"Medford airport solar project moves slowly"

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MEDFORD — A year after a solar farm near the Medford airport was proposed, the project is facing energy program deadlines with no significant progress.

Airport Director Bern Case said Jackson County hasn’t done any major solar projects yet, so the “learning curve is a little higher.”

Even after Jackson County and RHT Energy Solutions finalize a deal, Case says it will likely be 2011 before the project takes shape.

The county said in July 2009 it wanted to place solar panels capable of generating up to 7.9 megawatts of power on 47 acres of county land near the airport.

The panels would produce enough electricity to power 1,500 homes during peak production.