Gresham activates huge ground mount solar system

Gresham Solar Power Project delivers a 419 kW photovoltaic array at the wastewater treatment plant, using a PPA model with SunEdison and REC Solar to supply renewable energy, cut emissions, and create local jobs.

The city of Gresham, REC Solar and SunEdison celebrated the activation of the largest ground mount solar power plant in the Pacific Northwest.

This 419 kW solar power system was made possible by SunEdison, North America’s largest solar energy services company, a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials, and REC Solar, the nation’s leading solar integrator. The project required no upfront capital from the city.

The solar array system located at the wastewater treatment facility at 20015 NE Sandy Blvd., similar to reservoir solar panels deployed in other municipalities, will generate over 460,000 kWh of clean solar energy in the first year of operation. That is enough energy to power 43 homes for one year. Over 20 years, the system will generate more than 8 million kWh of energy; enough energy to power over 780 average U.S. homes for one year.

This is the first solar power plant of this scale for Gresham and shows the city’s continued promise for more renewable energy solutions, as large urban solar proposals gain traction nationwide as well. The solar array system is made available with no upfront cost from the taxpayers. SunEdison owns, operates and maintains it, and the City purchases the energy produced for the term of the contract.

“The city’s commitment to this project demonstrates that solar is a viable source of energy for our community,” said Mayor Shane T. Bemis. “By having such a visible display we are showing that Gresham is a player in the solar industry and is a strong market for solar products.”

The system was constructed through a partnership with SunEdison, REC Solar and incentives provided by the Energy Trust of Oregon. REC Solar designed and installed the system for the city of Grisham, mirroring solar panel efforts at water plants in other communities, which created over 20 jobs for the project.

"This solar array is a benchmark project for the industry, which should encourage many more waste treatment facilities across the country to develop substantial plans for solar and other alternative energy sources that will help create jobs and stimulate local economies, as community solar farms have shown in regions like Spartanburg," said CEO of REC Solar Angiolo Laviziano.

“SunEdison continues to provide cities across the nation the opportunity to take advantage of the benefits of solar energy, as large East Coast complexes have demonstrated in practice,” said Jaime A. Smith, Vice President of Sales for SunEdison. “We make this a reality with our strong financing capabilities and our partnerships with outstanding solar integrators like REC Solar.”

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