Here’s how affordable housing and affordable solar power are coming together in Olympia
An Olympia nonprofit has found success in its efforts to rally for affordable solar power and affordable housing at the state level, one they said “recognizes the growing need for equity in the energy economy.”
On March 30, Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1814, which approved more funding for the state’s expired solar energy incentive program, according to a press release from Olympia Community Solar.
The policy will give Washington State University’s Energy Extension program $100 million in funding, which they will then give out as grants for solar projects around the state. The program will begin in 2023 and will be solely for low-income households and low-income service providers.
Washington State Representative Sharon Shewmake said everyone needs to be a part of the green energy future.
“In the past, solar energy incentive programs have primarily benefited people who can dole out cash for the panels and installation,” she said. “We can do more to include everyone in the transition to a green economy, and together, with this bill, we will.”
In the release, the nonprofit’s president, Mason Rolph, said the projects that will be funded with this money will not only reduce pollution, it will reduce poverty by reducing monthly energy costs.
“The benefits of solar energy should be accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live or their income,” Rolph said. “This legislation is a small step in Washington’s progress toward a clean, affordable, and just clean energy transition.”
In an interview with The Olympian, Rolph said low-income households can spend anywhere from 10 to 15% of their annual income on energy, while higher-income households will spend about 3%.
“The goal here is to use clean solar electricity to reduce their energy burdens,” he said. “Decreasing the energy burden is direct savings to those low-income customers. It’s really an incredible tool for equity.”
Past and present projects
Olympia Community Solar, which was started in 2018, has seen some successes in merging affordable housing and solar energy already. In January, the nonprofit worked with South Sound Solar to install 324 solar panels on the roof of Merritt Manor, a low-income apartment building on Martin Way.
The project was funded by a grant the nonprofit won from the state Department of Commerce, which totaled $341,732 to purchase the panels and hire a contractor to install them. The project was expected to help the 82 households in the building save about $250 per year on their energy bills.
But the project hit some bumps along the road. According to previous reporting in The Olympian, most tenants had their own electrical meter, but energy companies only “credit” up to two meters per property for extra power that’s being generated. This means extra energy being produced by solar panels can’t be returned to the grid and stored for later use.
To solve this problem, Rolph worked with South Sound Solar to consolidate all 82 meters into two, which cost an extra $45,000.
He said Merritt Manor is the perfect example of what sort of projects would be funded by the recent policy signing.
He said the nonprofit already has begun reaching out to other nonprofits, public entities and local tribes for project funding, and plans are in the works around the county. He said he’s excited to see the new low-income program roll out, but it comes with foundational issues.
“This policy throws a bunch of money at a problem,” he said. “The thing it doesn’t do, it doesn’t provide a system for renters, multi-family housing and anyone who can’t put solar panels on their roof.”
He said to solve this, there needs to be community solar policy, which comes with more partnership and solar energy use across cities. He said his nonprofit team is going to have to go back to the legislature in the coming years to fight for virtual net metering. This is where excess energy is dispersed among other users and the owner of the panels it came from is given credits on their electricity bill.
The nonprofit also worked to get solar panels on the Hands On Children’s Museum and the Olympia Farmers Market. For more public projects like these, individuals can buy into the projects in increments of $300 and get refunded as the panels start producing energy.
Community Solar also secured a $78,000 grant from the city of Olympia last November to partially fund the installation of solar panels at Quixote Village, a tiny house community for people experiencing homelessness. The project is set to be completed in August.
South Sound Solar crews completed the installation of 200 Washington-made solar panels on the roof of the Farmers Market on March 28, and the project was named the “Sunflower Community Solar” project. It’s scheduled for “energization” on April 18 and is expected to cover 100% of the market’s energy needs, according to the nonprofit’s website.
The nonprofit has also supported groups such as Homes First and Media Island International through solar panel installation, with more homes through Homes First to join the list of completed projects soon.
The Olympia City Council is expected to vote soon on whether to award funds from the Community Development Block Grant to Olympia Community Solar to install a 95.5-kilowatt rooftop solar energy system on seven single-family low-income rental homes in Olympia. It’s estimated to cost $250,302, and CDBG funding would cover $186,489 through prior year returned and unspent funds.
If approved, the solar panels would be installed by spring 2023. The public has been invited to submit public comments on the proposal by April 11. You can submit written comments to Olympia City Council at 601 Fourth Ave E, Olympia, WA, 98501, or send it in an email to cdbg@ci.olympia.wa.us. Phone calls can be made to 360-233-6197. The council is set to vote on the measure April 19.
Outside of grants, Rolph said the nonprofit is funded through donations and foundation support.
This story was originally published April 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
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