FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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3CSolar Activates Largest Ground-Mounted
Solar PV System in Clackamas County
Two acre, 500-kW system to power 53 homes per year
Portland, Oregon -- June 30, 2011—The largest ground-mount solar power array in Clackamas County will be activated today in Aurora, Oregon.
The 500-kW system located at the Lever family farm covers approximately two acres and will produce an estimated 575,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, enough energy to power 53 homes per year. The fixed-tilt array uses 2,128 poly-crystalline solar panels from Schuco, inverters from PVPowered of Bend, Ore., and an energy monitoring system from DECK Monitoring of Portland.
The system is owned by 3CSolar, solar financing specialists, of Portland, Oregon. 3CSolar will supply power to Portland General Electric (PGE) under a 15-year interconnection agreement as part of PGE’s Solar Payment Option program initiated in 2010. 3CSolar will receive payments from PGE for the electricity generated by their qualifying solar installation.
Instrumental to the financing of the project was Umpqua Bank. “We selected Umpqua Bank as our financial partner in this project because of their expertise and commitment to ‘“green”’ lending,” said Chris Copp, co-owner of 3CSolar. “They are excited about renewable energy, understand the solar business and were invaluable in helping us outline the project provisions for this first-of-its-kind, small utility grade system.”
The project was developed and installed by NW Photon Energy, a Lake Oswego-based firm specializing in turnkey commercial and utility scale photovoltaic (PV) solar systems in the Pacific Northwest. NW Photon Energy selected the Lever site in Clackamas County given the county’s 5 percent more annual sunlight over Multnomah County. In addition, the farm’s close proximity to Portland provided tight logistical control over subcontractors and transportation costs.
“Despite site and weather challenges, including a 3-4 percent grade which required extensive site preparation and excessive spring rains that delayed required soil tests, the project came in on time and on budget,” said Kirk Cameron, President of NW Photon Energy. “Not only does this project help us provide renewable energy but it helps diversify the Lever family farming operations. It’s a win for both parties,” added Cameron. NW Photon Energy will operate and maintain the system.
The installation is the largest, commercial ground-mount system in Clackamas County. “It is a great source of energy for our community,” said Susan Ziolko, Supervisor of the Office of Sustainability for Clackamas County. “We are excited about this system because it demonstrates that Clackamas County can be a strong market for future solar projects.”
“3CSolar is pleased to be part of growing solar in Oregon and helping meet the state’s renewable energy standard of providing 25 percent renewable energy by 2025,” said Copp. “Our investment in this project is an investment in Oregon’s clean energy future.”
About 3CSolar
3CSolar, located in Portland, Oregon, was founded to finance utility-scale solar projects from project development through construction and installation.
For more information, contact: Chris Copp at (503) 807-3471.
About NW Photon Energy
NW Photon Energy of Lake Oswego, Oregon, is an active provider, designer and installer of turnkey photovoltaic (PV) solar systems in the Pacific Northwest. They offer a full range of services in connection with the planning, development, implementation, operations and financing of commercial and utility scale solar applications. NWPE is an approved Energy Trust Trade Ally.
For more information, contact: Kirk Cameron at (503) 697-4482.
About Umpqua Bank
Umpqua Bank, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: UMPQ). Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The Company has been recognized for the past five years in a row on FORTUNE magazine’s list of the country’s “100 Best Companies To Work For.” Umpqua Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Portland, Ore.
For more information, visit http://umpquabank.com.