All recipients offer support services to low-income and BIPOC community members within PSE’s electric service area
Bellevue, Washington (2/21/2023) Puget Sound Energy, through its Green Power and Solar Choice programs, has awarded $753,620 in grant funding to nine organizations and tribes across its electric service area to install new solar projects.
Recipients range from local non-profits and tribal entities serving low-income and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community members. In addition to saving recipients money on their utilities, the projects will serve to further clean energy in the region.
The annual generation of the projects will total about 450,000 kWh, annually, equivalent to powering nearly 43 average homes, with newly installed solar from the Puget Sound region. The goal is to help local organizations reduce operating costs while also reducing their carbon footprint by using renewable energy they’ve generated.
“Distributing grants for new solar projects to non-profits and tribal entities in our electric service area is particularly gratifying,” said PSE President and CEO Mary Kipp. “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.”
One of this year’s solar grant recipients is Fishline Food Bank which provides food and access to resources that offer stability, improve health and well-being, and help people onto a path to self-sustainability.
“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.”
Recipients partnered with local solar installation companies such as A&R Solar, Ecotech Solar, Western Solar, Sphere Solar Energy, MAD Energy NW and South Sound Solar. The solar companies helped recipients complete their grant applications and will work to have their solar panels installed and producing energy in 2023.
In addition to the nearly $800,000 in grants awarded this year, PSE has provided an additional $4.1 million in grant funding over the last 6 years, resulting in nearly 2,100,000 kWh of annual generation. PSE’s Green Power Solar Grant program will release another competitive funding cycle in summer 2023.
List of recipients:
| ORGANIZATION | COUNTY |
|---|---|
| Bonney Lake Food Bank | Pierce |
| Community Action of Skagit County | Skagit |
| Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation | Thurston |
| North Kitsap Fishline | Kitsap |
| Skagit Valley Neighbors in Need | Skagit |
| South County Area Human Services Alliance | King |
| South Puget Sound Habitat For Humanity | Thurston |
| The Suquamish Tribe | Kitsap |
| Vadis | Pierce |