Wind-power giant Vesta goes solar with SolarWorld

Oregon wind turbine manufacturer chooses solar for headquartersVestas, the wind turbine manufacturing giant, is going solar at its North American headquarters in Portland, Ore., with photovoltaic modules from its nearby neighbor SolarWorld, which has its U.S. headquarters in Hillsboro, Ore. It’s a marriage of sorts of the two of the largest renewable energy equipment manufacturers in the U.S.

The 112-kilowatt, roof-top mounted photovoltaic array will provide about 12 percent of the building’s energy needs. The installation is part of a larger building energy-efficiency renovation that will allow the 102-year-old Meier & Frank Depot building to pursue LEED Platinum certification, according to a press release.

“The decision to use SolarWorld panels was made by Gerding Edlen, the owner of the building, in partnership with E C Company, the designer and installer of the solar system,” said a SolarWorld spokesperson. “Because Gerding Edlen is aiming for LEED Platinum certification, they had a goal of acquiring everything for the project within 500 miles. They asked E C Company to source the panels locally, if possible. E C Company looked at a number of products, and ultimately selected SolarWorld’s modules.”

SolarWorld makes modules in Hillsboro.

Other sustainable features of the building will include a rainwater recovery system, an eco-roof terrace and garden and tenant and retail space on the first floor. When completed in early 2012, the building will measure 172,000 square feet.

The use of photovoltaics and housing its operations in a LEED-certified building makes sense for Vestas as a renewable-energy manufacturer interested in promoting sustainability. But it also shows the limitations of wind and the versatility of solar.

Whereas Vestas makes utility-scale wind turbines that will soon reach 7.0 megawatts or more—such a turbine, with 80-meter blades, wouldn’t fit into downtown Portland. On the other hand, a solar system like the one being installed on the building’s roof can be scaled to meet the building’s needs.

Alternatively, Gerding Edlen could have added smaller wind turbines to the building. But solar offers a better value since it produces power while the building is being used by the most people. Wind is more likely to blow at night, providing power when the building isn’t seeing as much use.

Pictured: An artist’s rendering of the building plans and the solar installations. Image courtesy of SolarWorld.