Energy used to power buildings is Bellevue's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Our programs help residents and business increase energy efficiency, and support Bellevue's transition to renewable energy.
- Clean Buildings Incentive Program: Learn how our team of experts can help you benchmark your commercial building's energy use, and identify strategies and incentives for saving energy.
- Energy Smart Eastside: Learn about the benefits of energy efficient heat pumps and incentives and financing options for making the switch to cleaner heating and cooling in your home.
To learn about Bellevue's green building incentives, support for renewable energy, past building and energy initiatives, and how we're leading by example, check out the links below.
Green Building in Bellevue
Why Build Green?
Green buildings offer a wealth of environmental, economic, and social benefits, like enhancing and protecting biodiversity and ecosystems, reducing waste streams, reducing operating costs, improving occupant productivity, enhancing occupant comfort and health, and minimizing strain on local infrastructure.
Green Building in Bellevue
The City of Bellevue currently has over 100 certified green buildings, including many downtown high rises, schools, hotels, shops and city facilities.
Green Building Incentives
The City of Bellevue offers land use incentives for certified green buildings such as LEED, Built Green, Living Building, and Passive House in designated neighborhoods, including Downtown, BelRed, and East Main subareas. Find out more on this Development Services page.
Puget Sound Energy also offers incentives for energy efficient new construction in both commercial and residential buildings.
Renewable Energy
Leading by Example
The City of Bellevue is leading the way and accelerating the market for renewable energy, but participating in PSE's Green Direct program to purchase renewable energy for about 70% of the City's electricity use, for nearly all buildings and operations. In addition, the City has installed solar arrays on the Crossroads Community Center and the Bellevue Service Center.
Purchasing Green Power for your Home or Workplace
Puget Sound Energy has several options for Bellevue residents and businesses to sign-up for green power: PSE | Renewable energy options for your home from PSE.
Rooftop Solar
Ever thought about installing solar panels on your roof? Concerned about the complexity of the permit process? Wondering where to go for help?
Check out Solar Washington for more information on incentives for installing solar in Washington State. Information about our streamlined permitting process for installing solar on your house, is available in Development Services. Bellevue Development Services staff familiar with solar installations are available to help.
As part of a federal Department of Energy grant, Bellevue and other grant partners (Seattle, Edmonds and Ellensburg) developed a streamlined process for the permitting of small-scale solar installations for single-family residential customers, and have been recognized by the State of Washington as part of the Evergreen State Solar Partnership.