For More Information Contact:
John Mitchell, 341-8539
Eugene Water & Electric Board

May 7 , 2007

EWEB introduces new solar electric program

Eugene Water & Electric Board customers can now look to the sky for their energy needs and turn sunlight directly into electricity with the utility’s Solar Electric Program.

Launched in March, the program allows EWEB customers to produce clean, renewable power at their homes or businesses through the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels and inverters and help EWEB increase the amount of power it generates from renewable sources.

“We’ve been actively pursuing solar electricity for six years, assessing the best way to approach solar for our customers,” says Bill Welch, EWEB Energy Management Engineering Supervisor.

EWEB’s PV initiative began in 2000 with a four-year solar demonstration project that outlined the necessary steps the utility needed to take to create a premium solar program for its customers. So far, EWEB has installed 35 systems throughout Eugene with a combined capacity of 400 kilowatts (kW).
 
EWEB promotes the use of photovoltaic systems in two ways. A net metering program allows customers to offset their electric usage with photovoltaic generation. The other option is a generation program for larger systems. Generation systems are tied directly to the utility’s distribution system instead of the customer’s home or business.  EWEB buys all the electrical output from the photovoltaic system.

“Our solar program is supplementary to our other conservation efforts,” says Welch. “It is not the answer to all of our energy needs, but it’s an important and necessary step.”

EWEB encourages conservation first and renewables second as outlined in the utility’s Integrated Electric Resource Plan (IERP). The IERP strives to meet the present and long-term energy needs of the community at the lowest economical and environmental cost.

“Conservation is the most cost effective resource option available to us,” says Welch. “Solar is an appropriate approach and we’re pursuing it, but most people should look for ways to reduce their energy usage first.”

In addition to the Solar Electric Program, EWEB offers a variety of other energy management services designed to encourage the efficient use of electricity in homes and businesses. The Solar Electric Program is open to all EWEB customers. Specific program requirements apply and financial incentives are available.

For additional information, contact EWEB Energy Management Services at 484-1125.