The solar project reduces the fire department’s annual energy burden by $30,200 in the first year. This will save the city over $750,000 on power costs across the next 30 years. The installation is projected to produce 140,000 kWhs per year of clean, renewable electricity. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas equivalencies, it will offset 223,648 pounds of CO2 emissions annually. That is equivalent to the amount of carbon captured by 102 acres of U.S. forest land every year, or 29 homes’ electricity use for one year.

With solar now generating long-term savings and reducing emissions, the City of Olympia continues to lead by example, showing that clean energy investments can strengthen public safety, fiscal stewardship, and community resilience. 

Olympia Community Solar supported the Olympia Fire Department by assisting with their request for proposal process and helping to select South Sound Energy as a trusted installer. We secured a grant from the Washington Department of Commerce to cover installation costs, meaning no upfront cost for the city. 

The City of Olympia honors and acknowledges the indigenous people who have stewarded this land since time immemorial and who still inhabit the area today, the Steh-Chass Band of Indigenous people of the Squaxin Island Tribe. 

The project was funded from a grant from the WA Department of Commerce Clean Energy Program.

Community Grants program, which is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. 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.

Community Impact

The solar installation at Fire Station #1 will reduce emissions, cut operational costs, and strengthen the city’s climate leadership. With no capital investment required, the system immediately begins generating savings, helping to redirect public funds toward vital emergency services and community programs.

“It’s been incredibly gratifying to see this project grow from an idea, to a plan, to a funding award, and now into a completed project. Clean energy is not only a climate solution, it’s also direct financial support for the emergency responders keeping our community safe.“

– Mason Rolph, Executive Director, Olympia Community Solar

The station’s solar array also serves as a powerful educational tool. Through the new display, residents can view live production data and explore how sunlight becomes electricity, linking local innovation with tangible community benefits.

Collaboration in Action

This project was made possible through the collective efforts of Olympia Community Solar, South Sound Solar, and the City of Olympia’s Climate Program, with funding from the Washington Department of Commerce via the Climate Commitment Act.

South Sound Solar’s installation team brought deep local experience, ensuring safety and precision while working on an active emergency services facility. Olympia Community Solar led project coordination and grant funding, guiding the effort from concept to completion.

“The Olympia Fire Department is proud and excited to be a partner in the community priority of protecting our climate through clean energy.  We are consistently dedicated to finding collaborative solutions to reduce cost of emergency services.“

– Matthew Morris, Fire Chief, City of Olympia

 

The Olympia Fire Station #1 solar installation sets a precedent for what’s possible when public agencies, local businesses, and community organizations collaborate toward shared sustainability goals.

“The City of Olympia Public Works Department is very proud to have its first net zero facility. We are already working on our next partnership to hopefully install another solar array to add a second net zero facility in 2026.“

– Eli Cole, Facility Manager, City of Olympia