New Oregon law unlocks microgrid expansion
New law clears path for microgrids as data centres drive power demand; Stracker Solar’s dual-axis systems show potential for resilient local energy.
Image for illustrative purposes
USA, Oregon, Ashland: With Oregon’s power demand rising, driven by data centres and extreme weather, a new state law is opening the way for wider use of microgrids. Signed this summer by Governor Tina Kotek, the law removes long-standing barriers that allowed utilities to delay or block projects, letting municipalities, businesses, and agencies move ahead with their own developments.
Microgrids can generate and store power locally, keeping essential services such as water plants, hospitals, and emergency centres operating during outages. They also ease pressure on the wider grid by smoothing peaks and improving resilience during heatwaves or storms.
Data centres already account for about 11 % of Oregon’s electricity use, with costs increasingly spread to all consumers. Rising bills, some up 50 % in recent years, have sparked concern over both affordability and grid reliability.
Local company Stracker Solar has already deployed elevated dual-axis solar trackers in municipal and agricultural microgrids across Oregon and beyond. Its projects include systems for the cities of Talent and Ashland, and a wastewater treatment plant in Coburg. Elevated trackers allow for continued land use, such as farming or parking, while producing up to 70 % more power than fixed systems.
Oregon’s move is the first in the nation to explicitly back customer-driven microgrid projects. Supporters say it could serve as a model for other states as communities seek secure, affordable, and independent power in the face of mounting grid stress.
Source: altenergymag.com
#Data centres#microgrids#Oregon#renewable energy#state law#Stracker Solar#Tina Kotek