This editorial appears in the July 17, 2009, Yakima Herald-Republic.

Kittitas County promises to be the Silicon Valley of renewable energy. It certainly has started off in the right direction.

Wind power has always been a strong suit for the county, with four projects either being proposed or up and running. The latest "green power" addition comes from the sun in the form of photovoltaics -- the same technology that fuels calculators and watches.

Photovoltaics is an unusual method of harnessing the sun's energy, but the process may soon become part of the local lexicon for those living in the Cle Elum area if Teanaway Solar Reserve moves ahead as planned.

The solar energy project would not only become an expansive development for Upper Kittitas County; it could also gain status as the world's largest by late 2011 when it's supposed to come on line. The $100 million photovoltaic manufacturing and solar power generating plant would also create hundreds of family-wage jobs, the backers claim.

An array of 400,000 photovoltaic panels would be assembled within 400 acres of previously logged timberland outside of Cle Elum. The project's private developer says the vast array of panels would have a minimal environmental impact, since they only stand 3 to 5 feet above ground and would be spread out among the natural vegetation in the area.

Power from the solar panels could produce up to 75 megawatts of power, or enough for 45,000 households. That's far in excess of the current largest U.S. photovoltaic project; that one's in Nevada and produces 14 megawatts of power.

Can the Teanaway project prove profitable? The private developer hopes so. This type of renewable, environmentally friendly power generation is exactly what lawmakers and environmentalists have been championing for years.

Announcement of the Teanaway project occurred less than a week before a hearing on Monday for another green energy source. Residents were given a chance to comment on the proposed Desert Claim wind farm that would be built northwest of Ellensburg. Being developed by EnXco, a French firm, Desert Claim exceeds the Teanaway project in terms of power generation with enough electricity for 57,000 homes. An economic study of the wind farm pegs new jobs at 282, more than $33 million in economic activity and an additional $995,000 in state and local tax revenue during its construction phase.

With tax incentives making these types of renewable energy projects more attractive to investors, no wonder the wind-swept hills and ample sunshine of Kittitas County are attracting attention.

What worries us now is whether the federal power grid has the capacity and flexibility to incorporate this increased power generation. Officials with the Bonneville Power Administration have expressed confidence in its ability to handle the ups and downs of this renewable energy. We hope their public pronouncements don't come up short.

* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.