Published July 7 2014
The City of Bellevue is partnering with local nonprofits and a group of community volunteers to install up to 25 new solar energy systems on Bellevue homes and businesses by 2015. A series of free workshops is planned to provide property owners the details about costs, benefits, technology, financing and appropriate installation sites. The first workshop takes place July 15.
The program, called "Solarize Bellevue," is a neighborhood purchasing strategy that offers interested homeowners and suitable businesses reduced cost, solar electricity installations. It's an effort to increase the adoption of renewable energy in Bellevue.
By pooling local individuals interested in pursuing solar power and making a collective "bulk buy," the program aims to achieve cost reductions of more than 10 percent, compared with typical system costs.
All community members interested in solar are invited to participate in the program and can learn more at one of four upcoming community workshops. The program's contractor, Northwest Electric and Solar, which was selected by community volunteers through a competitive bidding process, will be on hand to answer questions.
Workshop attendees become eligible to receive a free site assessment and cost estimate by the contractor. Attendees are required to pre-register for workshops. Workshop dates and locations are:
- Tuesday, July 15, 6-8 p.m., City Hall council chambers, 450 110th Ave. NE;
- Tuesday, August 12, 6-8 p.m., South Bellevue Community Center Community Room A, 14509 SE Newport Way;
- Tuesday, August 26, 6-8 p.m., Highland Community Center art room, 14224 NE Bel-Red Road;
- Saturday, September 20, time and location to be announced.
Solar energy systems have become increasingly popular in recent years, providing energy without noise or pollution. In addition, solar prices have fallen, with state and federal incentives pushing the payback period on some systems to as low as six years.
The City of Bellevue is moving forward with its own solar energy project, using a state Department of Commerce grant of $105,191 to install a 20-kilowatt solar photovoltaic array on the roof of the Bellevue Service Center, the city's main equipment and maintenance facility. It's the first solar array on the roof of a city-owned building, and is expected to supply about 7 percent of the building's energy needs on sunny days.