June 7, 2002—White Bluffs Solar Station, the largest photovoltaic solar power facility constructed in the Pacific Northwest, was recently dedicated. The station has a nameplate rating of 38.7 kilowatts DC and should produce 29.5 kilowatts AC at Photovoltaics for Utility Scale Applications (PVUSA) Test Conditions. The system is comprised of 242 photovoltaic panels.
The solar plant is a collaborative project of three leading energy organizations in the Pacific Northwest and the federal government. The US Department of Energy contributed $30,000 through its Brightfields solar grant program, with the assistance of Washington State University’s Cooperative Extension Energy Service. Energy Northwest will own and operate White Bluffs Solar Station. The Bonneville Power Administration will integrate the power into its system.
Energy Northwest is also constructing a 48-megawatt wind power facility near Kennewick, Wash., scheduled for commercial operation in September 2002.
For more information, contact Energy Northwest.
