Sunshine in February - Community Energy Solutions Report

Dear Clean Energy Supporter,

After two and a half months of outreach and another month and a half of site work, the Go Solar Bainbridge and Go Solar Bellingham were closed on January 30. Our campaign helped add 69.6 kilowatts (kW), or 25% more solar energy capacity to Bellingham. Bainbridge saw an amazing level of interest that brought 201.63 kW, a more than doubling of the amount of solar energy on the Island.

What makes these campaigns exciting is that nearly all of the solar modules purchased are made in Washington; coming from Itek Energy, a manufacturer in Bellingham.  Also, when all of the systems are installed, these pilot rounds of the Go Solar Washington initiative will avoid over 150 MT of carbon each and every year from being pumped into the atmosphere. The multipliers of benefits are truly more than just watts.

Our work on Bainbridge Island continues as we turn our focus to the Community Solar Project at the City Hall. Community Solar is a means for more people in Washington State to enjoy the benefits of owning a solar energy system, who otherwise could not due to shading, property ownerships, or other barriers. We hosted an informational meeting last month on January 17th. If you missed that meeting but are interested to find out more about this innovative project, and what it means for you and the City, please contact Joe Deets.

Finally, a brief note about a change at the Board of our organization. Doug Maraist is heading up the Board as President while I will have more time to work on the Go Solar initiative. Joe Deets has resigned from Community Energy Solutions as Executive Director and will dedicate his time to Community Solar Solutions, an organization that focuses on community solar projects. Last but not least, please join me in welcoming Ed Flanders to our Board. Ed brings with him an extensive IT and entreprenural experience, and is keenly interested in sustainable energy solutions.

We look forward to continuing working with you, our supporters, to creating a more sustainable world through clean energy.

Your sincerely,
 
Tammy Deets, Community Energy Solutions