PDX Community Solar Provides Renewable Energy to Lower-Income Neighbors and Airport

This month, the PDX Community Solar project powered on to provide solar energy to nearly 150 homes, primarily in the Cully neighborhood, and to increase Portland International Airport’s (PDX) clean energy sources. It is also one of several sources supplying Dignity Village with electricity for the first time.
The power comes from a 1 mega-watt solar array – made up of 2,200 solar panels – on a three-acre site adjacent to PDX. It was developed in partnership with Bonneville Environmental Foundation, the Port of Portland, and Verde as part of Oregon’s statewide community solar program, focused on increasing equity in the renewable energy field.
PDX Community Solar, powered by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), is paving the way forward for more equitable access to renewable energy in Portland. By channeling resources towards community solar projects, PCEF is uplifting underrepresented communities and ensuring the benefits of climate action are felt by all Portlanders, regardless of race, income, or ability.
"PDX Community Solar will result in 30 to 40 percent in yearly bill savings for subscribers, totaling up to $1M in savings," said Evan Ramsey, Sr. Director Renewables at Bonneville Environmental Foundation. "These economic savings will accumulate over the next 20 years, helping to address the high cost of housing, mitigate the effects of gentrification and displacement, and reduce the energy burden on low-income households, regardless of whether they rent or own their homes."
With PDX Community Solar, participants subscribe to the project and, in return, receive a credit on their utility bill, providing direct access to renewable energy without the upfront investment of adding solar panels to a home.
"The Port of Portland is striving to make economic growth available to everyone in our region. This project was an opportunity for us to use Port assets – in this case, land – in a way that aligned with our values." said Patrick Christopher, Senior Marine Terminal Planner at the Port of Portland. "We’re working in partnership to advance our clean energy initiatives while reducing barriers to economic stability – it’s a win-win."
With support from the Portland Clean Energy Fund, the team focused on making sure bill credits benefit the people who need it most. Not only is PDX Community Solar the largest community solar project in the city, but 60 percent of the power it generates will go to low-income Pacific Power customers, City of Portland residents. Portland International Airport will receive the remaining 40 percent of generated power.
"The PDX Community Solar project is a transformative investment to support the residents in the Cully neighborhood – one of Portland's most racially and ethnically diverse. Many in the neighborhood are facing financial challenges, in part due to rapidly rising utility costs," said Tatiana Siegenthaler-Rodriguez at Verde. "This initiative demonstrates the power of shared vision and collaboration, utilizing clean, renewable energy as a way to not only improve our environment, but reduce the economic burden frontline community members are experiencing."
The project had benefits before it powered on, too, providing quality jobs and training. The installation utilized a workforce development program in partnership with Leaders Become Legends, which offers holistic mentorship, personal development programming and training to Black, Brown, and Indigenous Portlanders in the clean energy sector.
The project team, each with unique expertise that made PDX Community Solar possible, is working to replicate the effort and bring expanded relief to lower-income residents. In December 2024, BEF was awarded another grant by the Portland Clean Energy Fund for a follow up project, Empowering PDX. It includes four more community solar developments, three of which are planned on Port properties, that will serve up to 1,500 low-income households.
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About Port of Portland
With three airports, three active marine terminals, and six business parks, the Port of Portland is a vital engine for the region’s economy. Across all areas of its work, the Port prioritizes creating good jobs and opportunity for local businesses and improving quality of life for everyone who lives and works in our community. The Port is leading big projects in the region, including building a new PDX that reflects the spirit of the Pacific Northwest and the people who power it; transforming a former marine terminal into a site for innovation in the housing construction and mass timber industries; and providing more options for local businesses to send their products around the world. For more information, visit www.PortofPortland.com
About BEF
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit with 25 years of experience working at the nexus of community–and carbon, water, and energy solutions. BEF’s Renewables team focuses on advancing renewable energy projects and partnerships that deliver direct and meaningful benefits for disadvantaged communities.