Local parishioner Stan Gent’s vision for energy independence, savings and resilience came to fruition in Fall 2024 as the 125-kW PV and 245-kWh battery energy storage system (BESS) came online at the Edmonds United Methodist Church (EUMC). This system will provide $13,000 in energy savings per year and be a community hub during lengthy power outages. The clean energy production will offset 12.4 tons of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to 233,000 car miles and 268 long haul flights, over its lifetime.

A significant portion of this project was funded by the generosity of EUMC. Another significant portion of this project was funded by the WSU Community Solar Expansion Program. The goal of this program is to include low-income and marginalized communities in an equitable energy transition from fossil fuels. Often, solar and storage have been reserved for homeowners and businesses with disposable income and the most energy burdened individuals rarely reap the benefits of clean energy and storage. The WSU program aims to invite these folks to a seat at the table and have a voice in the clean energy transition.

The benefits will flow to the EUMC’s refugee services, daycare and the Edmonds Food Bank, which is located in the EUMC and serves 40,000 pounds of food to over 800 families every week.

The project was designed, installed, permitted, and commissioned by Forecast Energy, a local solar and storage company based in Snohomish County. The system consists of 296 roof-mounted QCells solar modules and 100 kW AC of SolarEdge inverter power AC coupled with 245 kWh and 60 kW AC of Sol-Ark BESS energy and power. The system is net metered through Snohomish PUD. The PUD is looking into the feasibility of using this as a virtual power plant (VPP) which would be the first of its kind in the area and strengthen grid resilience.