Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation, Olympia Community Solar, A&R Solar Announce
Nisqually Market Solar Project

Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation (MCEC) and Olympia Community Solar are excited to announce a partnership for the Nisqually Yelm Highway Market Solar Project. Construction began on July 20, 2022, installing solar panels across the Yelm Highway Market building roofs to generate renewable energy.
The next time you drive through Nisqually, keep an eye out for the brand-new solar energy system on the convenience store across from the Red Wind Casino. The Nisqually Market Solar Project includes 146 solar panels across the market shops, convenience storefront, and gas carport. A&R Solar designed and installed the 65 kilowatt system.

“The MCEC Board of Directors created a Social Responsibility Policy to memorialize its commitment to being good stewards of our land. We want to lessen the impact our buildings have on the environment and on the community,” said MCEC Director of Business Development Tony Liberal. “Wherever there’s an opportunity for us to operate with more environmental responsibility, we want to do that.”

The grant-funded installation will reduce the Market’s energy bill saving more than $488,000 over the next forty years. The solar energy produced will reduce the market’s carbon footprint by 61 thousand pounds of CO2 emissions, equivalent to planting 738 trees every year, or not driving 111,266 miles.

Olympia Community Solar organized the development of the project and secured grants from the Puget Sound Energy Green Power Program to fund the project’s costs. The non-profit has recently supported local organizations such as Homes First, Quixote Communities, and the Olympia Farmers Market to install solar energy and are currently enrolling the Thurgood Marshall Community Solar project.

“Our team is ecstatic to have the opportunity to support the Nisqually Tribe’s journey towards energy independence” commented Olympia Community Solar President
Mason Rolph.

We’re excited to partner with the Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation to provide the Nisqually Market solar project with a Green Power Solar Grant, said PSE Director of Product Development Will Einstein. Creating a clean energy future is part of our core mission at PSE, and we are grateful for the Nisqually Tribe and Medicine Creek Enterprise Corporation’s leadership in environmental sustainability. We are honored to support this project and its strong community impact and look forward to future partnerships. Seattle-based solar installer A&R Solar designed and installed the MCEC solar project.

“We’re honored to have partnered with Olympia Community Solar to deliver on their mission to bring more clean, renewable energy to the communities that will benefit from it the most.” Stated Reeves Clippard, CEO and Co-Founder of A&R Solar.