Funded in part by an Evergreen Options grant in partnership with Tacoma Power, a new solar installation at the Oasis of Hope Center in Tacoma was celebrated with a ribbon cutting. The Oasis of Hope Center has a 31.68 kW system, which will generate an estimated 33,000 kWh annually. Thanks to the cost savings from lower energy bills, the center will have more funds available for youth services.

The ribbon cutting event was paired with a career exploration workshop where community members had the opportunity to learn more about how solar power works, the environmental benefits of generating zero-emission electricity from the sun, and clean energy career pathways. 

The educational activities were presented by Sphere Solar Energy, which also installed the solar array. “The community here doesn’t have a lot of education or experience with renewable energy,” said Tim Thomas, executive director of the center. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the neighborhood’s learning journey about clean energy began.

For the Oasis of Hope, the solar installation is more than functional. It represents the community center’s commitment to clean energy and a carbon-free future. For nonprofits like the center, budgets are tight and capital-intensive projects are often out of reach. “Usually, the biggest barrier to entry to solar and clean energy is the upfront cost,” said Edwin Wanji, CEO and founder of Sphere Solar Energy. With generous funding support, the financial benefits will accrue into the future. Thanks to the cost savings from lower energy bills, the center will have more funds available for youth services. For the Oasis of Hope, the solar installation is more than functional. It represents the community center’s commitment to clean energy and a carbon-free future.