Energy Northwest constructing solar energy and battery site

RICHLAND, Wash.-- Earlier this week, Energy Northwest started construction on a new solar and battery project.

The Horn Rapids Solar, Storage & Training Project, located on Horn Rapids Road, is a 4-megawatt direct current, 20-acre solar generating array of photovoltaic panels.

The array should provide enough energy to power 600 Richland homes, while the 1-MW battery energy storage system can provide electricity to 150 homes for four hours.

Kelly Rae, spokesperson for Energy Northwest, says the agency worked in partnership with Potelco Inc., Tucci Energy Services, Department of Commerce, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the City of Richland to put together the solar farm project.

Rae says a portion of the $6.5 million dollar project is being funded in part by a $3 million grant from the Department of Commerce.

The large-scale battery will help smooth the solar output and help meet peak energy demand.Governor Inslee’s Clean Energy Transformation Act set the state on a path to 100% clean electricity by 2045.

“Our mission is to provide energy solutions that help the northwest customers,” said Greg Cullen, Energy Northwest’s Energy Services & Development general manager. “We are uniquely positioned, as a not-for-profit joint operating agency, to help meet our state’s clean energy goals with projects like these.”

Once complete, the City of Richland will use the energy and storage to supply electricity to its residents.

“The ability to purchase solar-generated power brings Richland Energy Services closer to meeting Washington State’s renewable and carbon-free energy targets,” said Clint Whitney, City of Richland Energy Services Director. “Our customers benefit from the source of clean energy and the positive impact this project will have on Richland’s economy.”

As part of the project, Energy Northwest will establish a training program for solar and battery storage technicians to cover plant construction, operations, maintenance, and safety and hazard prevention.

The agency expects to train hundreds of workers from throughout the United States every year, bringing additional dollars into the Tri-Cities.

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland will monitor and analyze data from the project to evaluate the financial benefits of the battery and develop improved battery designs and advanced tools for forecasting load, price, and solar in-feed.

The solar site is expected to start generating electricity as soon as June.