EVERETT — Join Snohomish County PUD and the City of Everett in celebrating the new community solar array, El Sol al Alcance de tus Manos, on Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1226 W. Casino Rd., Everett, WA 98204 (adjacent to Walter E. Hall Park).
The community solar array is located on 1.75 acres of City of Everett property and can generate 400 kilowatts of power, which can supply electricity to around 30 homes per year. All funds generated by this project go to support the Community Energy Fund, administered by St. Vincent de Paul, to help income-qualified community households pay their electric bills.
The project, which was named by community members in the Casino Road neighborhood to reflect the idea that renewable energy is within everyone’s reach, also includes a mixed media art display featuring work from local artists Luisana Hernandez, Ruben Trujillo, and Yessica Marquez. The artists partnered with the PUD and community members to create unified public artwork that reflects solar energy, connection, transformation, and collective action. The artwork also includes nearly 1,000 suns and hands that were decorated by students from the community.
“This project is a shining example of what is possible when public and private entities work together in partnership with the community,” said PUD CEO/General Manager John Haarlow. “This project benefits our grid, our most vulnerable community members, and the environment, while also creating a beautiful community art display that can be enjoyed by all.”
The event will include speeches from Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, PUD Commissioners Julieta Altamirano-Crosby and Sid Logan and Everett Councilmember Luis Burbano and be followed by a performance by local artist Aurelio Valdez. There will also be a ribbon cutting for a community path that was installed by the City of Everett to increase the community’s connection with the project and Walter E. Hall Park. Attendees will be able to enjoy free shave ice as well and can construct a free solar oven kit to make smores at home, while supplies last.
More than 80% of the project costs were funded through state and federal grants and tax credits including the Washington Clean Energy Fund administered by the Department of Commerce, the Community Solar Expansion Program administered by the WSU Energy Program and the Federal Investment Tax Credit with a Bonus Credit through the U.S. Department of Energy.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
