Solar industry stalls

In a presentation to members of the Northwest Environmental Business Council, solar industry experts said that utility-scale solar projects are stalling in Portland.

The experts expressed frustration over mixed signals from the state, a tax incentive system weighted toward other types of renewable energy development and a pilot feed-in-tariff that leaves little room for utility-scale projects. They said there are ways to galvanize the flagging industry, but not without support from Oregon's government and the renewable energy community.

Topping concerns was that no utility-scale projects were built in 2010 in Oregon, yet a dozen or more were conceived. Those projects, which would sell power to utilities, are still languishing in pre-permit planning, in tax-credit limbo or unable to capitalize.

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