Oregon Launching First Solar Highway in the US

News Type: Event — Seeded on Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:29 AM EDT

Article Source: cleantechnica.com

us-news, alternative-energy, renewable-energy, oregon, solar-power, dot, photo-voltaics, solar-highway

Oregon is once again taking the lead with renewable energy by installing the country's first highway solar energy project. The project will consist of a 104 kW solar photovoltaic system that covers 8,000 square feet and produces 112,000 kWh each year. That's 28% of the energy needed to power the project's location, the Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 interchange in Tualatin.

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{"commentId":2472762,"authorDomain":"marilynl"}

Marilyn L

Electricity for the interchange will be provided by PGE. The solar panels will come into play by producing electricity during the day, giving the power to the PGE grid, and getting the equivalent amount of power back at night from PGE to power lighting on the highway.

{"commentId":2472762,"threadId":"333123","contentId":"1754276","authorDomain":"marilynl"}

2 votes

#1 - Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:30 AM EDT

{"commentId":2473105,"authorDomain":"DrKnow"}

Dr Know

Isn't exaggeration for effect a wonderful thing? This is NOT a solar highway. It is a solar farm at ONE interchange. I hope someone factored in the number of days they really get sun. It DOES rain in Oregon a LOT.

{"commentId":2473105,"threadId":"333123","contentId":"1754276","authorDomain":"DrKnow"}

3 votes

#2 - Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":2473133,"authorDomain":"DrKnow"}

Dr Know

I have checked on solar energy information in Oregon. The current estimates are that solar systems will take at least 25 years before the 'savings' exceeds the cost.

{"commentId":2473133,"threadId":"333123","contentId":"1754276","authorDomain":"DrKnow"}

2 votes

#2.1 - Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:31 PM EDT

{"commentId":2473676,"authorDomain":"tacitus13"}

Tacitus13

I have checked on solar energy information in Oregon. The current estimates are that solar systems will take at least 25 years before the 'savings' exceeds the cost.

Even so, it's not all about the money. It's less electricity generated by fossil fuels. Sure, it's one location and only a percentage at that. But it's an example to the rest of the country that there are alternatives, and hopefully this design can be improved upon. Probably would work much better in a sunny state, of course.

{"commentId":2473676,"threadId":"333123","contentId":"1754276","authorDomain":"tacitus13"}

2 votes

#2.2 - Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:42 PM EDT

{"commentId":2474500,"authorDomain":"marilynl"}

Marilyn L

I agree Tacitus. Every new idea is welcome, every test has some value. Why should the lights lighting highways not be powered by localized solar power, which could feed the grid during the day, use the power during the night. Yes, a test case, yes the title is a little overboard, but why not use the public domain lands next to public highways for power generation? And the more we do it, the better it will become, the cheaper too.

{"commentId":2474500,"threadId":"333123","contentId":"1754276","authorDomain":"marilynl"}

2 votes

#2.3 - Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":2477135,"authorDomain":"DrKnow"}

Dr Know

Exaggeration leads to high expectations. High expectations lead to greater disappointment. Greater disappointment leads to less enthusiasm for the expense in the future.

{"commentId":2477135,"threadId":"333123","contentId":"1754276","authorDomain":"DrKnow"}

2 votes

#2.4 - Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:22 PM EDT

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MARILYN L

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Oregon Launching First Solar Highway in the US

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