Solar Farm Deployment Using Domestic Photovoltaic Modules

Avangrid and SEG Solar are cooperating on the deployment of a utility-scale photovoltaic installation in Oregon. The project integrates domestically manufactured solar modules into a 166 MWdc (120 MWac) solar farm designed to supply renewable electricity to Portland General Electric’s grid and support regional digital infrastructure, including a data center campus.

Context of the Cooperation
The cooperation involves Avangrid, a U.S. energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, and SEG Solar, a photovoltaic module manufacturer. The collaboration addresses the technical and supply-chain requirements associated with building large-scale solar generation assets in the United States.

The project, known as Tower Solar, is located near Boardman in Morrow County, Oregon. It is designed to increase grid-connected renewable generation capacity and support growing electricity demand from commercial and industrial users. One of the primary beneficiaries of the project’s output is the grid operated by Portland General Electric, which distributes electricity across the region.

Domestic module manufacturing and project development were combined to reduce supply-chain complexity and ensure compatibility with project-level engineering and procurement requirements.

Technical Solution and Responsibilities
The technical solution consists of a utility-scale photovoltaic system with a generation capacity of 166 MWdc (120 MWac). The facility integrates more than 250,000 solar panels assembled at SEG Solar’s manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas.

SEG Solar’s role in the cooperation focuses on module manufacturing and supply. The company produced the photovoltaic modules used across the solar farm, ensuring consistent module specifications for large-scale installation.

Avangrid is responsible for project development, engineering coordination, and system integration. This includes site preparation, electrical infrastructure integration, mounting systems, and grid interconnection engineering required for large solar facilities.

The photovoltaic system converts solar irradiance into direct current electricity, which is then conditioned and converted into alternating current through inverter systems before delivery to the regional transmission infrastructure.

Deployment and Implementation
The Tower Solar installation occupies approximately 900 acres of industrially zoned land owned by the Port of Morrow. Construction activities included panel installation, mounting structures, electrical cabling, and grid-connection infrastructure.

The solar facility will deliver electricity to Portland General Electric’s grid through the utility’s Green Future Impact program. This mechanism allows large commercial and industrial customers to source non-emitting electricity while integrating new renewable capacity into the regional grid.

The project also contributes electricity to support operations at a nearby data center campus operated by QTS, illustrating the role of renewable generation in powering digital infrastructure.

Applications and Operational Context
Utility-scale photovoltaic installations such as Tower Solar are deployed to increase renewable capacity within power systems while supporting electricity demand from energy-intensive sectors. Typical applications include supplying commercial and industrial loads, data center operations, and grid-level energy portfolios.

By integrating domestically manufactured modules with utility-scale solar infrastructure, the project demonstrates a model for aligning renewable energy deployment with supply-chain localization and grid integration requirements.

Expected Impact
Once operational, the Tower Solar project will contribute additional renewable electricity to the regional power system and support energy procurement programs for large electricity consumers. The integration of a 120 MWac solar facility expands available clean generation capacity and supports grid stability by diversifying the regional energy mix.

Prepared with AI assistance and edited by Sucithra mani

www.avangrid.com