Hillsboro Uses Green Power to Achieve Many Goals

Solar power in the Pacific Northwest? Isn’t that the region known for months and months of non-stop rain? The answer to both questions is yes. While Oregon gets its fair share of “liquid sunshine” there definitely is still enough of the real thing to make for vibrant solar energy projects. In fact, the City of Hillsboro, Oregon, has brought three of its community goals together through a solar energy project located at one of its water reservoirs.

Constructed in 2008, the City installed 570 solar panels at its Evergreen Reservoir and in their short operation the panels have already generated 53 MWh of power. The project was made possible with the assistance of the Oregon Energy Trust and a new state program called the Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) that incents renewable energy projects. The BETC allowed the City to negotiate with Honeywell International Inc., for construction and operation of the project through a transferred credit of $225,000. From there, the City was able to enter into a long term power agreement which will save city ratepayers over time.

It’s always been a goal of the City to be responsible with ratepayer funds and this project will clearly provide an energy cost savings. The agreement between the City and Honeywell sets an initial power rate with a capped escalation of 3% per year over the next 20 years. Current solar power costs are relatively the same under the agreement as they would have been. However, looking at conservative estimates of projected energy costs, ratepayers will be saving within 5 years. Over the term of the agreement, total savings of approximately 14% are projected. The Water Department is using this project as a pilot; construction of two new 15-million gallon reservoirs and a 50 mgd treatment plant expansion is planned in the next 10 years, and the department is planning to incorporate solar installations in the design phases for those projects.

A second goal of the City is to be a prudent environmental steward. This project certainly fits that bill through the creation of green power; it eliminates an estimated 64 metric tons of CO2 emissions a year and reduces the need for expansion of conventional power plants.

Hillsboro also strives to aggressively support its local businesses. One way to meet this goal is to purchase locally manufactured goods. It happens that Hillsboro is rapidly becoming a center for the solar energy manufacturing industry. To support this new industry, the City required the panels used in this project be purchased from newly-arrived solar manufacturer SolarWorld.

“This is truly one of those win, win, win type of projects. It’s good for the environment, saves our customers money, and supports our local businesses. We will definitely be evaluating more of these projects in the future,” said Hillsboro Water Director, Kevin Hanway.

Check out the project’s energy production and environmental offsets through a link on the Department’s website, at http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/Water/Solar.aspx. For more information about this innovative project contact Tacy Steele, Water Programs Coordinator: tacys@ci.hillsboro.or.us.