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P.O. Box 968
Richland, WA 99352-0968

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White Bluffs

Solar Station

White Bluffs Solar Station is a solar power demonstration project developed through a joint effort of Energy Northwest, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Bonneville Power Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, and Newport Northwest LLC. Each of these entities invested $50,000 in the project. Washington State University’s Cooperative Extension Energy Service coordinated a “Brightfields” solar grant, using the U.S. Department of Energy contribution. The station is owned and operated by Energy Northwest.

The White Bluffs Solar Station is comprised of 242 photovoltaic panels; the project’s nameplate rating is 38.7 kilowatts DC, which converts to 29.5 kilowatts AC at PVUSA Test Conditions. The panels are multi-crystalline silicon modules that convert sunlight into electricity.

Benefit to the Region

Solar power is a clean, renewable energy source. Because of the extremely high construction costs of a solar power station, the price of power they produce is higher than market rates. Bonneville Power Administration buys all of the power produced at White Bluffs Solar Station for 4 cents per kilowatt-hour. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation sells “green tags” from the facility to businesses that want to support construction of new renewable resources or companies mitigating pollutants in one form or another.

Information

Type:	Polycrystalline photovoltaic panels (solar)
Generating Capacity:	38.7 Kilowatts DC
Location:	Richland, WA
Site Size:	~6,000 square feet

History

PHASE I
Project Planning Began:	June 2001
Contract Awarded to BP Solar:	December 2001
Construction Began:	March 2002
Meter Installed; Supplying Power to the Grid:	April 2002
Construction Complete; Site Dedication:	May 2002


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