Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon welcomed its latest solar company Thursday.  REC Solar is the largest provider of solar electric systems in the U.S. It opened a new office in Portland.

CEO, Angiolo Laviziano says they already have offices in four other states, but Oregon’s generous ‘Business Energy Tax Credit’ made it a great place to locate.

Angiolo Laviziano: “The critical mass is being formed by what I would call 'the mindset' that is prevalent here. This is a very progressive area. People here are thinking about climate change, about carbon footprint, the climate change discussion, earlier than people in many other areas.”

REC Solar is expected to create dozens of new jobs in the state.

Also Thursday, Vancouver-based Columbia Energy Partners announced that it will construct Oregon’s largest solar power project on private property. The $20 million plant, west of Arlington, will generate two megawatts of electricity from solar panels.