Installation begins on TriMet's first solar project along the MAX line
November 28, 2011
Work begins Tuesday in downtown Portland
Starting tomorrow, solar panels will be installed at the South Terminus of the MAX Green and Yellow lines at SW Jackson Street near Portland State University. It will be the first solar energy project utilized along TriMet's 52-mile MAX light rail system. When completed, it will produce approximately 65,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually, offsetting energy used by site lighting and two light rail electrical system buildings. The excess energy produced will add clean energy to the Portland General Electric grid. This clean energy is equivalent to reducing 50 tons of carbon dioxide per year or the equivalent of the CO2 capture of an existing 19-acre urban forest.
WHAT: Installation begins on 253 solar modules on TriMet's South Terminus MAX substation and signal-communications building. Installation is expected to last up to four weeks.
WHEN: Work begins on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Crews will begin work at 7 a.m.; TriMet Agency Architect Bob Hastings and a representative from REC Solar will be on site from 10-11 a.m. to explain the project and answer questions.
WHERE: TriMet's South Terminus of the MAX Green and Yellow lines
SW Jackson between 5th and 6th avenues
Active construction site access
The site can be viewed from SW 5th Avenue. Safety gear is required to enter the site, including hard hats, closed-toe shoes and safety vests.
Renewable energy generated by the solar panel system will go directly into Portland General Electric's power grid through a power purchasing agreement, offsetting the energy required to power onsite lighting and electrical systems/buildings.
TriMet will monitor the site's energy output and performance, and provide the data to Portland State University for research and education purposes.
REC Solar, which has served as a key system design and engineering resource for the project, will be installing the solar modules manufactured by SolarWorld of Hillsboro, Ore.
"Installation of solar panels at the South Terminus furthers TriMet's commitment to including sustainable practices in our projects and systems," said TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane. "REC Solar and SolarWorld have been great partners in bringing renewable energy to the MAX system in downtown Portland."
Project funding
The cost of the project is $366,000 with $132,000 in total grants from an Energy Trust of Oregon grant and a Clean Wind Fund Grant. MAX Green Line capital funds toward the project equal $234,000, 60 percent of the funds come from federal government funds that are dedicated to capital transit projects only. TriMet's investment is $11,232 and when you subtract the annual base credit of $4,500, it will take less than three years to cover TriMet's investment.
Future sustainable elements at South Terminus
As funding allows, plans call for vertical axis wind turbines to be added to catenary poles at South Terminus, providing more renewable energy for the site. The South Terminus already has several sustainable components, including on-site stormwater treatment, low energy site and exterior building lighting, and site components created with materials originally salvaged from the Mall during construction of the light rail alignment.
About REC Solar
REC Solar is an industry-leading solar power provider specializing in grid-tied residential and commercial installations. With a local presence in all major solar markets in the U.S. and 100MW's of installed projects, REC Solar is committed to lowering the cost of solar power through efficient processes, innovative products and outstanding customer service. REC Solar has more than a dozen offices in six states (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Arizona and New Jersey). For additional information on REC Solar visit www.recsolar.com or call 888.OK.SOLAR (888-657-6527).
About SolarWorld (www.SolarWorld.com)
SolarWorld is a worldwide leader in offering brand-name, high quality, crystalline solar-power technology. Its strength is its fully integrated solar production. From silicon as the raw material through wafers, cells and modules all the way to turn-key solar systems of all sizes, the group combines all stages of the solar value chain. The central business activity is selling quality modules into the installation and distribution trades and crystalline wafers to the international solar cell industry. Group headquarters are located in Bonn, Germany. The group's largest production facilities operate in Freiberg, Germany and Hillsboro, Oregon. Sustainability is the basis of the group strategy. Under the name Solar2World, the group supports care projects using off-grid solar-power solutions in developing countries, exemplifying sustainable economic development. Worldwide, SolarWorld employs about 3,500 people. SolarWorld AG has been quoted on the stock exchange since 1999 and today is listed on, among others, the TecDAX and ÖkoDAX as well as in the sustainability index NAI.