Published December 17 2014
Solarize Bellevue, a community campaign designed to reduce the cost of rooftop solar panels for Bellevue residents and business owners, is donating a free solar installation to the Bellevue Boys & Girls Clubs Teen Center in Lake Hills.
Organizers of the campaign had promised to donate the solar photovoltaic system, valued at more than $16,000, if the campaign exceeded its target of 30 installation contracts. The tally currently stands at 44 and the goal has been raised to 50. Installations are underway and expected to wrap up in March.
Solarize Bellevue is a partnership between the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center, City of Bellevue, community volunteers and Northwest Electric and Solar, the installation contractor that was selected through a competitive bidding process. The program leverages the power of group purchasing to lower the price for each customer.
"With 44 new solar installations and more than 200 kilowatts of renewable energy production now under contract, Solarize Bellevue has been a very successful campaign." said Paul Andersson, program administrator for the city's Environmental Stewardship Initiative. "Residents recognize the environmental and financial value of investing in this clean energy technology."
The Boys & Girls Clubs, Hopelink and KidsQuest Children's Museum were all in the running for the free system. Community members cast more than 450 votes and the Boys and Girls Clubs emerged as the clear winner.
"We are so thrilled to receive this incredible award," said Ryan Scott, vice president and chief operating officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs. "We are looking forward to seeing the increase in environmental initiatives at our club as a result of this installation."
Workers will install the made-in-Washington solar panels at the Boys and Girls Club in February. The 3.5-kilowatt system is expected to generate just under 4,000 kilowatt hours of energy per year, about $400 worth of electricity. Also, the Boys and Girls Club will receive roughly $2,150 in annual payments until 2020 through the state's renewable energy production incentive program.
Residents and business owners interested in a solar installation via Solarize Bellevue can learn more through December 31, when the program ends.