Oregon Manufacturer Proves that Small Businesses Can Do Big Things to Support a Clean, Renewable Energy Future

Encore Ceramics, Inc. Installs Solar Power System and Purchases Green Tags to Make Company's Operations 100 Percent Renewable Powered and "Climate Neutral"

October 17, 2005

Grants Pass, Oregon Encore Ceramics, Inc. dedicated the installation of a 29-kilowatt (kW) solar power system on the roof of its manufacturing facility today, and announced that it is purchasing Green Tags (renewable energy credits) to make its facility 100 percent powered by renewable energy and its overall operations 100 percent "climate neutral."

Encore Ceramics' unique manufacturing process dictates the use of all-electric kilns to fire its custom-designed ceramic tiles. While the process is environmentally clean, it consumes more than one million kilowatt-hours of energy each year. The electricity generated by its new solar power system, though one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest, supplies only about 3 percent of the company's needs. The local utility supplies the rest of the power, which is "greened" through a purchase of Green Tags from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), a Portland-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting renewable energy development. Encore Ceramics is also purchasing Green Tags to offset the emissions associated with its natural gas usage, and its corporate automobile and air travel. The purchase is enough to offset all of the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the company's operations. Carbon dioxide is the leading source of pollution that is contributing to global warming.

The company's commitment to meeting its energy needs using clean, domestic, renewable resources is a reflection of its founders, Barry and Debbie Russell. "Although profitability is a key goal for any business, we were confident that our business could grow and thrive while being environmentally responsible," said Barry Russell, who serves as Encore Ceramics' CEO. "That we have been able to grow dramatically while maintaining our commitment to sustainability is a clear demonstration that economic and environmental goals are perfectly compatible."

Twice recognized by the Portland Business Journal as one of the top 100 fastest-growing companies in Oregon, Encore Ceramics is also making a name for itself in the environmental community. As part of its Clean Energy Challenge program, the Renewable Northwest Project recognized Encore Ceramics for its green power commitment, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now includes the company in its Green Power Partnership Program.

Advanced Energy Systems (AES) of Eugene, Oregon designed and installed the solar power system for Encore Ceramics. Led by company President, David Parker, AES has installed the two largest solar power systems in Oregon, the Kettle Foods plant in Salem, and the Pepsi Cola facility in Klamath Falls. "Encore Ceramics' 29 KW system is at the forefront of commercial solar in southern Oregon. The market for solar is thriving, thanks in large part to financial incentives that have spurred investment in solar energy statewide," said Parker. He singled out the rebates available through the Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc. and the Business Energy Tax Credit administered by the Oregon Department of Energy as key elements in making solar power cost-competitive in the state. "For Encore Ceramics, the payback on its investment in solar power will be about five years - and even less if utility electric rates keep increasing," Parker added.

The solar project's financial feasibility also benefited from a unique arrangement with BEF, Encore Ceramics' green power marketer. Because solar power is recognized as a premium resource, even compared to other renewable energy resources, BEF agreed to purchase the Green Tags from Encore Ceramic's solar power project at a price of $50 per Green Tag (approximately $1,700 per year). BEF then resells those Green Tags to its other customers who support solar power and are willing to pay a premium to do so. Consequently, Encore Ceramics will use the energy it generates onsite, but cannot lay claim to its environmental benefits (i.e., the components that make up a Green Tag). However, in keeping with its commitment to be 100 percent green powered, the company is buying back enough Green Tags - mostly from lower-priced wind resources - to green its entire operation. The information on this page was created and posted by the company identified above. RenewableEnergyAccess.com does not endorse, edit, or substantiate this information and assumes no obligation for this content's accuracy.

For further Information
Encore Ceramics
Advanced Energy Systems
The Bonneville Environmental Foundation
Electricity Generated