We’re proud to have partnered with the Port of Bellingham, Puget Sound Energy, Silfab Solar, and Cascadia Renewables to bring a new community solar project to Fisherman’s Pavilion on the Bellingham waterfront.
Hosted by the Port of Bellingham, the Fisherman’s Pavilion installation is part of Puget Sound Energy’s Community Solar program, which allows participants to support locally generated renewable energy and receive utility bill credits without needing to install solar panels on their own homes.
This project was especially meaningful to our team because of its visibility, community impact, and role in expanding access to renewable energy. As a local company, we were excited by the opportunity to contribute to a landmark waterfront facility that serves the broader community. The project aligns closely with our mission of bringing clean energy to public spaces and creating lasting benefits for residents who may not otherwise have access to solar energy.
Expanding Access to Solar Energy
Community solar programs help remove barriers that can prevent people from benefiting from renewable energy. Renters, residents of multifamily housing, homeowners with shaded properties, low-income families, and others who may not be able to install solar on their own roofs can still participate in and benefit from locally generated clean energy.
Through this project, PSE will offer 68 shares of solar energy to enrolled customers, including 47 shares available at no cost to income-qualified participants. The energy generated by the system is delivered directly to the utility grid, supporting renewable energy production throughout the region while providing benefits to participating customers.
Located at one of Bellingham’s most recognizable waterfront facilities, the system also serves as a visible demonstration of clean energy in action. In addition to generating renewable electricity, it helps increase awareness of solar energy and supports broader sustainability goals throughout Whatcom County.
Building Solar on the Waterfront
The Fisherman’s Pavilion Community Solar Project features 301 solar panels manufactured by Silfab Solar and has a total installed capacity of 159.53 kW. The system is expected to generate approximately 154,219 kWh of clean electricity annually.
The waterfront location came with several unique design and construction considerations. The marine environment required additional review of environmental conditions, including salt air exposure and the potential impacts of seagull activity on installation, long-term performance, and maintenance. Because the site is a highly visible public gathering space, safety was a key focus throughout construction. Our team worked to complete the installation efficiently while maintaining safe access for visitors and waterfront activities.
This project also featured a unique interconnection design. Rather than serving the building’s electrical loads, the system was interconnected in front of the meter, allowing all of the energy it generates to feed directly into the utility grid as part of PSE’s Community Solar program.
A Project Built for the Community
What makes this project unique is not just the solar installation itself, but who it serves. By participating in the Community Solar program, local residents can support renewable energy and receive utility bill credits without needing to own a suitable rooftop or install a system of their own.
We’re honored to have played a role in a project that expands access to clean energy while showcasing the possibilities of community solar. As more communities look for ways to increase renewable energy adoption, projects like Fisherman’s Pavilion demonstrate how partnerships between utilities, public agencies, and local businesses can create lasting benefits for the people they serve.
