Towering solar panels saves Oregon farm thousands on energy and increases crop yields

Portland, Ore. – An Oregon farm and grocery store is saving thousands of dollars annually on their energy bill and increasing crop yields thanks to its unique solar towers funded in part by Portland General Electric customers who support local renewable energy projects.

Our Table Cooperative , located in Sherwood, Ore., is a regional co-op contributing to a resilient and interdependent local food culture. Opened in 2011, the farm raises a variety of crops, including lettuce, vegetables, blueberries, strawberries, apples, and nuts, all sold with other local goods and produce in its grocery store.

“We are trying to reimagine what the local food system could look like for the future—really it’s about bringing people together around food,” said Our Table Founder, Narendra Varma.

With sustainability and energy independence top of mind, Varma applied for PGE’s Green Future Renewable Development Fund in 2023. The fund supports Oregon’s clean energy future, by providing funding for small-innovative renewable energy projects for local organizations to reduce carbon emissions or become energy independent. The fund is made possible by more than 225,000 PGE Green Future participants, who elect to pay a little more toward their energy bill to support local renewable energy projects.

PGE’s Green Future Renewable Development Fund, in addition to federal tax credits, covered the initial costs of Our Table’s six solar towers that overlook the property. With 28 solar panels per tower, the system has a total-rated capacity of 75-kilowatts, enough renewable energy to power the entire 58-acre farm and all its buildings. Now 100% energy independent, Varma saves $25,000 to $28,000 annually on his energy bill.

“It’s a huge benefit to an organization like ours,” said Varma.

PGE’s Green Future Renewable Development Fund also covered the cost of battery storage. Paired with the solar panels, the batteries store energy for when it’s needed the most, like during a power outage after a storm.

“Because we are a grocery store for the local community, our battery storage allows the community to come and buy fresh food in situations when there’s extended outages,” said Varma.

Dynamic shade

While Our Table’s solar towers help Varma save on his energy bills, it’s also providing critical relief for the farm’s crops to withstand Oregon’s harsh summer sun.

Our Table Cooperative’s solar panels are unique in that they adjust to follow the direction of the sun, providing various shade patterns to the crops below.

“Most plants can only photosynthesize for seven to eight hours in a day, after that, additional sunshine just results in stress,” said Varma. “Kind of like when you sit on the beach— seven to eight hours you’re happy but after that, you’re starting to get a little sun burnt and cranky.”

Our Table is partnering with Oregon State University to research the most successful and the most appropriate shade patterns for particular crops to increase yields and improve overall health. In the first year, Varma found the farm used about half of the amount of irrigation water for crops underneath the solar panels, compared to crops out in the open.

“This is the first time that we have had the ability to dynamically manage the amount of sunlight falling on plants. By producing shade in a controllable way, we hope we can give the plants the sunlight that they need to photosynthesize and be healthy and reduce the stress in the afternoon,” said Varma.

2025 Green Future Renewable Development Fund recipients have been selected. Click here for the full list. For more information, click here .

About Portland General Electric Company

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is an integrated energy company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to nearly 960,000 customers serving an area of approximately 2 million Oregonians. Since 1889, Portland General Electric (PGE) has been powering economies, delivering safe, affordable and reliable electricity while working to transform energy systems to meet evolving customer needs. PGE continues to make progress toward emissions reduction targets, and customers have set the standard for prioritizing clean energy with the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the country. PGE is ranked a top ten utility in the 2025 Forrester U.S. Customer Experience Index. In 2025, PGE employees and retirees volunteered over 18,300 hours to more than 400 nonprofit organizations. Through the PGE Foundation, along with corporate contributions and the employee matching gift program, more than $5 million was directed to charitable organizations supporting economic growth and community resilience across our service area. For information: portlandgeneral.com/news