TOGETHER, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is creating a cleaner, more reliable energy future with Community Solar.
PSE’s Community Solar program builds renewable energy resources in the communities we serve. In less than three years, we’ve installed solar arrays in several local neighborhoods and made that clean energy available to thousands of participating PSE customers.
Together, six community installation sites are currently generating 16 megawatts (MW) of solar energy. In terms of environmental benefits, that equals 168,810 tree seedlings grown for 10 years or 26,171,848 fewer miles driven by gasoline-powered vehicles. Plus, we have more sites and megawatts on the way!
What it is
Launched in 2021, PSE’s Community Solar program is the largest of its kind in our state and the only one that continues to add new capacity. At its core is this principle: Customers shouldn’t have to install their own solar panels to enjoy the benefits of solar energy. 
That’s why we install solar arrays on community infrastructure – like school roofs and other large surfaces – to generate renewable electricity that any PSE customer can access.
Olympia High School was our first partner site. We’ve even installed solar panels on a water tower in Bonney Lake! Watch this video as Community Solar brings renewable energy to Pine Lake Middle School. By working closely with our community partners, we can find creative ways to utilize structures that are already there.
How it works
While these are neighborhood installations, any PSE electric customer can sign up to receive the clean energy they produce. They can even choose which site produces it. To join Community Solar, customers subscribe to “shares” that cost $20 a month. Income-eligible customers can obtain their shares for free and receive additional credits that reduce their energy bills.
In fact, accessibility has been a key part of the program’s success. From the beginning, Community Solar was designed to be inclusive and reduce the barriers to accessing renewable energy. Almost 40% of the program’s currently available shares are set aside for income-eligible customers. We also address language barriers that might keep customers from learning about the program or how to participate.
Why it matters
Our customers like Community Solar because it’s easy to join and access solar benefits – with no roof required! They also like knowing exactly where their clean energy is generated.
Communities and organizations appreciate that they can apply to host a site, emphasizing our community-driven efforts to support carbon reduction and get added benefits from existing infrastructure. At PSE, we like having an innovative way to deliver accessible, clean energy to customers and help meet our aspirational goal of becoming a Beyond Net Zero Carbon energy company by 2045.
So, what’s next for Community Solar? Over the next three years, we expect to add at least 18 projects in the neighborhoods we serve – growing our total capacity to at least 50 MW by 2025. That means more renewable energy choices for customers and more opportunities for local partnerships. It’s a win-win for everyone, as well as for our state’s ambitious clean energy transformation.
To learn more about Community Solar, visit pse.com/communitysolar.
