Redmond's Airport Completes Solar Project

Redmond's Roberts Field expects to save money with the installation of solar panels on the airport roof.

"It's visible, it's educational and it's also sustainable. We'll get a sense of how it performs in this area so we can look at doing other projects," President of Pacific Power, Pat Reiten said.

Funding for the project came from a $200,000 grant from Pacific Power.

"We appreciate the support we got from Pacific Power, had they not given us the grant we would not have been able to afford to do this on our own," said airport manager Carrie Novick.

The panels are capable of producing about 65,000 kilowatt hours of renewable power annually, which amounts to about 10 percent of new terminal usage.

"Anything we can do to reduce our costs, because when we reduce our costs we reduce our costs to the air carriers as well. And anytime we can do that, that helps keep them here and make our community profitable for them," she said.

Reiten said being in Central Oregon helps. "It sure beats the west side in terms of solar potential," he said.

"We're looking for this project to give us a sense of what that production is and how it performs. And I have to say the renovation of the airport is wonderful, it turned out fabulously."

Pacific Power's Blue Sky renewable energy program supplied the grant in 2006. The total cost of the solar project was $519,650.

The project started in March of 2008 and was completed this month. Kirby Nagelhout Construction was the contractor. E2 Power served as a sub consultant and 3E Strategies as energy consultant.

##

When you see news happen, call the KBNW News Tip Hotline at 541.323.NEWS or email us.