Largest 100% Made-in-Washington Solar Array Installed in King County

This summer, Weyerhouser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way undertook a massive three-month project to undergo energy efficiency updates and other improvements. Western Solar was excited to support their effort to go green by installing the largest 100% made-in-Washington solar system to be installed in Washington State to date. Boasting 380 panels, the 104-kW solar array is also the eighth largest ever built in the state.

On August 25th, our crew began the process of installing the support clamps on the standing seam roof. Clamp installation was followed by the rails, while our electricians worked on getting the infrastructure in place for electrical wiring and connecting the 19 inverters needed for the massive system. The project was installed in two parts, with the right two arrays completed first, then the left.

The new array should produce about 104,500 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, helping to offset the facility’s electricity use by an estimated $9,400 each year. The system's 380 275-watt high-efficiency panels and 19 Eltek 4.4-kW inverters are all manufactured by itek Energy, located in Bellingham, Washington.

This project was made possible through a grant from the Washington Department of Commerce’s 2013-2015 Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants for Local Governments program, aimed at promoting the use of made-in-Washington solar panels and inverters on public buildings.

About Weyerhaeuser-King County Aquatic Center

The Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center is a legacy venue of the 1990 Seattle Goodwill Games. This 2,500-seat facility maintains one of the most active competition schedules in the country, hosting more than 50 events annually. It has been the site of Olympic Trials, top national and international competitions, and the Pacific Northwest's premiere events. A recent economic study conducted for King County measured the financial impact of these events on the region in excess of $7.5 million annually.

Learn more about the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center

About Western Solar

Western Solar Inc is a leading installer of residential and commercial solar electric systems and electric vehicle charging stations in Washington State. They strive to design and install the most cost-effective energy-saving solutions for clients. In so doing, they hope to contribute to decreasing the country's dependence on fossil fuels and its contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Learn more about Western Solar

"Our House" Goes Solar!

This month, Western Solar and Bellingham-based solar panel manufacturer Itek Energy teamed up to help Interfaith Coalition reach their goal of going solar on their new Our House triplex in Ferndale. Once construction was complete, our team got to work to help make their dream of going solar come true.

On the morning of August 22nd, the Western Solar crew loaded up the truck and headed up to Ferndale to start the job. Installers Zeke, Craig, and Brenden donned their safety harnesses and got to work getting the racking mounted to the roof, while electricians Kelly and Brad ran the wiring and mounted the housing for the new production meter.

Once the racking was installed on the roof, the crew enjoyed an unexpected mid-morning coffee break, when Interfaith campaign chair Rev. Bobbi Virta showed up with coffee and snacks.

After the guys finished refueling on caffeine and sugar, the panels went up and in short order were secured down and ready to generate power!

The new 2.545 kW solar electric system consists of ten Itek Energy solar modules, five of which were donated by Itek Energy, the rest purchased at cost by Saint James Presbyterian Church and Interfaith Coalition. Western Solar covered the cost of labor, permitting, and racking materials. The new system is expected to produce 2,545 kWh/year and provide over $1,100 of bill savings and incentives annually.

About Interfaith Coalition

Thank-you note we received from
Interfaith Coalition. Click to view larger.

Interfaith Coalition's housing is a community effort supported by 44 diverse congregations. The Coalition manages eleven single-family homes for emergency and transitional housing, offering options to all families and enabling them to stay together, where they would otherwise be split up in a shelter. With three months of Interfaith Coalition housing and support, 90% of families find stable housing.

Two years ago, Interfaith Coalition started the process of converting a single-family home in Ferndale into a triplex, which would be able to house up to ten families in need every year. The community came together and over 600 individual donors, businesses, foundations, and congregations contributed to help make Our House a reality. Our House will now house three homeless families at any one time, they move toward self-sufficiency. Learn more about the Our House project.