Solar Electric Power Association ranks PGE in top 10 utilities
By Portland General Electric,
Portland General Electric (PGE) (NYSE: POR) was recognized today by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) as a utility leader in the integration of solar into its generation portfolio. In SEPA’s report issued today, the “2008 Top Ten Utility Solar Integration Rankings,” PGE ranked eighth in the nation — and fourth in the West — in total solar megawatts.
The annual rankings are based on the amount of solar electricity installed during the 2008 calendar year. PGE integrated more than 3.5 megawatts AC* of solar power into its system, more than tripling the amount of solar resources connected to its system.
“In 2008 Portland General Electric established itself as ‘one to watch’ regarding utility solar integration,” said Julia Hamm, SEPA executive director. “In today’s shifting energy landscape, electric utilities face a new challenge in determining how to integrate solar electricity in a way that benefits the utility, its shareholders, and society at large. PGE is one of the utilities leading the charge to find innovative business models that accomplish this goal.”
PGE also appeared on several other SEPA rankings for its 2008 solar activity, including:
* Sixth in the nation in total solar megawatts on the utility-side of the meter
* Eighth in the nation in total solar megawatts on the customer-side of the meter
* Ninth in the nation for solar watts per customer on utility-side of the meter
* Eighth in the nation for total solar megawatts and ninth in the nation in total solar watts per customer among investor-owned utilities
“PGE and our customers are committed to integrating more renewable energy, including solar, into our generation portfolio, which will help us reach the state’s renewable energy standards of 25 percent renewables by 2025,” said Bill Nicholson, vice president, customers and economic development, PGE.
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