Solar in Oregon
Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun. Solar technologies harness this energy for
electricity generation, space and water heating, and other uses. Solar energy is a renewable resource
as the energy comes from the sun. Solar photovoltaic (PV) cells are the most common technology for generating electricity from solar
energy.
Solar PV cells absorb photons from sunlight and convert their energy into electric current. PV
cells are connected together into panels for installation on rooftops or ground-mounted systems. The
average solar panel has between a 200- and 400-watt capacity. Joining panels together creates solar
arrays, which can be virtually any size, from less than one kilowatt to hundreds of megawatts or more.
Check it out: ODOE's Oregon Solar Dashboard shows how sun-powered electricity has developed over time across the state.