Oregon National Guard Tests Solar Power at Camp Withycombe Near Portland
EUGENE, Ore.---- It is not unusual that an American flag flies 24 hours per day, seven days per week outside the office at the Oregon National Guard’s historic Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon, located at the foot of Mt. Talbert east of Portland. What is different is the energy source powering the lights that shine on the Stars and Stripes during the night-it is solar power.
“To keep within in government guidelines, the Oregon Military Department is actively evaluating alternative energy sources to provide power in its facilities,” said Darrell Neet, facilities manager for 13 armories and training facilities in Oregon and Washington. “Solar power to keep the flag illuminated at night is a perfect first test.”
Originally built in the early 1900s, Camp Withycombe is eligible for the National Registry of Historic Places. So for several reasons, Neet says it wasn’t practical to run electrical conduit out to the flagpole. Instead, he had six solar panels installed to generate the electricity necessary to keep the light shining on the flag. Each panel generates 175 watts and even on a cloudy, rainy Oregon day they will capture enough sunlight to keep the light on.
“This project demonstrated Grape Solar's leadership position in ODM (Original Design Manufacturing) capabilities; which includes engineering design, system integration, in addition to our traditional cost effective equipment components to help our customers materialize their energy saving and environmental protection goals,” said Philip Chen, Grape Solar’s director of operations.
With solar panel prices coming down and the growing acceptance and necessity for alternative energy sources, Neet says solar power is approaching "practicality" and that over time, the solar panels will save the Oregon National Guard several thousand dollars in energy costs. "Just the initial savings of $1500.00 - $2000.00 for conduit and new circuitry has made this investment a money saving venture. We are pleased to be introducing solar power to our facilities."
"With a 25-year warranty, once the solar panels are paid for, we'll be generating free energy to keep the light shining brightly on Old Glory for many years to come. At Camp Withycombe we don't fly the flag because we have to, we fly it with pride because of the sacrifices it stands for."