Puget Sound Energy awards nearly $1 million in solar installation grants

All recipients offer support services to low-income and BIPOC communities

BELLEVUE, Wash. (3/4/2025) Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is expanding its Solar Grant program to new heights with more than $1 million in awards this year given throughout our service territory.

PSE has worked with local organizations and Tribes for nearly a decade, awarding an average of more than $700,000. This year, however, PSE increased the total awards amount to $1,127,961 spread out among 14 recipients.

 

The additional funds come from PSE’s Clean Energy Implementation Plan, which will increase the amount of clean electricity in its portfolio to more than 60 percent by 2025. Part of this plan includes energy efficiency programs such as our Solar Grant program.

 

"It's particularly rewarding at PSE when we can partner with our communities to help shape the energy system of the future together," PSE Senior Vice President and Chief Customer and Transformation Officer Aaron August said. "This year, we're bringing Solar Grants to more organizations than ever, working hand-in-hand with our community recipients so they can invest in what matters most to them, while reducing their energy bills."

 

Grant recipients include local non-profits and Tribal entities serving low-income and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community members. In addition to saving recipients money on their utilities, the projects will serve to increase clean energy accessibility in the region.

Ensuring the energy systems at organizations like Saving Pets One at a Time (SPOT) in Burlington are working at maximum efficiency won’t save the animals. But it will enable the shelter to put even more focus on the animals it cares for.

"Receiving this solar grant will significantly reduce our operating costs, allowing us to redirect vital resources toward rescuing and caring for more animals in need,” said SPOT Treasurer Robert Haught. “By transitioning to solar energy, we’re not only fostering a more sustainable future but also enhancing our ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the animals we serve.”

 

Projects funded by these grants generate a total of about 758,000 kWh, annually, equivalent to powering nearly 72 average homes, with newly installed solar around the Puget Sound region. PSE has provided $5.9 million in grant funding over the last 8 years, resulting in more than 2,800,000 kWh of annual energy added to the grid. PSE’s Solar Grant program will offer another competitive funding cycle in summer 2025.

 

Grant recipients partnered with local solar installation companies such as A&R Solar, Banner Electric, Barron Heating, Soltera Solar, Whidbey Sun and Wind, Ecotech Solar, Western Solar, Sphere Solar Energy, and South Sound Solar. The solar companies helped recipients complete their grant applications and will work to have their solar panels installed and producing energy in 2025.

 

List of recipients

Organization	County
Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue	King
Burlington Lutheran Church	Skagit
Community Boating Center	Whatcom
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services	Whatcom
El Centro de la Raza	King
Episcopal Retirement Communities	Kitsap
Habitat for Humanity – Whatcom County	Whatcom
Homes First – Leach	Thurston
Home First – Pinecrest	Pierce
Home First – Shadberry	Thurston
Island Roots Housing	Island
Khalsa Gurmat Center	King
Mount Vernon First United Methodist Church	Skagit
Nisqually – Spirit Center	Nisqually Tribe
North Kitsap Fishline	Kitsap
Saving Pets One at a Time	Skagit

Media Contact:
Gerald Tracy, 888-831-7250, psenewsroom@pse.com