Puget Sound Energy awards funding to nine organizations for solar installations
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has awarded $753,620 in grant funding to nine organizations across its electric service area for the installation of new solar projects.
The recipients include local non-profits and tribal entities serving low-income and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community members. The funding comes through PSE’s Green Power and Solar Choice programs.
“Distributing grants for new solar projects to non-profits and tribal entities in our electric service area is particularly gratifying,” PSE President and CEO Mary Kipp said. “The funding comes from Green Power and Solar Choice participants, who provide a measurable way for us to work together toward a cleaner and more equitable energy future.”
The projects will generate about 450,000 kWh of power annually. The goal is to help local organizations reduce operating costs and their carbon footprint.
The nine recipients include Bonney Lake Food Bank, Community Action of Skagit County, Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation, North Kitsap Fishline Food Bank, Skagit Valley Neighbors in Need, South County Area Human Services Alliance, South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity, The Suquamish Tribe, and Vadis.
“Fishline Food Bank and Comprehensive Services is overjoyed to have been awarded the PSE solar power grant,” Executive Director Lori Maxim said. “Our mission to promote self-sustainability in our community pairs nicely with this opportunity to help utilize renewable energy on our campus. We are truly grateful for this opportunity.”
The recipients have partnered with local solar companies — such as A&R Solar, Ecotech Solar, Western Solar, Sphere Solar Energy, MAD Energy NW, and South Sound Solar — to do the installations. The solar companies will work to have their solar panels installed and produce energy in 2023.
Over the past six years, PSE has provided $4.1 million in grant funding, resulting in nearly 2,100,000 kWh of annual generation.
