept. 6, and serves grades K-6. The city's newest school is participating in the BEF's growing Solar 4R Schools program, which provides students with a "hands-on" education about the features and benefits of solar energy. There is no cost to the school for the solar panels or for the accompanying Solar 4R Schools educational materials. The panels were installed on the school building's south side. Each participating school in the Solar 4R School program receives a Web-based curriculum package that provides real-time data on the panels' electrical output under varying exposure to the sun. An interactive kiosk in the school's lobby allows students and visitors to monitor and learn about the project.
The panels will help the school teach science and math, and they will also increase awareness of how energy choices can impact the environment and create a more sustainable energy future.
Four other schools in Portland have already received solar panels as part of the Solar 4R Schools program with support from BEF, PGE and Energy Trust: da Vinci Arts Middle School, Cleveland High School, and Lincoln High School in Portland Public Schools, and H.B. Lee Middle School in the Reynolds School District. Each participating school has a strong commitment from its administration, and a similar commitment from a designated solar "champion" (e.g., a teacher or other school staff member) who will lead the educational efforts.
The three program sponsors covered the purchase and installation costs for the panels and related expenses at all five schools (including Rosa Parks). BEF has also established the program at six schools in other Oregon communities. More information is online at www.b-e-f.org/renewables.
PGE's contribution comes from funds provided by the company's Clean WindSM renewable power customers. In addition to reducing their own environmental impact, Clean WindSM customers support renewable power demonstration projects and development of renewable power resources. PGE ranks first in the nation among utilities for sales of renewable power to residential customers and second in total renewable sales volume. Details on the company's renewable power options can be found at www.PortlandGeneral.com/renewables.
About Portland General Electric
Portland General Electric, headquartered in Portland, Ore., is a fully integrated electric utility that serves more than 791,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Oregon. Visit PGE's Web site at www.PortlandGeneral.com.
About Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc.
Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency and clean renewable energy for Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Avista and Cascade Natural Gas. For more information, visit the Energy Trust Web site, www.energytrust.org, or call 1-866-ENTRUST.
About the Bonneville Environmental Foundation
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation, is a national non-profit organization, established in 1998 to restore watershed ecosystems and further the development and use of new renewable energy resources. Through revenues generated from the sales of green power products, BEF funds projects that restore damaged watersheds and support new renewable energy projects from solar, wind and biomass. BEF pioneered the sale of Green Tags in 2000 and has helped establish national standards for certification and trading.
More information is available on the Web at www.b-e-f.org or www.GreenTagsUSA.org.
