Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland General Electric has begun work on what will be the largest solar array in the Northwest.

The 2.4 megawatt facility would span the rooftops of seven warehouse facilities in Portland, Gresham, and Clackamas.

It’s the second time PGE has worked with warehouse company Pro Logis  on a rooftop solar project.

PGE spokeswoman Elaina Medina says one advantage of rooftop solar is it’s quick to build.

Elaina Medina:  “So, we completed the deal last Friday and we already have workers up on the rooftop today. We expect the project to be completed by the end of June – so we are expecting it to go fairly quickly.”

Medina says negotiating the finances of such deals can take a while, though.

PGE says the project will benefit from state energy tax credits, and perhaps more than $2 million from the Energy Trust of Oregon.

PGE says the Pro Logis project will help the utility meet Oregon’s renewable energy mandate.

PGE also has a goal of adding at least three megawatts of solar per year.