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Solar panel project unveiled on Ore. highway interchange

Associated Press - August 8, 2008 9:25 AM ET

    PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Solar power is hot right now in Oregon.

    This week, the Oregon Department of Transsportation unveiled thecountry's first solar panel project on a major US highway.

    The solar panels have been installed at the interchange ofInterstate 5 and Interstate 205 near Tualatin.

    The goal is for the panels to start generating electricity by theend of the year.

    The panels will account for 28% of the energy needed to powerlights that illuminate the interchange at night.

    Early next year, the department will seek proposals for similarhighway projects generating 2 million kilowatt hours annually.

    That's an amount that could feed 182 homes, or about 4.5% of ODOT'sannual energy use.

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