Puget Sound Energy recently partnered with the Issaquah School District to install its third Community Solar site, allowing PSE customers in East King County to benefit from renewable energy.

Community Solar is a voluntary renewable energy program that allows customers to subscribe to 100 percent local solar energy. Puget Sound Energy has partnered with communities and organizations across its service area to build multiple new, local solar energy installations for the program.

The Community Solar program launched in 2021 with two other sites located within its service area; one in Kittitas County near Ellensburg and the other at Olympia High School, with more sites to come.

This installation at Pine Lake Middle School features 480 solar panels and provides 175 kilowatts of AC power, enabling customers to share the benefits of solar without the need to install or maintain their own rooftop solar array.

“Being able to offer our customers the option to subscribe to renewable energy generated within our communities is helping us work together to create a clean energy future for all,” said Andy Wappler, PSE Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer.

The solar installation contributes to the Issaquah School District’s mission of encouraging students to be stewards of the environment while providing opportunities for further education about the benefits of renewable energy.

“Sustainability is one of the pillars my superintendency has been built on, in an effort to encourage environmental stewardship. While the district has received national awards for these efforts, providing green power is yet another great example of showing how the district and our students care about the planet,” said Ron Thiele, Issaquah School District Superintendent.

Puget Sound Energy will target reducing its own carbon emissions to net zero and go beyond by helping other sectors to enable carbon reduction across the state of Washington. The company has set an aspirational goal to be a Beyond Net Zero Carbon company by 2045.