Puget Sound Energy awards more than $900k in new Solar Grants

All recipients offer support services to historically marginalized community members within PSE’s electric service area

BELLEVUE, Wash. (2/17/2026) Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Solar Grants have empowered local groups and organizations to reduce their energy costs and support clean energy for nearly a decade. Now, in its ninth year, 12 more organizations are set to achieve significant savings on their energy bills through new solar installations.

These solar installations help community-based organizations, government agencies, and Tribal entities save money through lower utility bills, freeing up more funding to support their communities. This year's awards total $914,689 across 12 organizations, reflecting PSE's ongoing commitment to the program, which has provided an average of more than $691,000 annually since 2017. These grants are funded through our voluntary Green Power program, which means participating customers make this happen.

Beyond the direct cost savings for recipients, these projects advance clean energy throughout the region, creating lasting environmental benefits for all.

“At PSE, we take immense pride in empowering our communities to embrace clean, renewable energy through our Solar Grants program,” PSE Director of Customer Energy Innovation John Mannetti said. “For nearly a decade, we’ve had the privilege of supporting local organizations in their transition to solar power and this year marks yet another milestone on the journey.”

This includes community-based organizations like the Snoqualmie Valley Foodbank, who says this award will help cover a significant portion of their expected electrical bill, enabling them to focus on their community-driven missions and filling their neighbors’ bellies.

This includes community-based organizations like the Snoqualmie Valley Foodbank, who say this award will help cover a significant portion of their expected electrical bill, enabling them to focus on their community-driven missions and filling their neighbors’ bellies.

“This solar installation will defray up to 80 percent of our expected electrical expenses, a significant savings for the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank, particularly as the new site has increased power demands (more coolers and freezers to safely store food) over our current location,” said Snoqualmie Valley Foodbank Board President Terry Pottmeyer. “This grant helps us create a more sustainable, energy efficient food bank, an important step toward meeting our mission to end food insecurity in our community.”

The annual generation of the projects is expected to be about 550,000 kWh, annually, equivalent to powering nearly 52 average homes, with newly installed solar from the Puget Sound region.

Another recipient is the YWCA of Bellingham, whose mission to serve as a place of refuge and resilience for women experiencing housing insecurity in Whatcom County has been ongoing since 1915. The solar array addition is estimated to save $6,500 each year, meaning more money for the nonprofit to focus on its’ full mission of serving shelter, support, stability and community to the women in their neighborhoods.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Puget Sound Energy for this investment in clean energy at YWCA Bellingham,” YWCA CEO Alle Schene said. “The energy savings from these solar installations will directly support our programming and help ensure long-term impact for the people we serve. Thank you, PSE!”

In addition to the grants awarded this year, PSE has provided an additional $5 million in Solar Grant funding over the last 8 years, resulting in more than 3,133,000 kWh of annual generation. PSE’s Solar Grant program will release another competitive funding cycle in summer 2026.

Recipients partnered with local solar installation companies such as A&R Solar, Artisan Electric, Ecotech Solar, Ellensburg Solar, Northwest Electric & Solar, Puget Sound Solar, Solterra, South Sound Solar, and Western Solar. The solar companies helped recipients complete their grant applications and will work to have their solar panels installed and producing energy in 2026.

Learn more about the PSE’s Solar Grant Program here.

List of recipients:

Organization	County
Bothell United Methodist Church	King
FISH Food Bank	Kittitas
Habitat for Humanity of Kitsap County	Kitsap
Homes First	Thurston
Indian American Community Services	King
Muckleshoot Housing Authority	King
Nooksack Valley Food Bank	Whatcom
Oxbow Farm and Conservation center	King
RE Sources	Whatcom
Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank	King
Suquamish Tribe	Kitsap
YWCA Bellingham	Whatcom

Media Contact:

Gerald Tracy, 1-888-831-7250, psenewsroom@pse.com

 

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