Bellingham Public Schools Partners with Western Solar and Cascadia Renewables for Grant-Funded Solar Arrays

Bellingham Public Schools Partners with Western Solar and Cascadia Renewables for Grant-Funded Solar Arrays

Five BPS Schools to Receive Solar Arrays in 2025

Bellingham, Wash. – June 9, 2025 – Bellingham Public Schools (BPS) is excited to announce a new partnership with Western Solar and Cascadia Renewables to install grant-funded solar arrays on five BPS schools. This initiative is part of BPS’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and its Climate Action Plan.

Installation of the arrays is scheduled to take place over the summer and fall of 2025 at Alderwood Elementary School, Happy Valley Elementary School, Sunnyland Elementary School, Shuksan Middle School and Options High School. Each of these schools was built “solar-ready,” allowing BPS to act as soon as funding for solar arrays became available.

The solar array installation project is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.

These solar arrays represent a significant step forward in BPS’s sustainability efforts and its commitment to reducing the district’s carbon footprint.

Additionally, the installation of solar arrays will provide immediate utility savings for the schools, reducing operating costs and promoting energy efficiency. The initial estimate of utility savings from the arrays for the first year is $165,000.

“In Bellingham Public Schools, we are proud of our commitment to sustainability and renewable energy initiatives,” BPS Chief Operating Officer Jessica Sankey said. “In partnership with valued local businesses Western Solar and Cascadia Renewables, we look forward to the positive impact these solar arrays will have on both the environment and educational opportunities for students.”

BPS is also in the initial stages of developing K-12 lessons and curriculum that will use the solar arrays as a learning lab for students, providing hands-on experiences in areas like environmental science, manufacturing and engineering.

“The upcoming installations of the solar PV systems will offer district students the opportunity to experience a more sustainable vision of the future of energy,” Kristina Daeley, Western Solar’s commercial project manager said. “Western Solar will proudly support hands-on student learning in the coming years.”

Cascadia Renewables was selected as BPS’s Owner’s Representative for the project, while Western Solar was selected as the contractor to procure and install the equipment.

“This project exemplifies what’s possible when local partnerships, public funding, and shared purpose come together,” Markus Virta, managing partner at Cascadia Renewables, said. “These systems aren’t just about carbon reduction—they’re about equipping students with the knowledge and tools to lead in the clean energy future. We’re committed to supporting Bellingham Public Schools in accessing funding for projects that support educational experiences meant to provide students with real exposure to the opportunities and challenges of a changing energy landscape.”

For more information, please contact:

Bellingham Public Schools: Dana Smith, media liaison.
Phone: 360-676-6520, Email: dana.smith@bellinghamschools.org,  Website: www.bellinghamschools.org

Western Solar:  Kristina Daeley, commercial project manager. Phone: 360-746-0859, Email: kristina@westernsolarinc.com, Website: www.westernsolarinc.com

Cascadia Renewables: Markus Virta, co-founder. Phone: 360-201-2067, Email: markus@cascadiarenewables.com, Website: www.cascadiarenewables.com