Medford Investigates Solar Power

A solar power system could be coming to Medford that could save the city millions of dollars.

The solar power facility would be located on 15 acres of land near Medford's water treatment and sewer plants off Table Rock and Kirtland roads.

Now the Council is looking for a business that wants to come in and set up shop.

"We want to open this up for all different companies to come in and see what they can do, and what's best for the city of Medford and the people of Medford,” said Jason Anderson, City Council President.

All Medford has to do is provide land and the company will do the rest.

"They design, build operate and maintain the solar panels and then we buy the energy from them at a reduced rate," said Jim Hill water reclamation administrator.

Hill says he had doubts about the project at first, but after touring the solar farm in Oroville California he says he was pleasantly surprised.

"We didn't find any deterrents. We were thinking there would be some, but we didn't find any,” said Hill.

Anderson agreed, “those reductions in energy costs would be a total of 20-percent. With the total 30 year life span of the solar panel which could equate anywhere between two million and ten million dollars in savings to the tax payers.”

If the project continues to move forward commercial operations could begin before the end of next year.