Renewable energy
It was a big year for solar. And for greater Portland.
Capitalizing on a talent pool seasoned by the silicon industry, solar panel manufacturers SolarWorld, Solaicx and XsunX brought major manufacturing plants to greater Portland. Intel has announced the launch of panel manufacturing enterprise SpectraWatt. Sanyo North America has broken ground on a plant just outside of the metro area.
While the region boasts the largest solar industry cluster in North America, Portland itself was one of the federal government’s first Solar America Cities, a program providing funding for infrastructure and encouraging adoption of solar technology.
Leading on the wind side is Vestas, the global provider of wind-power systems, employing more than 900 in the region. Portfolio 21, which invests in sustainable companies worldwide, recognized Vestas as the Top Green Financial Performer for posting a 131% return in 2006.
Providing young talent, the Oregon Institute of Technology’s renewable-energy program – the first four-year degree program in the U.S. – prepares grads with coursework in generators, thermodynamics, photovoltaics, wind, biomass, hydropower and geothermal energy development.
The solar energy cluster will continue to be well supplied with workers by the region’s substantial electronics sector, which includes greater Portland’s largest employer – with 15,000 employees – Intel.
Talent cluster
84% greater than national average for same-size metros
Growth
4.6% year over year since 2001
Electronics firms
285 in 2006
Renewable energy firms
35 in 2006
Electronics employers
Intel, Tektronix, Xerox, Merix, WaferTech, SEH America
Renewable energy employers
Vestas, SolarWorld, Solaicx, XsunX
Workforce
15,450
Average salary for electronics workers
$37,410
Outlook
The region’s solar cluster is emerging quickly. SolarWorld projects phase one employment of 900, XsunX of 500, and Solaicx of 100.
