PORTLAND (AP) — The Oregon Department of Transportation is rolling out the nation’s first solar panel project on a major U.S. highway on Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 near Tualatin.

By year’s end the row of solar panels about 5 feet wide and two football fields long will begin generating enough electricity to PGE’s grid to provide 28 percent of the energy needed to power lights at the interchange at night.

It will give PGE its first ownership stake in a solar project and generate business for two new Oregon solar manufacturers, SolarWorld, a German company with operations in Hillsboro, and PV power of Bend.

“These are the kinds of economic opportunities that we are creating for all of Oregon as a result of our commitment to an energy-independent Oregon,” Gov. Ted Kulongoski said.

ODOT will pay PGE standard commercial energy rates by using state and federal tax credits.

The project will generate less than 1 percent of ODOT’s annual energy use but is considered a start to wider use of solar energy.

Early next year, the department will seek proposals for similar projects to generate about 4.5 percent its annual energy needs.

Officials also will seek proposals for new technologies such as solar panels doubling as sound walls to reduce highway noise to nearby neighborhoods.

“Now you’re starting to get some good numbers that may attract people who are willing to invest in the next big thing,” said Lynn Frank, a consultant with Five Stars International Ltd. of Salem who helped with the project.

Public Utility Commission rules prohibit solar panel owners from selling more power to the grid than they consume onsite in a year. That would keep ODOT from using solar in sunny areas to power lights in shady stretches.

The Tualatin project would not have been possible without tax credits. A 30 percent federal tax credit is to expire Dec . 31.

Public agencies and nonprofits don’t pay taxes, but they sell the credits to private companies, in this case U.S. Bank, which will pay for much of the new installation and take the tax credit for five years.

The Oregon Business Energy Tax Credit covers 50 percent of the cost.

A federal tax credit covers 30 percent and offers accelerated depreciation for the solar panel owners.

The Energy Trust of Oregon will provide $175,000 from a fund paid by Oregon electric utility customers.

Until now solar power in PGE territory has moved over PGE lines but the projects have been owned and operated by others.

Under a newly formed company called SunWay 1, PGE, as managing partner and minority owner, will kick in $100,000 of the financing.

Majority owner and tax equity investor U.S. Bank will kick in the rest.

In five years PGE will buy out its partner.